Tale of Two Games, Fall Edition – 9/27 vs. The Pineapples & 10/4 vs dickbat.biz

Both Triffid & Zeb played major roles in our win over the Pineapples: Zeb with a 3 for 3 day including a game-tying home run; Triffid with her usual excellent pitching plus a 2-run double

I’m behind on the game recaps, but in fact our last two games present mirror images of each other, as the final September game & the first in October ended with the same final score: 8-5. Unfortunately, we were only on the “eight” side for one of the two.

Our game against the Pineapples took place on a lovely afternoon with a summer feeling. I’d seen part of two Pineapples games, & was aware of two things: their hitters aren’t exceptional, but they play very good defense. The latter in particular was on display that day.

Lauren hit in tough luck against the Pineapples, but did draw a walk & score a run, & played her usual strong defensive game

After holding the Pineapples scoreless in the first, we got the game off to a strong start as Lauren led off with a walk & Zeb followed with a single. With one out (the first of several the Pineapples shortstop recorded on fine plays), Triffid came through with a 2-run double. Unfortunately, we were unable to add on, & again, their shortstop played a role in this, robbing Bryce on a line shot that seemed ticketed for center field.

In a game where every base runner mattered, Nicole worked two walks, & played solidly at second

The Pineapples took the lead in top of the second, as they strung together two triples & a single; & although we were able to load the bases in the bottom of the inning on a single by Kristina & walks to Emily H & Nicole, we weren’t able to score.

Mark went 2 for 3 with a triple & a big rbi single; he also played a good game at shortstop

Once again the Pineapples put together a rally in the third with three singles to increase their lead to 4-2, & we were unable to score in either the third or the fourth innings. We certainly had our chance in the fourth inning, though the inning began inauspiciously. Bryce led off & smoked a line drive that was ticketed for the right field line, but the Pineapples first base man managed to snag it. At the time I was thinking. “This just may not be our day.” But yours truly followed with a walk, & after Kristina reached on a fielder’s choice, Mark smashed an extra base hit. Mark had an easy triple, but unfortunately a good throw from the outfield & a fine relay from the second base man put Kristina out at the plate on a close play.

Rob had a huge rbi double in the fifth inning; Bryce is in the background, patrolling center--despite being robbed twice, Bryce came up big with an rbi double in the sixth; Nicole at second

We could take some consolation in the fact that the Pineapples didn’t score in the fourth or fifth. In the bottom of the fifth with one out, Cameron doubled, then Nicole worked her second walk of the game. Rob followed with an RBI double, & we trailed by only one run, 4-3.

Emily also drew two walks, including a big two-out at bat in the bottom of the sixth that allowed Cameron to come up with the bases juiced

Cameron had two doubles, including the big 2-run double in the bottom of the sixth

The Pineapples were unable to add to their lead in the sixth, & the bottom of the sixth turned out to be our inning. Zeb led off by smashing a home run to tie the game, then Matt doubled. With one out, Bryce doubled to score Matt. After a second out was recorded, Kristina singled & Mark followed with an rbi single. Emily H then reached on a walk, & Cameron came through with his second double of the day to score both Kristina & Mark. We had an 8-4 lead—& while the Pineapples were able to make things interesting in the seventh, they only could add a single run, & we had an 8-5 win.

Nicole, Emily H, & Kristina during one of our at bats early in the game; we only had 10 at the game, so everyone was in the field!

Our game against dickbat.biz on 10/4 was the first of two consecutive 10:30 a.m. start times against teams ahead of us in the standings. Both Underhanded Compliments & dickbat.biz came into the game with only one loss, but dickbat.biz had given up fewer runs. We were about to find out why they’d been so stingy with runs.

Triffid pitched a strong game as always, & scored a run after notching a base hit in the fourth

Kristina had an rbi single!

dickbat.biz scored two runs in the top of the first, & despite a single by Lauren & a double by Emily K in the bottom of the inning, we were unable to score. Our opponents added a third run in the second, & we were only able to record one single in the second, a base hit by yours truly. Emily H & Kristina were both robbed of hits by fine defensive plays by their shortstop & left fielder respectively, & that was the inning.

