Ninja Rangers vs. BombSquad
The Final regular game of the season and the final chance chance to work out kinks before the playoffs. In typical fashion, the skies opened up and began raining on the BS crew who had a chip on their shoulders and looked very determined. The defense was solid and held the highly ranked Ninja Rangers to 2 runs, which were scored after an error. The BS offense would undoubtedly answer, as cleanup hitter, iz3y! launched a home run to tighten the race for most homers on the team. The Country boy, Ben Ricter, didn't want to miss the party and belted his own blast. The BS crew was off and running.
The game was back and forth and the tension built as the Ninja Rangers began to realize that they were playing a pretty good team. Despite their lofty record, and a guy dressed in full baseball attire (DORK!), the BS crew was never intimidated and played tough until the end. Never was this more evident than when a hot screaming shot bounced off the bionic shin of second baseman, Kelly McCann. That play saved a run and served notice to the NR team that we werent going anywhere. Kelly later made a nice on another hard hit ball, shaking off the inevitable bruise on her shin. Later, reigning 911 award winner, iz3y! took a ball off his right brow causing him to miss half an inning but he stayed on to lead the team to a hard fought unofficial victory.
That Victory did not come without some controversy and venom. In the Final inning, the BS crew entered with a 2 run lead. The Ninja Rangers had the top of their order coming to bat and the mission not to lose. They promptly jumped on the BS crew and scored 5 runs to take a 3 run lead. Leading off was, iz3y, with this being his first at-bat after his injury. He promplty slapped a single to right field, and up came BIG BEN Ricter. Ben Drove a pitch to deep left and iz3y was off to the races. Lil Nick was sending everyone home all night and this would not be his exception. We go to Hawk Harrelson for the call:
"Deep drive to left...STRETCH..STRETCH...its over the head of the left fielder. Coming around second is iz3y and he is being waved home...here comes the relay... iz3y slidessssss, the tag from the pitcher................he bobbled the ball......SAFE..sAFE!!!...and the BombSquad is within two...YESSSS!!!! MERCY!!!"
The Ninja Rangers pitcher was livid. Replays show he not only bobbled the ball, but as he tagged the left knee, iz3y's right leg had already touched home. Ben would score later on an sac hit, and the BS crew was down two. Lil nick would get on, and Kelly would follow after two outs. Up came the fastest runner the BS crew has, Ed Lopez, who carries a perfect on base streak. Ed slapped the ball to the third baseman and because of a slight bobble, Ed narrowly beat the throw. Nick raced from second to score as the Ninja Rangers argued yet another call. Johnner ended the game with a strike out.
Emotions did not end there as the Ninja Rangers were not happy the game ended that way. The BS crew had their own gripe as a run was not counted...an oversight by their scorekeepers. Still, BS manager iz3y was very pleased with the team's performance.
"Just happy we came out and played to our potential. We give a lot of games away and hang our heads. This team has too much character beer to do that for too long. I love how people stepped up, and never got down. I hope this feeling can carry into the playoffs, because the records are wiped clean, and it's win or go to the BAR!"
notes: Johnner played in his work clothes, the ball that smashed Kelly's shin was reportedly dented. Kathy Gennuso celebrated her 27th birthday. iz3y did go to the emergency room keeping tradition alive
