Storm Offense and Jeff's return to the mound Hold Off Heat Comeback

After losing back to back games on Sunday, Storm was eager to get back in the win column. The team had been playing shorthanded for a number of games recently and now they were armed with a plethora of players ready to face the Heat. But the Heat burned them early on. Brad was on fire hitting the corners of the board, but the Hanet Heat were also hitting the ball in just the right places. Add that to some questionable defense and the Heat put up four in the top of the first.

Storm knew that four runs would not win a game, and might not even win an inning, and they set out to light an offensive fire of their own. After back to back singles to start the game, Joey launched a three run home run putting the Storm right back in it. Storm would add another and tie the game.

The second inning went a lot more smoothly. After a lead-off single by Alex, Storm went around the horn for their first doubleplay of the evening and it was a quick three up three down inning. Lance commented how Brad was able to find the plate tonight. The comment might have been a little premature, and most things that are premature don’t end well (or end too early???). Storm bats stayed hot in the second and they put up six runs capped off by a monstrous grand slam that only actually counted for two runs by Tony. Storm led 10-4. 

Now back to that comment Lance made earlier about Brad being able to find the plate. Well…. let’s just say that the third inning started with four consecutive walks and Brad pulling himself. The pitching change led to three consecutive fielder’s choices and Hanet were held to only three runs. Storm still led 10-7 when they came up in the bottom of the third, but were only able to muster up a single run to extend their lead to 11-7. 

In the fourth Jeff stepped onto the mound after returning from the 30 Day IL. A combination of knee injury and family vacation had kept him off the diamond for a month. With the help of Storm’s second double play of the game, Storm set Hanet down in order. It was a feat they would match in the 5th as well. Storm scored three in the fourth, an inning which ended because Tony launched a massive home run out. Storm’s bats would then go silent as they were unable to score any runs in the 5th or 6th innings. Would their lead be enough, or would Hanet get hot and stage a comeback?

In the 6th, Hanet scored a run to shorten the lead. The 7th inning saw some suspense as Hanet’s first two batters would get on and then score, but Storm closed the doors and held on to a 15-10 victory getting them back in the win column.

Notable Performances:

Tony wilded his bat like a caveman wields a club clobbering everything in sight.  Unfortunately, his performance was hindered by mercy and home run rules, but it was impressive nonetheless.

Joey was 2 for 3 with a HR and 4 RBI

Duran and Renee were each frustrated with their hitting, but they both went 3 for 4 and had multiple RBIs. Their off days are other players’ good days.

Line Score

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R
Hanet Heat	4	0	3	0	0	1	2	10
Storm	4	6	1	3	0	1	X	15