Big game for Lauren! 3 for 4 & an incredible performance in left field, denying dickbat.biz of one hit after another

We were able to hold dickbat.biz scoreless in the top of the third, & I want to underline that our fielding was more than solid throughout the game. In addition, it has to be noted that Lauren played an incredible game in left field. She was tested constantly, yet whether the dickbat players hit long fly balls, shots toward the gap, or bloops just past the infield, she proved equal to the test. In my mind, Lauren was without question player of the game.

Mark had a single & played a really solid game at short

In the third, Lauren came up with one out & recorded her second base hit, & Mark followed with a single. Unfortunately the rally died as a second out was recorded & then Emily K was robbed on a good play by their right-center fielder.

Emily H had an rbi single too!

After holding dickbat.biz scoreless in the top of the fourth, we were trailing 3-0. But Triffid & yours truly led off with singles, & then Emily H & Kristina each followed with an rbi single. Sadly, the rally died there, as three consecutive outs were recorded to leave two crucial runners on base. Still, we went into the fifth trailing by only one run!

Emily K went 2 for 4 with a single & a double, continuing her strong hitting in the Fall League

But the fifth turned out to be the inning for dickbat.biz, & when the dust had settled they’d scored four runs to take a 7-2 lead. They held us in the bottom of the inning, with only Emily K reaching on a single, & then added an eighth run in the top of the sixth.

Nicole played sick, & what a gamer she was! Big rbi double during our sixth inning rally, then scored from second on a close play following Lauren's single!

But the Underhanded Compliments played with so much heart that day, & we weren’t about to concede. Yours truly led off with a single—& then two outs were recorded! Things looked bleak, but Steven singled & Nicole smacked an rbi single, & Lauren came through with a 2-out 2-run single to cap her strong performance. The rally ended there, but it was 8-5 dickbat.biz, & after holding them scoreless in the top of the seventh, we had a puncher’s chance.

Steven had a single & scored a run in the bottom of the sixth

It wasn’t to be. We went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning. It was a tough loss, but a loss with no shame in it. We’d played without some of our best players, with only 10 players at the game, & had played a tight game against one of the strongest teams in the league.

Cameron at the plate against dickbat.biz

Next week: 10/11 vs The Syndicate! (weather gods permitting)

The Game that Almost Wasn’t – 9/20 vs. The Beestroyers

Zeb at the plate - no question in my mind he was "Player of the game" with 3 homers & 7 rbis!

When I showed up at Irving Park last Sunday—early as usual—for our game against the Beestroyers, I expected to watch some of the game between Yur’s Bar & the Pineapples; but what I found instead was a group of the Pineapples milling around, playing catch, & generally taking stock of a situation that included virtually no players from Yur’s Bar. Indeed, the 1:30 game had been a forfeit.

So what were the odds that our game would also be a forfeit? Slim, right? It was a beautiful late summer Sunday, perfect for a game of softball. Who wouldn’t want to come out on such a day? But in fact, as the time for our game drew near & the Underhanded Compliments gathered, we discovered that the Beestroyers didn’t have enough players, & weren’t sure enough would show up—in fact, they suspected strongly that they wouldn’t get the minimum eight players.

Lauren at the plate: a model of consistency & skill. 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored & 2 driven in.

Various options were discussed; we wanted to play, so at one point we agreed to a scrimmage that would involve loaning the Beestroyers a couple of our players. In addition, a player from the Syndicate had showed up very early for his 4:30 game, so the Beestroyers recruited him. & then, just as the forfeit was about to become a fait accompli, a couple of Beestroyers came to the rescue, & they had a nine-player team.

Mark at the plate: speaking of models of consistency--4 for 4 with 3 rbis!

