The Digicel Chuggers held off a furious late-inning rally to defeat the Caledonian Lions 7-6 in co-ed softball action at the Field of Dreams last week.
The Chuugers, now 2-0, scored three runs in the first inning and another two in the second inning to open up a 5-0 lead.
The two teams each scored a run in the third inning and the Chuggers picked up another run in the bottom of the fifth and went into the sixth inning with a seemingly comfortable 7-1 lead.
But Chuggers pitcher Neil Clements lost the strike zone and Mark Wallace lost his glove in the sixth inning and the Lions scored two runs to cut the gap to 7-3.
Things got really interesting in the top of the seventh when the Chuggers loaded the bases with one out and the batter smashed one to the fence. But a perfect relay from right fielder Doug Sell to shortstop Donnie House to Clements covering home nailed the potential tying run by one step.
Offensively, Clements led the charge for the Chuggers, going 2 for 2 with two runs and a RBI. Addie House also went 2 for 2 with a RBI and Donnie House went 2 for 3 with two runs scored.
Chuggers coach Alan Markoff was satisfied with the victory.
‘It wasn’t very pretty, but a win is a win,’ he said. ‘Our defence was pretty good, but I know we can hit better than that.’
The Digicel base running blunders were another issue.
‘We represent a company that prides itself on good communications, and yet our base coaches can’t seem to communicate the simple words of ‘stay’ or ‘go’. We’re going to have to work on that.’
The Chuggers have two games this week, which could tax the older players onthe team.
‘Our men probably have the highest average age in the league, mainly because of me and Sell, and playing two games a week is a sure-fire recipe for soreness. Thank goodness for ibuprofen is all I have to say.’
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