The Arthritics' Luke Bissinger hits to deep right field during the second inning of the Arthritics 16 - 23 loss to the Slugs on Saturday July 7, 2018 at Sharpe Field. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Saturday softball is back and debuted with a large crowd. The Arthritics and Slugs played the second game in a two-day series, after last Friday’s game ended with a 12-11 victory for the Slugs.
In previous years, the men’s softball league had Saturday games more often.
“I wouldn’t mind having Saturday games,” said Slugs team captain John Chubb.
After losing a close game to the Slugs last Friday, the Arthritics were looking to rebound and tie the series up at 1-1 on Saturday.
“It’s always good playing the Slugs; this is an age-old rivalry. We lost a tough one to them (Friday), but we are ready to take it to them (Saturday).”
-Andrew Zachry, Player, Arthritics
The Arthritics started off hot during Saturday’s game, but couldn’t keep it going and ended up losing 23-16.
Both teams were hitting above average, as the score showed. There were three in-the-park home runs, which was unusual. Two of the home runs came from the Arthritics in the top of the second inning. The other home run came from Nathan Chubb of the Slugs.
“(The home run) was good, but I didn’t hit (the ball) hard as I wanted,” Nathan Chubb said.
At the top of the third inning, the score was 11-9. Both teams ended up going scoreless in the third inning and that was the first sight of defense in the game.
One scoreless inning was uncommon in this game of seemingly endless runs.
“There were a lot of scoring opportunities and chances to get on base,” Nathan Chubb said. “I feel like the defense played well, but there weren’t as many opportunities to get outs, like in other games.”
Tied at 15-15 going into the fifth inning, the Arthritics only put up one run and got three quick outs. The Slugs scored two runs to take the lead back, and the score was 17-16 going into the sixth inning.
During the last two innings, the Arthritics couldn’t manufacture a run and finish the game, going scoreless. However, the Slugs put up big runs and made sure the game was out of reach with no chance of a comeback.
Members of both teams said they are looking forward to the rest of the season and the possibility of a championship match up between the Arthritics and the Slugs.
The Arthritics will play Derogatory at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at Sharpe Field, and Pounders will play the Slugs at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at Sharpe Field.