The Beestroyers went down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, & Lauren started off the first for us with a single. Zeb—who had a monster day (& is having a monster season after 3 games!) rocked a homer to deep right field, & we were up two just like that. Matt singled, & then with one out, Bryce also hit a home run. Mark followed with a triple, but we were unable to bring him home. Still, we had a 4-0 lead after one.

Matt lamented that he had few rbi chances with all of Zeb's home runs, but he did go 2 for 3 & added a sacrifice fly the one time Zeb didn't homer!

The Beestroyers were able to answer however, as their first two batters reached base, & both ended up scoring. We were able to escape the inning without further damage though, in part because of a great catch made by Mark, ranging from his shortstop position well in to left field, to record the third out with two runners on base.

Kristina went 4 for 4 & scored 3 runs!

We really got our offense going in the bottom of the inning. Kristina, Emily H, & Rob led off with singles, the latter scoring Kristina. Nicole then drove Emily home on a fielder’s choice, & after a second out was recorded, we rallied in a big way. Zeb hit yet another 2-run homer, Matt tripled, Triffid singled him home, Bryce doubled, then Mark singled to score both Triffid & Bryce. Just like that we were up 11-2, & the Beestroyers went quietly in the top of the third.

If I could name two "Players of the game" Emily H would definitely be my choice along with Zeb - possibly her best game ever with the team. 3 for 4, 3 runs scored & an rbi! Really solid contact too!

The third turned out to be even a better inning for the Underhanded Compliments. Yours truly led off with a single, as did Kristina—& then Emily H smacked a liner to center for an rbi. Rob came through with an rbi double, & Nicole followed with a 2-run single. Lauren also singled, & then Zeb doubled to score Nicole. Matt hit a sacrifice fly to drive in another run with the inning’s first out, & then in succession, Triffid singled, Bryce doubled, & Mark singled; after a second out was recorded, yours truly came up again & drove in the ninth run with a single to center.

Nicole attacking the ball! Big 2-run single for her in the third, & a total of 3 rbis!

Having reached the run limit, we moved to the fourth inning, & the Beestroyers did score a single run. But we were back in business in the bottom of the inning as Kristina & Emily H started us off with singles, & Rob followed with an rbi double. With one out, Lauren hit a 2-run single, & then Zeb hit his third 2-run homer of the day! The amazing thing is the Beestroyers insisted on playing him at medium depth (at best) in right field, though the way those balls were crushed it wouldn’t have made much difference. Five more runs on the board & a 25-3 lead.

No matter where he bats in the order, Rob is an rbi machine! Really great addition to the club too, as he is willing & able also to play several positions in the field.

The Beestroyers did plate two runs in the fifth, but we matched that in the bottom of the inning as Bryce led off with a homer, followed by a double from Mark, who was then driven home by Emily K’s single. The Beestroyers were held scoreless in the sixth, & the game was called both for time & score. We won 27-5; you could say we "beestroyed the Beestroyers."

Emily K put on exclamation point on the proceedings with an rbi single in the fifth inning

The next three games are all against teams ahead of us in the standings: 9/27 vs. The Pineapples, who are also 2-1, though one of those wins was the forfeit by Yur’s Bar (which also means they’ve allowed fewer runs), then 10/4 & 10/11 against the two currently undefeated teams, dickbat.biz & the Syndicate. Of course, one of those teams will have a loss after 9/27, because they’re facing off against each other in the 10:30 game!

Triffid was 2 for 4 batting clean up, with 3 runs scored & 2 driven in; & pitched a great game as always!

Next week: 9/27 vs. The Pineapples!

Not Quite: 9/13/15 vs Yurs Bar

Triffid had a great game recording four strikeouts & no walks (as usual!) She was named Player of the Day - with Emily K at third base

Sunday September 13th was an ideal day for a softball game: warm & sunny, & a summer feeling in the air; & the Underhanded Compliments & Yurs Bar (AKA Up Yurs) played a rollicking softball game indeed, going to extra innings, Unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end of a 19-18 score.

