Degenkolb Softball Season Opener
The Degenkolb Softball team hit the field Tuesday in their season opener against Parsons. Fueled by Sarah Graff’s Lemon Cornmeal Cookies, the team took the field to start the game with some new faces. Luke Ruggeri started in center field, Brian Sweeney got the nod at first base, and Tim Nelson manned the hot corner at third. The versatile Shane Gross made his first start at shortstop and the other team quickly learned they better not hit it to “The Wolf”.
Parsons brought their big hitters to the plate at the top of their line-up and managed to string together a 5 run first inning. The Degenkolb team quickly realized this was no picnic whiffle ball game. In the bottom of the first, Degenkolb answered with 2 runs of their own.
Back in the field, Degenkolb realized that the Parsons batting order was stacked at the front and a little light at the end. The defense held tight and kept them scoreless in the top of the second. Despite Jen Baylson’s first hit of two in the night, Degenkolb couldn’t close the gap in the second.
The battle waged on and at the end of 5 innings it was Parsons 7, Degenkolb 6. The heart of the Parson’s batting order came around for the third time, and this round they found the gap in left-center and managed to put it there twice. After some confusion about the number of outs due to a questionable call at first base, Parson’s plated 4 more runs in the top of the 6th.
Bottom of the 7th, Parsons 11, Degenkolb 6. With two outs Robert “Don’t tell them I always hit it to right field” Graff stepped in the batter’s box. He sees the pitch and slabs a ground ball towards second base with his trademark inside-out spin. Unfortunately for the girl playing second, the ball took an awkward bounce, lept up, and caught her in the face. She was down for a while, but got up on her own. She’ll have a nasty bruise to show her office today and we hope she is feeling better.
In the end, Parsons 11, Degenkolb 6. We shook off the cobwebs and are ready for our next game, Thursday July 17 against East Bay MUD. Hope to see you there.
Gordy