Fort Lauderdale Softball

WEEK 6

Sorry this is late getting to you, my loyal reader. But it wasn’t my fault. Really. You can blame the following: (a) Genie White, the erstwhile cool city chick who apparently is making good use of her suburban, orange-roofed kitchen by creating killer jello shots, then serving them at Sunday’s annual Dean Perry Memorial softball BBQ that I am only now starting to recover from; (b) Mike Ritz, who has been too busy stalking Hazel Mae on NESN’s Website to answer his phone; (c) Superstar shortstop Brian White (why not?); (d) my job; (e) my inept laziness; (f) all of the above.

OK, so it was my fault. Anyway, quite a time was had by all at the BBQ. No one got arrested, and there was no need for Sean Piccoli to call the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department, as he did a year ago, as Karen Mullins was masterful at the grill (even if she did forget to bring the tequila). Karen Osborne even behaved herself, in moderation.

Beyond that, quite a pennant race is shaping up. Jaded took over sole possession of first place Sunday, We B Zellin’ is starting its expected charge, and everyone else seems to be hanging around, threatening to break through.

Jaded won its fifth straight, downing In The Red 18-6. Steve D’Oliveria was 4 for 4, including a two-run triple in the six-run seventh. Winning pitcher Tom Fleming was 3 for 3 including a triple, and Ryan McNeill also had three hits.

Zellin’ swept its doubleheader Sunday to improve to 5-3. It used an eight-run first inning to stop Chico’s Bail Bonds 17-11, then recorded its fourth win in its last at-bat, edging the Real McCoys 9-8.

Clyde Barrow was strong on the mound, but couldn’t quite duplicate the success at the plate, going 0 for 3, including multiple swing-and-misses, drawing catcalls from his coach, Robert Smith. Rookie outfielder Tom Harris made his presence felt with two hits.

Game 2 started strongly for the McCoys, who took a 5-0 lead in the first, highlighted by a three-run shot over left center fence by Chad Mullins. But Zellin’ responded with four in its half.

The McCoys wound up taking a 8-7 lead in the final inning, but Pete Boyd’s sacrifice fly tied the score and Smith’s sharp grounder down the left field line scored Philip Mullins with the winner.

Oscar Vargas, Philip Mullins and Smith each were 3 for 3 for Zellin, while coach Mike McCoy was the MVP for his team. Not because of anything he did on the field – the man did the BBQ shopping! Way to go Mike.

Michelle Johnson, Zellin’s rookie catcher, continued her hot hitting, going 4 for 4 in both games plus a walk. In nine plate appearances over the past three games, Johnson is 7 for 8.

Meanwhile AFDI, coached by George McIntyre, is lurking. It improved to 3-3 after great defense by Mike Mejia, Gairy Williams and John Veysey led to a one-run victory over the Boss Players.