We got off to a solid start in the first inning, as Zeb, Lauren, & Matt led off with consecutive singles, & then Rob followed with a 2-run double, & Emily K added on with a 2-run single. Unfortunately, we were unable to add on, & Yurs scored 3 runs in answer in the bottom of the inning. We were playing as the visiting team, & that may have been a crucial factor in this tight game.

Rob also had a big game going 3 for 5 with two doubles, a triple &  6 rbis!

Mark led off the second with a home run, then with one out, Kristina & Zeb each singled. Following a second out, Matt singled home Kristina & Rob doubled in Zeb & Matt. Yurs only scored one in the bottom of the inning, & after two we led 8-4.

Kristina had a big hit in the second

Unfortunately, we were unable to score in the third, & Yurs scored in the bottom of the third to go up 9-8. But we answered in the top of the fourth: With one out, Zeb smashed a homer to right, then Lauren walked & Matt followed with a 2-run homer. We had a two-run lead! Admittedly, in slow pitch softball two runs are practically nothing.

Huge day for Zeb: 5 for 5, 4 runs scored, including 2 homers & a triple!

The lead was indeed short-lived as Yurs again put up 5 runs in the bottom of the fourth to go back on top 16-11. We got one back in the top of the fifth; with two outs, Triffid tripled & Mark sent her home with a double. & we were finally able to hold Yurs scoreless in the bottom of the inning!

Emily K was 2 for 4 plus a walk, including a homer & 4 rbis!

The sixth was our big inning. With one out, Zeb hit his second home run, Lauren & Matt singled, & Rob hit a 2-run triple. Emily K then rocked a 2-run home run to left center, & we’d taken a 17-16 lead! & we held Yurs scoreless again in the bottom of the sixth!

In the top of the seventh, Mark led off with a single—his fourth hit on the day—& after two outs were recorded, Zeb tripled to right. We had a two-run lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

Mark had a big 4 for 4 game, including a homer & a double.

Yurs put its first two runners on, but then a base running blunder by them & a great, heads up play by Triffid & Zeb led to a double play. There was a runner on second with two outs, & we had a 2-run lead.

Lauren was 2 for 4 plus a walk, with three runs scored

Sad to say, the next Yurs batter smashed a ball into the left center field gap. Lauren made a valiant attempt to track it down, but when the dust cleared, the ball went to the fence for a 2-run inside the park homer. The next batter flied out to Rob, but the game was tied at 18.

It’s unusual for Underdog Sports league games to go to extra innings because the games are run on a tight schedule. However, our game was the final game of the day, & so we went to the eighth inning. We went down quietly in the top of the inning—our only base runner was Emily K, who worked a 2-out walk.

Matt on the move! 4 for 5 including a homer, 4 runs scored & 4 rbis

The leadoff batter for Yurs doubled, & then we recorded an out. But the next Yurs batter absolutely crushed a ball to deep right field—actually, more like left field on Field #2. Emily H had zero chance of getting to the ball, which would have been a home run, but of course once the runner on second scored, the game was over.

It was a tough loss. While we’ve been scoring a lot of runs, we’ve been surrendering a lot so far this fall as well. But one thing for sure: this is no fault of Triffid, who really pitched a great game & was let down by the defense on several occasions. Triffid recorded 4 strikeouts without a walk (the latter almost goes without saying), & was named player of the day.

We’ll hope to get back on the winning side on 9/20 (today, actually!) against the Beestroyers!


Next Week: The Beestroyers!

Fall Opener – 8/23/15 vs All My Subs

Opening Day Line-up!: L-R: Emily K: 3B; Kristina: OF; Derek: OF; Triffid: P; Zeb: 1B; Cameron: C; Matt: OF; Justin: OF; John: 2B; Mark: SS

As we approached the opening game of fall season, not only were the Underhanded Compliments about to play All My Subs…for a while it looked as though we ourselves could have used that for a team name (or at least a sort of sub-title.) In fact, up until a few days before the game, it looked like five of our full-time players in addition to all three subs who’d signed on would be unavailable for the first game! That left us with only seven players.

