Let It Shine Bright Green, 24-19 over Scarlett

In a game that featured a tremendous roaring comeback by the snake bit Scarlett team, the Green Machine pushed through for a 24-19 win.

The Lantern was lit for 5 1/2 innings as Mark Narciso held off the powerful Scarlett lineup to three runs in the first. We weren't hitting on all cylinders ourselves, yet had built a comfortable 14-3 lead. Highlights included two run doubles by Greg Wilson in the first, and by Tony Gorgone and Chris Nielsen in the fifth. Wilson also had two booming home runs - a solo shot in the fourth and a three run job in the sixth.

We couldn't hold off the Red Menace forever, and they plated six in their half of the sixth. We answered with our only five spot of the day in the next frame, but had a complete meltdown defensively in the bottom of the seventh, and their balls were finding holes besides the ones we were giving away. They knotted the game at 19.

Then a remarkable thing happened - we reverted to our solid defensive form and held Scarlett scoreless for the last two innings. In the mean time, Matt Meredith put us up with a massive home run to left center, and a few batters later, Darren Bobrosky sent a laser even further in the same direction for a two run shot.

In the top of the ninth we played small ball and added two for the final score of 24-19. In the bottom half, Meredith provided one of the defensive highlights when he ranged far to cover second for a force out on a smash up the middle to Val Hornstein. \

Other defensive highlights included a one hop scorcher to Phil Tucker up the middle in the third that was part great glove work and part self-preservation. Later with the game close, Chris Nielsen made one of his patented spears of a grounder seemingly headed to right center field and turned it into a routine 1-3 putout.

Our offense was kind of feast or famine, but Wilson had one of his best days, as he largely carried us. He had the two HRs, including one that seemingly was destined for Concord to the east, the double and a single for six RBIs. Hornstein had another 4-4 day, and has yet to make an out this season (although this was only his second game). Narciso and Gorgone also had 4-4 days but each had a grounder that turned into a generous scorekeeper's hit. But each had multiple clutch hits. Nielsen had three hits good for three RBIs, Kevin Fisher joined him with three knocks, and the bottom three in the order (David Partridge, Meredith and the Coach) had only three ABs but had two hits each.

I have to tip my hat to Scarlett - they are having a tough time of it, but they do not give up. I hope they can get a win - just not against us!

The Lantern Shines Bright, Green 22 - Royal 16

The Green Lantern took Royal out of the land of the undefeated with a convincing 22-16 win on Heather Farm One today.

As usual Green trailed early, going out with a double play and then a groundout in the top of the first, and giving up the curse of the first five in the home half.

So be it, seemingly that's our MO this season. We trailed 6-1 after two, and then our bats woke up. We scored 4, 5, 5, and 5 in the third through the sixth. At one point, seventeen out of eighteen batters reached safely; in the fourth we scored five without making an out. There weren't a lot of long balls either, yet we had multiple extra base hits, with a total of seven doubles and a triple.

But once again it was our defense and pitching that carried us to victory. Stellar plays were made all over the place. Mike Nagy snagged a line drive shot to his left at third base. Likewise Chris Nielsen (who also got one batter on a strikeout) at the mound in the fifth. And he stormed in on a dribbler with the bases loaded in the sixth and scooped and threw home in one motion, the only place he could get an out.

We threw out two runners (actually I believe it was the same runner twice) at home for the third out - in the second it was David Partridge (LC) to Phil Tucker (R) to Matt Meredith (C), and then it was Kevin Fisher (RC) to Lamont Thompson (R) to Partridge (who scooped the one hop throw) in the fourth to prevent the fifth run scoring that inning.

Tim Orr and Fisher made an assortment of running catches in the middle outfield. And speaking of scooping, Heffe scooped not one not two but three low throws at 1B. One of them came on a game ending double play from Rover Tucker to first.

But the play of the game was in the eighth. After we had taken a commanding 20-10 lead, Green's offense slowed down and Royal's strong lineup mounted a comeback. It was 22-16 when one of their hitters stroked one of those frustrating pop flies into no man's land in shallow left center. Rover Tony Gorgone twisted and turned and kept after it until he turned at the last second and snatched the ball out of the sky. I don't think any of us is going to see a better play this season. It shut down the Royalty in the eighth and they couldn't score in the ninth after that either.

Oh, and by the way Green hit .704 as a team. Fisher was 4-4, Nagy 3-3 + a walk, Heffe 3-3, Mark Narciso and Greg Wilson 3-3 + a SF. Others with three hits included Orr, Darren Bobrosky, Angie Rizzato, and Paul Lisi. Meredith pounded one over Yaz' head down the left field line for our only triple.

For the record, we hate byes! because we are on a hot roll , and next week it is our turn to sit out.

The Lantern Glows!