Egg City Diner (Hill) 18 – EZ Roofing (DeLoach) 10 – Family Fence (Lopez) 8
There was no shortage of offense at Winter Haven today! With 36 runs crossing the plate, the bats were busy, the defense had its moments, and one softball nearly needed a change of address!
Egg City Diner — Serving Up Runs All Morning!
Egg City Diner came hungry, and they weren't ordering anything light!
Williamson got things started with a single, Hill doubled, and Rounds, Fee, and DeLong followed with singles. Three runs were on the board before the first inning was over.
The second brought two more runs, thanks to Rabideau, Leslie, Cruz, and Miguel getting aboard.
But the third inning? That's when the kitchen really heated up! Gil singled, Williamson reached base, and Hill, Rounds, Fee, Doyle, and DeLong kept the line moving. Lynch added a double, and five more runs crossed the plate!
After adding one in the fourth, Egg City served up another five-run special in the fifth. Marino, Pete, Gil, Williamson, Hill, and Fee all singled, while Rounds added a double. Apparently, nobody told these guys the breakfast rush was over!
Doyle vs. The Tree — The Tree Won!
Now, we need to talk about Doyle's sixth-inning blast.
OH. MY. GOODNESS. WHAT A SHOT!
Doyle absolutely CRUSHED a ball so deep that, had it not struck a tree in the neighbor's yard, it might have taken out the red truck sitting in the driveway!
It was quite possibly the hardest-hit ball we've seen at this ballpark. Fortunately, the tree saved us from losing the softball altogether.
The result? A DOUBLE!
That's right. Hit it into another ZIP code and get rewarded with two bases! Somebody needs to buy that tree a thank-you card.
Egg City added a run in the sixth and another in the seventh to finish with 18 runs.
And let's give credit where it's due — Egg City's defense deserves a standing ovation, too!
EZ Roofing — A Strong Start, Then the Roof Came Down!
EZ Roofing came out swinging!
Amy drew a walk, Pablo singled, Rusty doubled, JD singled, Stevens reached base, and BJ added another single. Four runs in the first inning! Not a bad way to start the morning!
But then something happened.
Egg City's defense showed up, locked the doors, and apparently threw away the key!
EZ Roofing was held scoreless for FOUR straight innings — the second, third, fourth, and fifth! That's some outstanding defensive work by Egg City.
EZ Roofing finally broke through in the sixth when Ayers, Gilbert, and Boito singled to bring home a run.
And in the seventh, they weren't about to go quietly!
Rusty doubled, while JD, Nestor, Stevens, Tutrani, and DeLoach all singled. Four runs crossed the plate as EZ Roofing made one last push.
They might not have caught Egg City, but they certainly didn't quit!
Family Fence — A Few Gaps, But Plenty of Fight!
Family Fence had its share of offensive moments, even if the scoreboard didn't quite reflect the effort.
Ernesto singled in the first but was left stranded.
In the second, Ramon singled, Woodsby reached base, and Hudson singled to bring home the team's first run.
Clos and Jorge added hits in the third, but the runners couldn't make it home.
Things picked up in the fourth when Johnston singled, Ernesto and Rad reached base, and Sensabaugh delivered a double that helped bring home two runs!
Woodsby and Hudson singled in the fifth, with Shaffer reaching base as another run scored.
The sixth brought two more runs, thanks to Donna, Capozzi, Johnston, and Ernesto getting things moving.
And Family Fence saved a little excitement for the seventh! Ramon, Woodsby, Herbie, Clos, and Jorge all singled, with Hudson also reaching base. Two more runs crossed the plate before the final out.
Eight runs on the day — and plenty of players contributing!
Wally Steps Up — And Fee Steps Up to the Plate!
With Loren absent today, Wally stepped up to handle the umpiring duties, and let's give him credit — he did a pretty darn good job!
Of course, no umpire gets through a game without at least ONE questionable call.
Just ask Fee!
Fee launched a ball deep into left field, only to hear Wally call it FOUL!
Now, Fee might still be questioning that call, but rather than argue, he decided to settle the matter the old-fashioned way.
HE HIT ANOTHER ONE OVER THE FENCE!
Apparently, Fee figured the best way to eliminate any doubt was to send the next one even farther!
All kidding aside, hats off to Wally for stepping in and doing a fine job behind the plate. We appreciate you!
Defensive Play of the Day — Hill, Fee & Marino!
Now THIS was a play worth talking about!
A deep fly ball headed toward the outfield fence, and Hill went after it with everything he had!
HE MADE THE CATCH — AND BOUNCED RIGHT OFF THE FENCE!
Hill held onto the ball long enough to secure the out, but the collision clearly rattled him.
Enter Fee, playing middle field, who raced over, took the ball from Hill, and unleashed a throw ALL THE WAY FROM THE FENCE TO HOME PLATE!
And waiting at home?
MARINO!
Let's give Marino his moment of glory, because that throw came in on ONE BOUNCE, and he actually fielded it!
The runner, hoping to sneak an extra base, was OUT!
From Hill's spectacular catch, to Fee's rocket throw, to Marino handling that one-bouncer at home — THAT'S TEAMWORK!
An outstanding defensive play all the way around, and one that deserves a round of applause!
The Final Word
Egg City Diner served up 18 runs, EZ Roofing tried to patch things together with 10, and Family Fence battled its way to 8.
We had a substitute umpire, a questionable foul ball, an amazing defensive play, and a tree that may have saved a neighbor's truck!
And somewhere beyond the outfield fence, that tree is probably still shaking from Doyle's blast!
Another fun day of Winter Haven Senior Softball, where the bats keep swinging, the stories keep growing, and there's never a dull moment!
See you on the field!
