Bammel Guys and Gal Combine for 10-7 Win vs Spring Creek

Associated Press - Wire Feed

The only thing louder than Gideon's men and their trumpet charge was the offensive outburst from the Bammel bats on Monday evening. A return to a co-ed roster and plenty of runs from the bottom half of the lineup allowed Bammel (2-0) to surprise Spring Creek, 10-7, for their second softball victory of the season.

Last week's rain-out proved fortuitous as it provided the front office with extra time to add free agents to the Purple Crush roster. Deals were inked with Ashton and Lindsey Piechota, Eric May and Taylor Rhyne in order to bring the roster up to 11 active players. More importantly, the addition of Lindsey Piechota insured that Bammel would return to its co-ed roots while veteran mainstays such as Cassie Miller, Mandy Chan and Robyn Archer continue working themselves back into game shape. Some media outlets are reporting that Cassie Miller's conspicuous absence may be the result of a lucrative endorsement deal with Graze snack foods but team officials declined to comment.

With a full compliment of players at his disposal, manager Jason Dyniewski submitted a lineup card consisting of Taylor Rhyne (LC), Lindsey Piechota (2B), Kevin Bone (SS), Austin Atwood (3B), Dennis Huff (P), Ashton Piechota (1B), Cordan Ballard (LF), Eric May (RF), Carter Rhyne (RC) and Jason Dyniewski (C). Kent Pope served as the bullpen coach/team pitcher while coming off the bench in a late-inning pinch-hit role.

The top half of the lineup struggled to put runs on the board but it was no concern on this night as the bottom half looked lethal in posting a 4-run second inning and 5-run fifth inning. Carter Rhyne and Jason Dyniewski demonstrated that the "last shall be first" as they each posted a 3-for-3 performance at the plate while scoring a combined five runs from the last two spots in the order. Cordan "Prime Time" Ballard (1-for-3) cooled a bit from his stellar start two weeks ago but that is to be expected for Bammel's two-sport star as he arrived at the ballpark from football practice just before game time.

On defense, a re-worked infield showed no signs of slowing down as Ashton (1B) and Lindsey Piechota (2B) turned in solid performances opposite the equally talented Atwood (3B)/Bone (SS) combination. Lindsey quickly demonstrated a defensive skill set that had scouts raving as she turned force plays at second base and snagged an inning-ending line drive to snuff out a Spring Creek scoring threat. The outfield strategy - young and quick - paid dividends as well with Cordan, Taylor, Carter and Eric exhibiting dynamic range while just missing a few catches off the end of their outstretched gloves.

The only real drama occurred early in the contest when a rocket line drive off the bat of Dennis Huff left Kent Pope with no chance to get out of the way - striking Kent in his pitching hand. This was the second consecutive week in which a hot shot off the bat struck a Bammel pitcher - both times the result of a Dennis at-bat. Kent would shake off the injury and remain in the game but several social media outlets were quick to circulate news of the on-field event with the hashtag #DENNISTHEMENACE. Kent and Dennis addressed the post-game media and assured reporters that the mishap was just part of playing co-ed softball and nothing that a round of golf couldn't fix.

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Two weeks of softball are now in the books along with a few customary rain-outs sprinkled in for good measure. The co-ed softball season continues its steady march to the postseason as Bammel faces Champions for the second time next Monday, October 6 at 7:00pm. Don't miss the chance to get out and watch your co-ed softball stars shine on the diamond!

See you at the ballpark!