Storm solid (after top of 1st)

Greenthumb only had eight players to show up at the start of the game, but boy did those eight come to play. In the top of the 1^st, Greenthumb batted through their lineup and almost made it through a second time scoring 10 runs capped off with a massive home run. It really was great hitting by Greenthumb as they simply kept putting the ball where Storm fielders weren’t. It’s unclear whether the arrival of their ninth player threw off the team rhythm, or whether they just exhausted themselves from all the running around the bases they did, but they were only able to score one run the rest of the game. The turning point was a relay from the outfield that Joey barehanded and tossed home to record the first out of the inning. After that Storm’s defense was strong.

Storm definitely showed some of that “resiliency” that Doug Ford is always talking about. After falling behind by 10 runs, it would be understandable to give up or get frustrated. Storm didn’t, though. They simply stepped up to bat and went at it. A leadoff double was followed by a pair of singles and then a massive two run shot by Craig. Three more singles followed, which led to Rene stepping up to the plate. Frustrated by comments about all of his solo home runs and home run outs, he launched a grand slam and then quipped, “it doesn’t get more timely than that, does it!” Storm wasn’t done yet, though, and put up four more hits for two more runs to match Greenthumb’s 10 run first.

Storm kept rolling in the 2^nd. With two men on, Rene launched his 2^nd home run of the game, this time a three run shot, that gave him 7RBI on two trips to the plate. It also further helped dispel the myth that he’s the solo home run type of guy. Brad, who was either upset about the comments about his speed in the last writeup, or who was upset that he wasn’t used as a courtesy runner in the first when he was coaching first base, through a combination of stealth and hidden speed turned a conventional single into a double to prove that he can still run. Or maybe it’s just because he wore pants!

In the 3^rd, things got a little troubling for Storm. The team ran into some more +2 trouble. After scoring a pair of runs, Duran launched a home run out. Craig then followed suit. Lance avoided the three home run out inning before Al grounded out to the pitcher.

Storm’s offense toned down in the 4^th and 5^th, but in the bottom of the 6^th it woke up again. Seven consecutive hits started the 6^th. After complaints that Storm was trying to run up the score, Joey batted left handed and grounded out to the pitcher (by the way, Greenthumb’s pitcher made some really nice plays throughout the game).

Offensive Highlight: Rene’s two home runs for 7 RBI

Defensive Highlight: Storm turned a double-play on a line drive that was caught and then thrown back to first where Al had to reach out and catch the ball and then lunge back and tag the base with his glove to double off the runner.

Cycle Watch:

Joey missed the home run.

Craig missed the triple.

Notable Boxscores:

Rene: 3 / 4, 2HR, 7RBI, 3 runs

Jeff: 4 / 4, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, 2 runs

Bob: 4 / 4, 4 runs

Joey: 4 / 5, 2 runs, 1 RBI

Lance: 3 / 4, 3 RBI

Brian: 3 / 4, 2RBI

Craig: 3 / 5, HR, 3RBI, 2 runs

HR's: Craig. Rene (2)
HR Out's: Craig, Duran

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Greenthumb	10	0	0	0	0	1	0	11
Storm	10	5	3	1	2	7	x	28