The stars were aligned, the beer was cold, the Pirates were ready. With the honour of toppling Cap Gemini already having been achieved by Betgenius, it was our turn to send a message and prove our worth.
The game started tentatively with both sides locking each other out in the first innings, 0-0. The second innings saw another lock out from the Pirates and a lone homerun from Coxy taking us to a 1-0 lead. Cap Gemini matched this single at the top of the 3rd but our batting sparked into life with a grand slam homerun from JB and another homerun from Ant stretching our lead to 7-1.
Again we locked our opponents out and went into bat a 4th time confident of stretching the lead further.The 4th inning ending 15-1 to the Pirates with another homerun from JB and a first homerun to Gray'O'.
However the might of Cap Gemini who had never trailed by such a margin before, began to flex its muscles..... Their two international grade players began the fight back with some incredible fielding plays holding us to 2 runs in the 5th and then leading the batting fight back running 6 against us.
Top of the 6th innings, score 17-7, we were still confident but the opposition was revitalised and on fire. We were locked out again and allowed another 5 runs to be scored!
Top of the 7th innings, score 17-12, surely we could hold on, the pressure was building and errors were creeping in. Three outs were all we needed to win. "Hold on Pirates, just hold on!". Our worst fielding of the game allowed Cap Gemini back in, they scored 7, to take the lead for the first time!
The tide had turned and the wind was against us. We needed 2 to draw or 3 for the win. JB steps up to bat cracking a blinder, but the Cap Gemini outfield was fast and Jon was held on first base. Next up Ange, another great hit but only enough to get JB to second. The tension was tangible as we approached the lower batting order and a risk of impending outs. Third up to bat, a rookie all-star in the making, Coxy stepped up to the plate. First pitch a big swing and a miss! Strike!
"You do that again and your fired!" screams JB from second base.
Finally the pressure pitch, Coxy swings and hits! A huge fly ball deep to the outfield just beating their fielders. A homerun it was, and the look of joy on JB's, Ange's and Coxy's face as they ran in the three runs to win!
Awesome game everyone. A few more memorable moments:
Ange and JB teasing Staffie (Cap Gemini's captain) between 3rd and home plate in a run down before he stacked it over his own shoelace and was tagged out by JB.
Coxy running to 2nd base without tagging up, Goughie taking the catch, Coxy reaching second base, the look of bewilderment on his face as he begins to process the shouts of 'Get back to first!' and the look of fear as he sprints back to first just in the nick of time.
Lisa putting her body on the line stopping balls with a combination of legs, body, in fact anything.
A big welcome to Liz and Steph for their first Pirate game!
Pau basically fielding the entire left half of the pitch as usual.
We have a rest week scheduled now, but if anyone wants to hit the park after work for a little batting practise in the net, or any other coaching, just let me know.
Captain Rubble
