Talk about your all around team game, the Crows came back from an early 6-1 deficit, and with a combination of great defensive plays and timely hitting defeated Leo's going away, 14-10.
Defensive gems abounded. Clay LeChe and Dave Balfour on the left side of the outfield made any number of catches on rockets their way. On the other side, Randy Cobb (welcome back!) and Don Devencenzi battled for the catch of the game, I think both in the eighth inning. Randy took a shot in the gap away for the first out. It was his second spectacular catch of the day. Not to be outdone, Devencenzi, sprinted in on a low liner, snagged it, and saw the runner on second had taken off on contact, and gunned it to second to double him up, inning over, and it was kind of Leo's last gasp.
Howard Reeves ran twice to the left field sideline to take away popups in the sun from Leo's shortstop. He dove in the hole twice to stop balls ticketed to left field, once getting the out on a one hopper to 1B Heffe at first. It was the second one hopper Heffe corralled - the other one was a neat double play on a grounder to Reeves, and a quick turn by 2B Lamont Thompson (also welcome back, what is this - Welcome back Kotter?). Am I forgetting anyone? Oh yea Leo's Pat Carman made a great catch for us at catcher to get an out. Showed integrity.
And of course, Pitcher Ed Cook pitched all nine and didn't walk a batter and enticed any number of routine outs to aid the Crows' cause.
The offense was spread around as well. Balfour - have a day, with 4-5, two HRs, a double and 5 RBIs. Cobb - readjusted to softball his first couple of times up and then walked a couple of times, and then smashed one in the middle gap for a home run. Barry Walter had a two run triple and was robbed on another gapper on his resume. LT blasted one to LC, and turned a home run into a triple. He also deftly moved up to second on an overthrow at first, which ended up netting us a couple of runs as he kept the force off. He was so tired by then he got a courtesy runner! In that inning, the seventh, Leo's pitcher disrespected Heffe by walking LeChe to set up a force and he became the fifth potential run of that rally. Heffe smashed a ball about an inch fair down the right field line past the right fielder and LeChe and Balfour on second were off to the races with the fourth and fifth runs of the inning. Pitcher Cook started that inning with his own triple.
And last but certainly not least, Manager Devencenzi was the only perfect hitter with three singles and two walks. Not a bad return from Covid.
Everyone was a hero, as it should be. We can take anyone in this league if we play like we did today.
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