I know - Vintage hasn't won a single game. Even though in the Year Everyone Improved, they also are better, basically they are the only team that can't compete in the Danville Winter League.
Nonetheless, the Wolfpack routed them 18-8, and it wasn't that close, as we relaxed in the ninth after we were up 18-4, and gave up four gift runs. It's easy to say, but we played relaxed and with confidence. It would be good if we played this way against the better teams, as we seem to press too much in those games.
Lots of players had great hitting games - Selwyn (solo home run), Paul D, and Marc were all 4-5 and rapped line drives all over the field. Heffe was 2-2 with two walks, and John L, Paul L, Steve and JP all had multi-hit games.
But the game belonged to Ladd. He was merely 4-4 plus a walk, with two home runs and five RBIs. And his three run gapper that rolled forever in the third inning put us ahead 5-3 for the game winning RBI and we never looked back.
That was necessary to put us ahead because we had had a defensive meltdown in the bottom of the second when we gave away three or four outs. But the Vintage could only capitalize on our gifts by plating a mere two runs out of the rally. And so we trailed only 3-2 going into the third.
After that, we played one of the most solid defensive games we've had in a while. There were several highlight reel plays: Dave made a spectacular catch in the first on a smashed line drive to right that appeared to still be rising when he snatched it out of the air. Heffe ranged far (for an old guy) into foul territory beyond first to snag a pop fly in the third. In the fifth Paul D grabbed a hot line drive up the middle at rover, and the other Paul (L) ranged far to catch a fly with the sun in his eyes in left. And then the pitchers got into the action. In the sixth, pitcher Chris stuck his glove out from behind the screen to spear a crushed line drive. Not to be outdone, a couple innings later JP did the same - the ball dropped out of his glove however, but he still calmly got the ball to first in plenty of time to get the out.
Overall one of our better all around games. granted, the weak opponent. But now is the test - we trail the last playoff spot by a half a game to the Crows, who we play in the coming week. We are only two games out of second place. Now would be a good time to get on a run, and build momentum for the stretch drive. One at a time, but this is one that we want!
