No Recounts Necessary As Bammel Tops Spring Creek, 9-7, In Close Race

Associated Press - Wire Feed

NCS BASEBALL FIELD - If you voted this week and were not happy with the results regarding your representation in Washington, DC for the next few years, never fear! In a precinct much closer to home, your life-long voter registration with the Bammel Purple Crush will never leave you feeling disenfranchised. In fact, the Purple Crush represented quite well on Monday night with an expanded roster and a complete game performance as they topped Spring Creek 9-7 to run their season record to 2-4-2.

A grassroots campaign that started back in early September continued to gain momentum this past Monday as the Purple Crush featured one of its largest game-time delegations of the season. A review of the manager's lineup card after the game featured a Who's Who of notable softball greats including Russell Wiggins, Caleb Sanderson, Robyn Archer, Macy Archer, Brent Ballard, Cordan Ballard, Laurie Brittain, Josh Kasinger, Dennis Huff, Mandy Chan, Taylor Rathbun, Mason Rathbun, Stacey Carrasco, Kyle McFall, Aaron Milum, John Taylor, Collin Dyniewski and Cameron Ruthstrom. Together, this House Subcommittee for Co-ed Softball Affairs put a formidable stamp on scoreboard legislation over the course of the evening.

Defensively, Bammel began the night with an arrangement of career infield politicians including Josh Kasinger (3b), Russell Wiggins (ss), Robyn Archer (2b), Dennis Huff (1b), Mandy Chan (p) and a catcher-by-committee rotation. Across the aisle in the outfield, a delegation of Laurie Brittain, Cordan Ballard, Caleb Sanderson and Stacey Carrasco combined effortlessly to veto multiple propositions for base hits by the opposition. Laurie Brittain was particularly busy on the night corralling several ground balls in left field while ensuring that no amount of lobbyist influence would sway the score in the wrong direction.

As the proceedings wore on, the defensive depth of the Purple Crush was epitomized by several key substitutions. Macy Archer (3b) and Aaron Milum (ss) transitioned quickly to the left side of the infield while Caleb Sanderson filled in at first base. The outfield saw considerable turnover with a mix of Mason Rathbun, Kyle McFall, John Taylor, Collin Dyniewski and Cameron Ruthstrom all taking turns to track fly balls. It appeared that Cameron's Halloween reputation preceded him on Monday night when Spring Creek refused to challenge him in the outfield. Perhaps all the opposing batters felt as though hitting in Cameron's vicinity would be the "Bane" of their existence while trying to get on base?

The Purple Crush were sailing to a smooth 9-4 victory before a series of defensive hiccups in the seventh inning left some doubt regarding the final outcome. A comedy of errors allowed Spring Creek to plate three runs and cut the lead to 9-7 with nary an out recorded. However, Bammel recovered and recorded three consecutive outs as Mandy Chan (p), Robyn Archer (2b) and Macy Archer (3b) gobbled up ground balls and made three perfect throws to Caleb Sanderson at first base.

Offensively, there was no need for scripted speeches or teleprompters on this night. The Bammel bats provided a dynamic performance focused around several highlights. Russell Wilson continued his assault on the record books from the lead off position with a 2-for-3 night and another run scored. Macy Archer went 3-for-4 while Josh Kasinger and Dennis Huff both scored 2 runs a piece. Cordan Ballard and Taylor Rathbun were instrumental in fueling positive results among the exit polls --- as they both exited the batter's box en route to successful 2-for-3 nights in the score book. Finally, young Collin Dyniewski made his grand return to the Purple Crush following a multi-week layoff by notching his first career co-ed softball hit with an infield single in the sixth inning --- while also ensuring that fall softball television ratings would appeal to the eight-year old demographic!

As with any campaign, the results on the field require careful planning and methodical execution by a team of leaders behind the scenes. Skipper Jason Dyniewski was once again adamant in deflecting all praise to his running mate, er, dugout coach Danielle Savaria who faithfully managed the lineup, score book and late game substitutions while Jason pitched the majority of the game. It's quite evident that clubhouse chemistry remains high due in large part to Danielle's willingness to keep things organized from the steps of the dugout!

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If you're still undecided about all the Monday night excitement that you've been reading about, there's only one night left to come experience the Purple Crush magic in 2012. Come out to the NCS baseball field next Monday, November 12 to see the final game of the season as Bammel re-matches with Spring Creek at 7:00pm for a softball fellowship extravaganza! Let your voice be heard along with hundreds of other de-VOTE-d Purple Crush fans!

See you at the ballpark!