Shorthanded Bammel Squad Outlasts Champions, 1-0, in Extra Innings

Associated Press - Wire Feed

School is back in session. Football is back on television. Christmas decorations are back in stores and it's only September. It seems like everyone got the message that fall is on the way except the Houston humidity. That rampant humidity contributed to sluggish batting on Monday evening as a short-handed Bammel squad eked out a 1-0 victory over an equally dehydrated Champions team in extra innings.

Though nearly 15-16 recruits have signed co-ed softball letters of intent for the 2014 season, skipper Jason Dyniewski was thrown a curve ball when only eight players on the active roster showed up for the 8:00pm game time. Along with three pickups from Spring Creek, Bammel's defensive alignment included (c) Kent Pope, (p) Aaron [SC], (1b) Dennis Huff, (2b) Carter Rhyne, (ss) Kevin Bone, (3b) Austin Atwood, (lf) Jeremy [SC], (lc) Cordan Ballard, (rc) Jason Dyniewski and (rf) Gerry [SC]. Team statisticians are still consulting ancient sea scrolls but it is believed that the lack of a female component may have been the first non-coed lineup fielded by Bammel since biblical times.

Plenty of Bammel softball defensive wizardry was on display as they matched Champions out-for-out through six full innings of play and into a pivotal seventh inning. Austin Atwood, Kevin Bone, Carter Rhyne and Dennis Huff combined to flash a display of leather and throwing accuracy not seen since David took on Goliath. The infield even turned a triple play during the middle innings to snuff out a potential Champions scoring threat. Not to be overshadowed, Kent Pope exhibited a youthful exuberance behind the plate while providing a clinic on footwork and backstop patrol - making a difficult catch on a pop foul in the latter part of the game.

Offensively, neither team could muster enough of a threat to plate any runs through six full innings. Cordan Ballard did not appear to suffer from any off-season rust as he finished 3-for-4 on the night. Dennis Huff put a charge into several softballs including a screaming ground ball that ricocheted off of pitcher Jason Dyniewski's calf but most found their way into a Champions glove. However, Dennis called on his veteran softball savvy and provided the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning on a walk-off sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Kevin Bone to score from third base and end the contest, 1-0, in Bammel's favor.

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Next week, Bammel carries their undefeated record into another 8:00pm contest against a ship-shape Spring Creek 1 squad. The first ten fans to the game will receive a dodge-ball autographed by Dennis Huff - who promises not to hit you with it unless your name is Jason Dyniewski. And don't forget to bring your glove. You never when know when you might get called up to the Big [Co-ed Softball] Show.

See you at the ballpark!