Bammel Softball Purple & Green Go Undefeated in Week 1

Associated Press - Wire Feed

Weeks of film study, weight room sessions and countless drills on the practice field all paid dividends on opening night of the 2013 Fall co-ed softball season. Hard work and humidity coalesced when the Bammel Purple Crush (0-0-1) tied a strong Champions CoC Blue team 4-4 as time expired in first game of the night. Darkness may have fallen by 8:30pm but the Bammel Green Machine (1-0-0) shone bright under the lights en route to a 6-1 victory over an established Spring Creek squad.

The early game provided the first opportunity to see the revamped Purple Crush roster take the field. The lineup included a mix of familiar and fresh faces as manager Jason Dyniewski trotted out the following lineup card: David Winton (lc), David Freidank (1b), Robyn Archer (2b), Josh Kasinger (ss), Chris Russo (3b), Danielle Savaria (c), Jonathan McCalister (rf), Laurie Brittain (lf), Mandy Chan (p), Macy Archer (rc) and Jason Dyniewski (dh). The Purple looked poised to crush things early with a run in the top of the first inning and a 3-run second inning. However, the early offense dried up as the team went scoreless in the final three innings. Champions would answer with one and three runs in the second and third innings. After that, the teams held their ground defensively as time expired with a 4-4 tie.

The Bammel Green Machine was firing on plenty of cylinders in the 8:30pm nightcap of the expanded six-team league. Led by newly promoted player/manager, Dennis Huff, the Green Machine fielded an equally balanced lineup including CJ Ballard (lc), Cordan Ballard (rc), Cassie Miller (2b), Eric Winkler (lf), Dennis Huff (p), Taylor Huff (c), Erik Peterson (3b), Kent Pope (ss), Carley Pope (rf), and Brent Ballard (1b). While new to the league, the team quickly made it clear that they were not softball greenhorns as they hauled in several runs during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings. Athletic prowess displayed by the team was so beautiful that the angelic hosts in the upper deck were brought to tears - resulting in a slight mid-game sprinkling from above. The team nearly hung an opening night shutout on the opposition but allowed a late run to finish with a convincing 6-1 victory.

Several noteworthy performances were witnessed by both the capacity crowd and a record number of international media credentials. Purple Crush rookie David Freidank could have easily been mistaken for Keith Hernandez given his slick glove work at first base. The Crush also snuffed out more than one potential rally with double plays that included Macy Archer, David Freidank, Robyn Archer and others. Danielle Savaria carried the catching mantle admirably as she looks to fill the socks of former softball professional Coco Stewart. Jonathan McCalister made a memorable softball debut with the bat as he collected three hits and a run scored.

Everyone will remember the debut of the Bammel Green Machine for the record number of father-son-son (Ballard) and father-daughter (Pope, Huff) combinations to grace the field at one time. In addition, defensive gems were the talk of the press box as Erik Peterson and Brent Ballard putt on a clinic of short-hop throws to one another across the diamond. Of course, the clear highlight of the night was a spectacular tag play at second base as Cassie Miller (2b) took a pinpoint relay throw from Brent Ballard (1b) and made the tag with a sliding Spring Creek runner bearing down on her! Offensively, the team ebbed and flowed all evening but found a way to put six runs on the board. To his credit, defensive specialist Kent Pope put several good swings around the ball as he looks to make adjustments to underhand pitching at the highest level of competition.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES: Dr. Bob and Bobby Stewart were placed on the 7-day Spanish test disabled list but should be eligible to re-join the roster next week. Collin Dyniewski and Caleb Sanderson were also unavailable on opening night. Kay Lee Gibbs continues her rehab from a sore ankle and hopes to be activated in the next week or two. Special thanks to Dennis Huff, Kent Pope, Kay Lee Gibbs and Brandi Ballard for assisting with bench coaching duties on Monday night.

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If you weren't able to get tickets to opening night there's still plenty of fall softball to be played. Make your tailgate plans now for Monday, September 16 when the Bammel Green Machine takes on team Romans 16:16 at 7:30pm followed by the Bammel Purple Crush vs Champions Orange at 8:30pm.

The first twenty fans through the gates will receive an autographed ball in the dirt from Erik Peterson and Brent Ballard. A real treat for any Bammel softball fan!

See you at the ballpark!