With the Babe Ruth Softball 16U World Series coming to town, host team Concord decided to scrimmage a few teams from around the area. This included a ragtag bunch from The Concord Insider. The Insider squad numbered only seven on the scheduled day of the game (July 29), and was thus thrown together with a National Guard team, which would have played Concord directly after the Insider's game.
The combination Insider/Guard team was up first, but with 1 out, runners on first and second, and a 1-2 count on the cleanup hitter, thunder crashed off in the distance and the game went into an automatic half-hour weather delay. About 20 minutes into the delay, lightning flashed – meaning the automatic cancellation of the game.
Still wanting to get the game in before the world series started up, Concord's coach, Mike Demers, and Insider Editor Katie MacKenzie managed to get the game rescheduled for Aug. 3. Although only five Insiders showed up this time, they were augmented again by four women from the National Guard team, and by four players on loan from the 16U and 18U squads.
With the Insider/Guard squad (known alternately as Team White, or – wishful thinking on the part of one team member – The Destroyers) now being the home team, Concord got to bat first. Team White's relative inexperience showed in the first inning, as Concord scored several runs off of fielding miscues. Eventually, pitcher Joardyn Douillette (on loan from the 16U team) coaxed Concord's bats to quiet down. Third baseman Crystal Boisvert (National Guard) cut down a runner at the plate on an attempted bunt past a drawn-in infield. I ended the inning by catching a pop-up in front of second.
Insider reader Cary Gladstone led off for Team White and was ultimately called out on a questionable third strike. This led him to remark to the home plate umpire as he walked back to the dugout that, “I didn't see it, but it sounded low.” Peick followed him in the lineup, and sent a high chopper back through the box. Another close play resulted, with the call going once again against Team White, as Peick was called out at first by a half-step. Boisvert was then hit by a pitch, but erased at second by a fielder's choice hit into by fellow National Guard team member Dawn Cookson.
Concord added to its lead in the top half of the second, highlighted by a booming leadoff homerun to center. Errors by Team White defensively still abounded, although not as abundantly as in the previous inning. After Concord had batted around for a good while, Team White was able to settle down and get back in the dugout, facing a 14-0 deficit.
Insider husband Ed MacKenzie led off the bottom of the frame, and promptly drew a quick walk. After Sarah McPherson (National Guard) was hit by a pitch, Concord's pitcher proceeded to strike out the next three batters – Insider Reporter Cassie Pappathan, Marylou Paquette of the National Guard and Katie MacKenzie – in quick succession. However, the coaches had decided to play that inning with five outs for Team White instead of the normal three, so the inning proceeded on. Molly Dussault (on loan from the 18U team) popped out in foul ground to the first baseman, but Vanessa Campbell (also on loan from 18U) drew a walk to load the bases. Douillette then stepped to the plate looking to help her own cause out. She struck out, but managed to reach first on the dropped third strike, which also brought home Ed MacKenzie with Team White's first run. It was then back to the top of the order, where Gladstone unfortunately slapped a line drive right at the shortstop to end the inning.
The top of the third showed a marked improvement in the defensive play of Team White. Playing behind new pitcher Kelsey Martel (acquired in a mid-game trade from Concord for Douillette), Team White managed to hold Concord scoreless through the frame, and went back to the dugout with a newfound sense of confidence.
Concord had also changed pitchers for the bottom of the third, and I stepped into the box to meet her. I belted the second pitch deep over the center field fence to pull Team White within 12 runs. Boisvert then bounced out to third, but was followed by a single by Cookson and another walk by Ed MacKenzie. They were stranded, however, when McPherson grounded out to second and Pappathan, battling a head injury sustained from a collision with the sound system, struck out.
The top of the fourth would prove to be the best one for Team White defensively, with only three Concord batters coming to the plate. Concord got the leadoff runner on, but she was caught stealing on a beautiful throw from catcher Campbell and nifty wraparound tag from me. First baseman Gladstone would soon end the inning with a superb catch of a tough pop-up in foul ground by the home dugout.
Down 14-2 heading into the home half of the fourth and final inning, Team White refused to give up hope. Paquette, Katie MacKenzie and Dussault drew consecutive walks to start the inning and load the bases, but Campbell struck out and Martel flew out to left field. This flyout turned into a double play when Paquette attempted to tag up and score, but was thrown out at the plate. However, lost in the confusion was the true number of outs, and play continued with the umpire showing only two outs. Gladstone and I drew back-to-back walks to re-load the bases and drive in a run before Dussault scored on a passed ball and Boisvert lined a 2-RBI single to right. With the score now 14-6, Team White could feel the momentum shifting their way. But it was not to be. Although Cookson drew a walk, Ed MacKenzie grounded out to third to end the game.
Despite the loss, Team White was satisfied with the way they had played. Concord goes on to play in the World Series, while Team White disbands until the day when their talents are needed once again.
