No one new what to expect coming in to the new expansion season for the Greenville Oaks Softball Team. Well, the season is still young, but it is safe to say that with the first game ending in a 9-6 victory over FUMC Blue, the team has exceeded all expectations. "It's great to get the first one under our belts," said Coach Brokaw moments after the conclusion of the teams first game ever. "I could tell there were definitely some first game jitters, but I was proud of the way our guys continued to battle all seven innings."
And battle they did.
Playing in front of a sold out home crowd of 14(and a couple of dogs), the game started a little shaky when starting pitcher Shane Spencer lost his bid for a no hitter by allowing a hit to the first batter he faced. He bounced back strong though retiring the next 3 hitters to get out of a jam in the top of the first inning.
The team responded by plating two runs in the bottom of the first thanks to the first homerun of the young season by Dustin Swart. With Dave Strickland on base with a leadoff single, the opposing pitcher retired the next two hitters only to bring up Swart hitting cleanup. He took a 2-1 pitch into left field that made it all the way to the fence. By the time it was relayed to the infield Swart was already sipping some gatorade in the dugout enjoying his first two RBIs of the season.
Spencer once again managed a shutout in the second inning, and the team responded with another two runs. With a Mike Shivers single and a Grant Glover double, Randy Way brought in two RBIs with a single to center field. This took the lead to 4-0 for Greenville Oaks, which looked to be enough the way that Spencer was pitching, but FUMC Blue came roaring back in the top of the third when they brought in a run of their own to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the third, Brian "the pain train" Edwards made his presence known by singling, and later scoring on a hard hit ball by David Strickland. Strickland would later score on a Sacrifice fly by Shane Spencer. It was the teams third 2 run inning in a row, and they sat with a comfortable lead at 6-1 going into the fifth, but FUMC was not done yet. They struck with an unearned run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to four. At that point, the pitching coach Mike Mabry made the call and got some action going into the bullpen in case it would be needed, but Spencer responded by pitching a scoreless inning in the sixth.
The bottom of the sixth was highlighted by what proved to be the gamewinning hit by none other than Dustin Swart. With Strickland and Clay Platt on second and third, Swart sent one into deep left that also made it to the fence which he turned into a triple. It was his second 2 RBI hit and his forth RBI of the game. He finished 3 for 3 with a single, triple, and homerun giving him the player of the game honors and pushing him into the early season race for MVP. Shane Collins brought him in from third on a sacrifice fly, and that would finish out the scoring for Greenville Oaks at 9.
With Spencer working on a quality start, Brokaw and Mabry made the decision to stick with him to close out the game. It may have worked out well if not for the over eager third baseman(player/coach Bryan Brokaw) booting an easy double play ball. After that, FUMC plated 4 unearned runs, but the final out was recorded with a force out provided by excellent glovework by Dave Strickland and Cade Thompson. That ended the game with a final score of 9-6, and sent the Greenville Oaks faithful home happy.
The game was not without its stranger moments. Most of the great comedy happened on the basepaths. Randy Way provided us with his impression of a fish out of water as he flopped around 3rd base. Brian Edwards gave us a great demonstration on what happens when you don't tag up, and James Manley gave us a great display of a twirling foul ball strike out. Edwards also followed up with the rare bounce pass put out to first base on a bunt.
All in all, the team begins its season 1-0 with a share of first place for the first time in franchise history. With performances like this, the team might just continue it's sellout streak to 2.
And battle they did.
Playing in front of a sold out home crowd of 14(and a couple of dogs), the game started a little shaky when starting pitcher Shane Spencer lost his bid for a no hitter by allowing a hit to the first batter he faced. He bounced back strong though retiring the next 3 hitters to get out of a jam in the top of the first inning.
The team responded by plating two runs in the bottom of the first thanks to the first homerun of the young season by Dustin Swart. With Dave Strickland on base with a leadoff single, the opposing pitcher retired the next two hitters only to bring up Swart hitting cleanup. He took a 2-1 pitch into left field that made it all the way to the fence. By the time it was relayed to the infield Swart was already sipping some gatorade in the dugout enjoying his first two RBIs of the season.
Spencer once again managed a shutout in the second inning, and the team responded with another two runs. With a Mike Shivers single and a Grant Glover double, Randy Way brought in two RBIs with a single to center field. This took the lead to 4-0 for Greenville Oaks, which looked to be enough the way that Spencer was pitching, but FUMC Blue came roaring back in the top of the third when they brought in a run of their own to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the third, Brian "the pain train" Edwards made his presence known by singling, and later scoring on a hard hit ball by David Strickland. Strickland would later score on a Sacrifice fly by Shane Spencer. It was the teams third 2 run inning in a row, and they sat with a comfortable lead at 6-1 going into the fifth, but FUMC was not done yet. They struck with an unearned run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to four. At that point, the pitching coach Mike Mabry made the call and got some action going into the bullpen in case it would be needed, but Spencer responded by pitching a scoreless inning in the sixth.
The bottom of the sixth was highlighted by what proved to be the gamewinning hit by none other than Dustin Swart. With Strickland and Clay Platt on second and third, Swart sent one into deep left that also made it to the fence which he turned into a triple. It was his second 2 RBI hit and his forth RBI of the game. He finished 3 for 3 with a single, triple, and homerun giving him the player of the game honors and pushing him into the early season race for MVP. Shane Collins brought him in from third on a sacrifice fly, and that would finish out the scoring for Greenville Oaks at 9.
With Spencer working on a quality start, Brokaw and Mabry made the decision to stick with him to close out the game. It may have worked out well if not for the over eager third baseman(player/coach Bryan Brokaw) booting an easy double play ball. After that, FUMC plated 4 unearned runs, but the final out was recorded with a force out provided by excellent glovework by Dave Strickland and Cade Thompson. That ended the game with a final score of 9-6, and sent the Greenville Oaks faithful home happy.
The game was not without its stranger moments. Most of the great comedy happened on the basepaths. Randy Way provided us with his impression of a fish out of water as he flopped around 3rd base. Brian Edwards gave us a great demonstration on what happens when you don't tag up, and James Manley gave us a great display of a twirling foul ball strike out. Edwards also followed up with the rare bounce pass put out to first base on a bunt.
All in all, the team begins its season 1-0 with a share of first place for the first time in franchise history. With performances like this, the team might just continue it's sellout streak to 2.
Did coach Brokaw really SAY, "It's great to get the first one under our belts", or did he just think that as he was writing?
ReplyDeleteYou didn't hear those comments at the postgame press conference?
ReplyDeleteI must have missed it. You know how the media is at those things. It is an absolute zoo!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching sportscenter all day for highlights and all they keep talking about is the stupid NBA finals. Like anyone cares about that!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Thanks Bryan for keeping us in the loop. Tara and I can be the official photographers so your blogs will never go without pictures.
ReplyDelete