Team Degenkolb Rises to the TdNL Challenge for Game 2
Team Degenkolb Rises to the TdNL Challenge for Game 2
June 23, 2009
The Degenkolb Softball team matched up against a very tough opponent — Toft deNevers & Lee — at Lowell Hardball Field in Oakland last night. TdNL has been an A-League fixture and championship contender for 20+ years, since the early days of the league — they have skill and wisdom on both sides of the ball — making them a good litmus for a team’s ability.
I am happy to report that we measured up quite well — matching them blow-for-blow through the early innings and finding ourselves down by only 3 runs at the end of 6 innings. In what can only be called “the most exciting 20 seconds in recent memory”, Erik ’shinguards’ Kneer, in his season debut, belted a deep fly ball and proceeded to leave nothing but a trail of dust on the basepaths — pushing rookie Adam Azofeifa to the plate and then reaching himself on a *very* close play at the plate (okay, he was out, but everyone agreed he was safe).
The squad proceeded to hold TdNL to a goose egg in the top of the 7th — not an easy feat — and proceeded into the bottom of the 7th, down by 1 run, with a desire to post something in the “walk-off” category for the history books. After 2 quick outs yielding no base runners, the top of the order came to the plate. After a few failed attempts earlier in the game to put an extra-base hit into right field, Coach Andrew Scott finally found the groove and put a slicing fly ball just over the right fielder’s head, giving just enough time to round the bases and tie up the ballgame. Unfortunately the run production ended there — tied at 9 — forcing extra innings.
The 8th inning saw no less drama, with the defense holding TdNL to only one run and then posting one itself in the bottom of the 8th, sending it to the 9th.
Alas, it was not a sustainable trend, and in the top of the 9th TdNL posted a 6-run breakout inning that we could not match, ending the game with a 16-10 TdNL win. Not to worry, however, as the squad was energized by the excellent showing and quite satisfied with the hard fought loss — there were smiles all around.
Game balls belonged to Adam Azofeififofum, for his slew of RBI’s throughout the game, and Tim ‘Full’ Nelson, for platooning at shortstop and risking life and limb to fill the position. Rookie Fuko ‘Ronaldo’ Tsuruta also deserves mention — extending her scoring streak to 2 games and demonstrating impressive skill at Rover, opting to use her feet, instead of her glove, to knock down line-drives. Continuing his impressive work on the mound, Pitcher Gordy ‘Linsecum’ Wray wrung up 2 strikeouts — a definite feather in the cap against such a strong offensive team.
Once again, team photographer Lucie ‘never mind that ball almost killed me, it almost hit my new camera’ Fougner was on hand to document the action (better yet, the faces of the action) as well as fill-in babysitting duties for Finley Graff while dad Robert was busy pulling his hamstring apart. Special thanks to Lizzie ‘left her stuff at home’ Blaisdell and Mrs. T. Wray for coming out to watch, support, and babysit.
After a quick team photo, the team adjourned to Cato’s in Oakland for pizza and Pliny.
Next week: After closer inspection of the schedule, it looks like our Wednesday game is against a null opponent (team A8 doesn’t exist). I’ll see if I can get us an opponent. If not, we will make it a team practice, which will actually be a great opportunity to polish the edges and come out strong after the holiday. As always, everyone is welcome to play or spectate (please RSVP if the former).
Photos by: Lucie Fougner