We launched into a recruiting campaign, & were able to find 3 more subs; then it turned out one of the players who thought she’d miss the game was available after all, so going into Sunday, we seemed to have eleven. But one of the subs had to bail out because of a work situation, so as it turned out, we played the game with exactly ten players.

Zeb's first inning homer

All My Subs opened the scoring with one run in the top of the first, but we answered back loud & clear. In fact, after one out was recorded, Zeb, in his return to the team after taking the summer off, blasted a long home run to right field, & Matt, Emily K, & Mark followed with consecutive doubles to increase the lead to 3-1. After the second out was recorded, Triffid began a string of six batters getting hits with a double of her own to drive in Mark. Justin, who was one of the new subs & who finished the day 4 for 4 with an rbi & 2 runs scored, lined a single, then Cameron doubled, Kristina & Derek (our other new sub, who had a great day both at the plate & in the field) singled, & Zeb doubled to end the scoring. We’d sent 13 batters to the plate & scored 8 runs.

Mark went 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored & 2 rbis

However, All My Subs is an experienced team filled with capable players, & they scored five runs themselves in the top of the second to cut the lead to 8-6. But we kept up the attack during our turn at bat. Emily K, Mark & yours truly started the inning off with singles, & then Triffid hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Mark. Justin followed with a single & Cameron drove in another run on a fielder’s choice. Kristina & Derek again had back-to-back base hits & Zeb then smoked a 2-run triple—he had three legs of the cycle in the second inning! Emily K & Mark followed with singles, which brought us to the 9-run maximum.

Big game for Emily K: 4 for 4 including a double & triple; also a walk, 3 runs scored, 3 rbis, & her usual strong play at third base

We led 17-6, & that seemed like a safe enough lead. Also, through 2 innings we’d been able to score almost at will, so we were looking forward to a romp. All My Subs had other plans however, & followed our 9-run maximum with one of their own in the top of the third! Now the score was 17-15, & anyone’s game.

Cameron checked in with 2 for 4, including a triple, & 4 rbis!

Yours truly led off the bottom of the third with a base hit, then with one out Justin also singled. Cameron followed by crushing a ball to center for a two-run triple, though he was thrown out at the plate trying for four—& that was the end of the scoring.

We held All My Subs scoreless in the fourth, & Derek led off the bottom half with yet another base hit. She went 4 for 5 on the day, scored 2 runs, drove in 2 more, & played a solid game in the outfield. After two were out, Emily K (who also had a big day at the plate) hit an rbi triple.

Great debut with the Underhanded Compliments for Derek!

Things remained tight from here on out, & All My Subs actually took the lead, 21-20 in the top of the sixth. But Kristina & Derek once more packed a one-two punch as each singled to start the inning. With one out, Matt doubled Emily walked, & Mark singled. Yours truly followed with an rbi fielder’s choice, & we had a 23-21 lead. All My Subs managed one base hit in the top of the seventh, but the other three batters made outs & the game was ours.

Kristina had a great 3 for 4 day!

Matt was named player of the game as he made some great plays in center field & also went 3 for 5 with two doubles. Obviously there were a number of other worthy candidates as well!

Matt was player of the game based on both great hitting & great fielding!

This Sunday will be another tough match-up: versus The Syndicate!


UPDATE: The game against The Syndicate was rained out, & Underdog is taking Labor Day weekend off. Our next scheduled game is September 13th vs. Yurs Bar. There may or may not be a new blog post in the interim.

The Champ(s)! – 8/3 vs. The Therminators

The Champs! L-R: Cameron, Emily K, Kristina, Nicole, Matt, Gustav, Triffid, Steven, Mark, John, Emily H, Lauren, Bryce

Monday August 3rd brought the Underhanded Compliments to the game we’d all been waiting for: the Summer League Championship final versus the Therminators. The game was a rematch of last year’s title game, in which we’d defeated the Therminators 20-4 to take the 2014 title. So here we were again, defending champs, with a record of 8-0, trying to finish off a perfect season!

