The CIC Chuggers overcame adversity to win two games last week in co-ed softball action at the Field of Dreams.
On Wednesday night the Chuggers outlasted the Master Batters 19-17 and on the next evening, they dominated Fortis in a 16-7 victory.
Injury problems forced the Chuggers to play with four girls in the field on Wednesday night, but the girls proved they were up to the task, especially Heather Noggle who showed some nice leather on first base.
‘Heather’s handling of first base was the key to our defence,’ said Coach Alan Markoff. ‘She might have just found herself a new position.’
At the plate, the Chuggers got big games from Mark Wallace (5 for 5 with 4 runs), Pat Haag (3 for 4 with 3 runs), Alan Markoff (3 for 4 with 4 runs and 5 RBI, and Neil Clements (4 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI).
Clements hit the Chuggers’ first home run over the fence in the first inning, and later doubled off the fence. The power display impressed right fielder Sandro Filippe.
‘Your muscles, they are getting so big,’ he told Clements.
Three Chuggers missed the game with injuries; Shawn Wilcox is on the 15-day disabled list with a leg injury, while John Rhynold (drinker’s elbow) and Mike Laslovich (foot fungus) both missed the game on the orders of a doctor.
In addition Susanne Clements – who went 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored – injured a ligament in her foot during the game as was placed on the 15-disabled list afterwards.
‘Hot jambalaya! We’re banged up,’ said Mark Wallace. ‘We need a team trainer.’
Team owner, insurance mogul Kim Awe, nixed the idea of a trainer.
‘What doesn’t kill them will make them stronger,’ said Awe. ‘What do they need a trainer for? I don’t have a team of pansies, do I?’
Thursday’s game was much easier, especially after the Chuggers scored eight runs with two outs in the second inning.
Heather Noggle drew a key walk to load the bases for Sandro Filippe, who singled in a pair of runs to start the big inning.
‘Sandro’s hit was huge,’ said Coach Markoff. ‘Especially considering he was bleeding all over the place when he did it.’
Filippe busted open his lip trying to make a diving catch during the pre-game warm up. Being the gamer that he is, however, he waited until after the game to go to the hospital, where he received nine stitches.
Mark Wallace and Pat Haag both had three hits and three runs scored for the Chuggers.
‘Hot jambalaya,’ said Wallace, before, during and after the game. No one knew what he was talking about, but it did make some of the team hungry for Creole cuisine.
Owner Kim Awe said he was pleased with his team’s 4-1 start to the season, but he warned the Chuggers not to become complacent.
‘Softball, like insurance, is about covering your bases,’ he said. ‘We’ve had several players go down with injuries. What are the contingencies?
‘Heather Noggle turned out to be one contingency. She was like term life insurance to the Chuggers. But who will be the mortgage protection if another key player gets injured?’
Wallace said he knew the answer.
‘Hot jambalaya,’ he said, and none of the Chuggers could argue with him.
Related Videos
