Great(est) game(?)

Tonight's game was both highly anticipated and somewhat feared, as the girls' were going up against a team that quite handily trounced them in the winter league. However, our team has improved quite a lot since then, so it probably shouldn't have been much of a surprise that we help up decently against them.

They came out of the gate with an early lead, but we tied it back up two-all. Darby drove in the tying run! They went ahead again, but we also tied it back up once again. There were numerous exciting plays to keep things alive, such as a "phantom triple" which started out from a dropped third strike. A single that was stretched into a double with a tag-avoiding slide, and the most exciting play of them all that pretty much ended the game.

Our opponents were poised to re-take the lead with runners on second and third and no outs. Our girls were tiring and so not making the good pitches or throws or catches. In fact, the coach changed our pitcher (something rarely done) in an effort to hold the line. But we thought it was all over for sure when the opposing batter hit a tower shot to deep center field. I guess, given the situation, we (the parents, the crowd) didn't really imagine the possibility that it would be caught. And given the reaction of the other team, they quite certainly didn't think it would be caught. But it was, in fact, caught. Not only that, but the heads-up center fielder got the ball back to second, and the second baseman had the wherewithal to throw the ball to third (though barely in time to make the out). And just like that, we were saved. Yes, that's right... by a triple play. You heard me. A TRIPLE PLAY. How often does THAT happen at this level? It was awesome to see. Not only that, but even I had trouble believing what I had just seen. I had to check with the coach to make sure. But sure enough, a triple play it was.

Suddenly, and unexpectedly, we were back at bat with an opportunity to take the lead and, as home team, to win the game. But time was no longer on our side. There was only seven minutes left on the clock (which starts at seventy minutes). While we did get runners on base, the hard fought game had taken its toll, and we were unable to drive in those potentially winning runs. The game was called, and ended in a tie. But that must have been the one of the greatest tie games ever played. At least for this team. Certainly for Darby. And though we didn't win, as good as the other team was, a tie with us most certain will be viewed by them as a loss. And thus, a victory for us.

Go team.