Rain-outs Can't Douse The Week 5 Bammel Vs Bammel Softball Rivalry

Associated Press - Wire Feed

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases but the Bammel Green Machine (2-0-0) mercies came to an abrupt end on Monday night as they defeated the Bammel Purple Crush (0-2-1) by a score of 7-3. Not even the cool fall temperatures could douse the clash of doctrinal flames as the Green Machine's legalistic softball approach overshadowed the more compassionate Purple Crush.

The Purple Crush were limited in their options as the 8:30pm game time approached. Various ailments and absences forced the team into an all-hands-on-deck scenario as the starting lineup included Laurie Brittain, David Winton, David Freidank, Robyn Archer, Macy Archer, Jonathan McCalister, Mandy Chan, Danielle Savaria and Jason Dyniewski. Multiple stadium attendees reported hearing acapella music emanating from the Purple Crush locker room prior to the start of things. If true, the music clearly helped put the team at ease as they jumped out to a quick 2-1 lead after the first inning. Hall of fame tablesetter, Laurie Brittain, led of the game with the 1,001st career hit of her professional softball career. David Winton, David Freidank, Robyn Archer, Danielle Savaria and Jonathan McCalister all contributed with multiple-hit efforts on the night. Unfortunately, the acapella music may have relaxed the team too much offensively as the Purple Crush seemed to lack the power bats needed to drive in more runs on the evening.

The Green Machine were faced with a similar short-handed predicament prior to the first pitch but manager Dennis Huff flew in the face of softball tradition to motivate his troops. While unconfirmed as of this writing, multiple sources reported hearing instrumental music blaring from the Green Machine locker area as the clock counted down to game time. The selected hip-hop beats fulfilled their intended purpose as a Green Machine lineup featuring CJ Ballard, Cassie Miller, Caleb Sanderson, Cordan Ballard, Brent Ballard, Brandi Ballard, Kent Pope, Kay Lee Gibbs and Dennis Huff filled the dugout with plenty of softball swagger and attitude. The Green Machine found themselves in a non-denominational dogfight through three innings but summoned a little extra Holy Spirit in their swings to put a three-run 4th inning together and take commanding control of the game. CJ "Smurf" Ballard must have had a healthy portion of smurf-berries before the game as he put up a sparkling 3-for-4 night in the lead-off spot. Cassie Miller, Caleb Sanderson, Brent Ballard and several others contributed with multi-hit games to lead a victorious Green Machine charge on the scoreboard.

The offense was not the only story on this night as defense proved to be an adventure of its own. The Monday night softball mound was a perfect stage for plenty of drama. Rather than provide feedback via anonymous comment cards, Bammel hitters from both sides of the pew expressed strong feelings toward pitchers Jason Dyniewski and Kent Pope. Jason was forced to duck several scathing line drives while Kent Pope was the unlucky beneficiary of a sharp ground ball off his ankle that likely led to some time with a bag of ice after the game.

Outside of the mound mayhem, several players from both teams put on a clinic of athleticism only seen at the highest levels of competition. Cassie Miller, Brent Ballard and David Freidank displayed amazing flexibility while all three nearly completed the splits during various stages of the game. Not to be left out of the gymnastic exhibition, Brandi Ballard executed a flawless tumbling routine near first base in the late innings. On a more serious note, Mandy Chan displayed her famous defensive tenacity with several key snags at second base while nearly stabbing a rocket line drive out of the air. Robyn Archer did her best Alanis Morissette impersonation at third base - reminding several would-be base-runners that they were uninvited - while recording or assisting several key outs.

The battle of cross-pew rivals ended in dramatic fashion when Josh Kasinger channeled his inner Kirk Gibson with a late-game pinch hit appearance. Hobbled by an exhausting elders meeting presentation that ran long, Josh summoned the strength of Samson as he approached the plate with a gleam in his eye. With a crack of the bat as time expired, Josh raced out the batter's box with the determination of Forrest Gump. Rounding third base, it appeared that Josh might score the fourth run of the night on a pinch-hit home run and cut the deficit to 7-4. Sadly, the entire Bammel Green Machine team was in pursuit and Josh was tagged out a mere two or three strides from home plate. There was no joy in Mudville for the mighty Kasinger had been tagged out.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES: Kay Lee Gibbs returned from an early season ankle injury to record her first multi-hit game of the 2013 campaign. Several other Bammel regulars were missing in action due to various conflicts including Christopher Russo who was chasing UFOs.

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Having finally returned to the field after two weeks of rain-outs, the softball excitement will resume next Monday, October 14 as the Bammel Green Machine faces Spring Creek Red at 6:30pm followed by the Bammel Purple Crush against Champions Blue at 7:30pm. All games are played at the baseball field on the Northland Christian secondary campus.

Fans arriving early will receive a souvenir replica of third base autographed by Josh Kasinger since he never made it home safely.

See you at the ballpark!