After a week of rainouts, it was GREAT to be back on the field! And what a day to return! Low humidity, plenty of sunshine, and beautiful weather set the stage for a ballgame that certainly did not disappoint. The bats were lively, the runs were plentiful, and the defense had its moments to shine, too.
THE FINAL SCORES
CPW Service — Visitors/Hitting Team, managed by Ayers: 8
Duke’s — Middle/Sitting Team, managed by Tutrani: 14
Cypress Plumbing — Home/Fielding Team, managed by Wally: 15
Cypress Plumbing took the win, but getting there was anything but boring!
FIRST INNING: SOMEBODY HIDE THE BASEBALLS!
CPW Service came ready to play! Keller led off with a base hit, Hamilton followed, Toro doubled, and Delong, Hill, Berto, and Hudson all singled. Three runs crossed the plate, and CPW was off to a strong start.
But Duke’s wasn’t about to let CPW have all the fun. DeLoach singled, followed by singles from Rusty, Rad, and Carlos. Bales and Fleming got on base, and Caprizzi added another single. The result? Five runs for Duke’s!
Then came Cypress Plumbing, apparently determined to remind everyone that they had bats, too.
While Duke’s crossed the plate five times with one out, Cypress managed to bring home five runs without recording a single out! Testa, Williamson, Sully, and Griffin all singled, Rabideau got on base, and BJ and Gil added singles.
I'd ask where the defense was, but honestly, these were legitimate hits! Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the hitters.
SECOND INNING: DUKE’S ADDS ONE
CPW was retired without scoring, while Duke’s managed to add one more run. Sensabaugh walked, Marino reached base, but a fielder’s choice retired Sensabaugh at second. Then Tickner delivered a blast to bring home Duke’s lone run of the inning.
Cypress Plumbing went three up, three down. Even the hottest bats need a breather!
THIRD INNING: THE HITS KEEP COMING
CPW got back to work in the third. Lopez singled, Keller reached base, Hamilton doubled, and Toro, Delong, and Hill followed with singles. Three more runs crossed the plate as CPW kept chipping away.
Duke’s struggled to get its offense going, failing to score in the inning.
Then Cypress’ bottom-of-the-order hitters decided it was their turn to shine. Fred, Gilbert, Cursio, Nestor, Williamson, and Sully all singled, bringing home four more runs!
At the end of three innings, the scoreboard read:
CPW 6 | Duke’s 6 | Cypress Plumbing 9
Three teams, plenty of softball still to come, and absolutely no shortage of offense!
FOURTH & FIFTH: CYPRESS CREATES SOME BREATHING ROOM
CPW managed just one run in the fourth, with Hudson, Muniz, and Amy collecting base hits. The bats that had started so promisingly were having trouble stringing together another big inning.
Duke’s added one run in the fourth but went scoreless in the fifth.
Cypress, meanwhile, kept adding to its lead. Rabideau, BJ, and Skidmore collected base hits in the fourth as two more runs came across. In the fifth, Pete, Cursio, and Testa strung together base hits to produce another run.
Cypress was building a cushion, but Duke’s still had some fight left!
SIXTH INNING: DUKE’S MAKES ITS MOVE!
Duke’s finally found another gear in the sixth! Tutrani singled, followed by Carlos and Bales. Fleming, Castilleja, and Sensabaugh added singles, and four runs crossed the plate!
And Bales? Let's just say we're not discussing how far that ball traveled. Good thing the girl has wheels!
Duke’s had narrowed the gap and was making things interesting again.
But Cypress Plumbing wasn't about to let the momentum swing too far. Sully and Rabideau singled, BJ hit a triple to center field, and Gil, Ernesto, and Pepin followed with singles. Three more runs crossed the plate, keeping Cypress in control.
SEVENTH INNING: ONE LAST SHOT!
Duke’s had one more opportunity to close the gap. After the first batter was retired, DeLoach doubled, Gutenberger singled, Rusty singled, and Rad doubled. Tutrani’s sacrifice fly brought home a run, and three runs crossed the plate in the inning.
Then came Carlos, who sent a bomb toward right-center field. It looked like a fitting way to keep the rally alive—until Keller snagged it!
Keller said, “Not today!”
What a way to put a stop to Duke’s final push! Duke’s might be wishing he’d stayed up north one more week!
With Cypress Plumbing already ahead, there was no need for the home team to bat in the bottom of the seventh. The final out sealed a thrilling 15–14 Cypress Plumbing victory!
DEFENSE DESERVES ITS DUE!
With all those hits, it would be easy to think defense took the day off. Not so!
Besides Keller’s clutch catch to end Duke’s rally, Toro made an impressive play at home on a ball caught by Pete. That was a terrific display of athleticism and teamwork—and a reminder that even on a day when the bats are booming, defense can make the difference.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What a welcome return to the field after a week of rainouts! Beautiful weather, plenty of hitting, a one-run finish between Duke’s and Cypress Plumbing, and some outstanding defensive plays made this a day worth remembering.
Cypress Plumbing came away with the win, Duke’s came within one run of tying it, and CPW Service showed plenty of offensive firepower of its own.
The sun was shining, the bats were swinging, and senior softball was right where it belonged—on the field!