We’d dominated the Therminators in a game earlier this season, winning 28-3; but I suspected they were going to prove to be stiffer competition in this game. Indeed, they came out hitting, racking up two singles in the first three batters, & scoring two runs on a 2-out triple.

Cameron played a really inspired game both at bat & in the field

But we were able to answer in the bottom of the first. Gustav, playing his final game with the Underhanded Compliments, led off with a walk, & Lauren & Matt followed with  singles, the latter scoring Gustav. Bryce then hit a 2-run triple, & Emily K came through with a sacrifice fly to center to send Bryce home. Mark singled, then after the second out was recorded (with Mark taking second on a grounder), yours truly doubled to drive him in. We led 5-2.

Triffid had a great season pitching, with a 6-0 record!

But the Therminators were far from done. Their lead-off hitter singled, & with one out the next batter drew a walk; this was followed by yet another 2-run triple! But we were able to strand that runner on third base & maintain a narrow lead.

Steven at short, Gustav in left: great games by both!

Steven led off the bottom of the second with a single, & with one out, Cameron hit a hustle double to put runners on second & third. Kristina followed with an rbi infield single (aided by a really heads up deke from Cameron at second that delayed the shortstop’s throw to first). After the second out was recorded, Lauren drew a walk & Matt came through with a clutch 2-out, 2-run single to increase our lead to 8-4.

Kristina made a fine catch in right & had an rbi single!

The Therminators were not quitting, however. Their lead-off batter singled, & with one out, another single put runners on the corners. Kristina made a fine catch on a fly ball to right field that followed, but it was deep enough to score the runner on third. Fortunately, Steven was able to make a fine running catch from his shortstop position on a pop up to shallow left to end the rally.

Emily H had a big clutch rbi single in the 4th!

We were held scoreless in the bottom of the inning, & despite loading the bases in the top of the fourth, the Therminators also failed to score. In our half of the fourth the first two batters made outs, but Steven came through with a triple, & then Emily H lined a clutch rbi single to the outfield. Cameron doubled again, but we were unable to score further. We held the Therminators scoreless in the top of the fifth, & then Gustav led off by drawing another base on balls. Lauren singled, but both Gustav & Lauren were retired going for the extra base. Matt came through with a 2-out double, however, & Bryce sent him home with a triple. Going into the top of the sixth we led 10-5.

Bryce in center & Nicole at second reacting to a ball in play. Nicole had another solid game in the field, & Bryce was tremendous as always!

Gustav made a couple of fine plays in left field in the sixth, but the Therminators were able to score a run; the inning was brought to a close on a truly heads up & skillful play by Emily K on a slow grounder to third. Still, we were able to answer during our at bats. Mark led off with a double, & with one out yours truly singled to score him. After the second out was recorded, Steven tripled to drive in yet another run, & we led 12-6.

Emily K played her usual great game at third & had a big rbi in the first

Going into the seventh, it looked like we had the game in hand. Their lead off batter hit a pop up to Emily K, & while the next batter tripled, we were able to record the second out on a routine fly to left.

It was at this point that all hell broke loose—2 outs & one on, with a 6 run lead….what could go wrong? In fact, the next six Therminators batters all reached base on a series of hits & errors, & suddenly the score was 12-11 us with the tying run on second & the go ahead run on first. Their batter made hard contact, sending a drive to left—but Gustav was able to run it down, & with that, the title was ours! How appropriate that Gustav recorded the final out for us in his final game, & on a fine play at that.

The winning bracket!

It was a great season. We finished 9-0, to improve our 2-year record in the Irving Summer Weeknight League to 17-0-1, with back-to-back championships. We outscored our opponents this season 178 to 69, & we put up a team slash line (batting average/on base percentage/slugging percentage) of .627/.637/1.043. Most importantly, however, the team had a lot of fun, always supported each other, & created a great atmosphere. So proud of these folks!

Final standings & a nice write-up by Underdog Sports

We’ll be on hiatus for a bit until we start up Fall League on August 23rd!