Slugs to play for title

Another thrilling comeback victory Thursday assured the Slugs a shot at the Summer League softball championship.
Left-fielder Ahmed Ortiz beat out an infield hit to knock in the go-ahead run in the top of the last inning in the 7-6 triumph over E's: The Big Bad Bumpy's. Solid defense in the bottom half locked down the team's sixth victory against one loss. The 6-1 Slugs will face the Bumpys again on July 23 (a make-up from the June 4 rain out) for the title and the coveted t-shirts.
The late-game thrills followed an heroic come-from-behind effort that featured, once again, contributions throughout the line-up:
* -- Two huge plays at first by Jim Miller, scooping two low throws and making an acrobatic leg tag up the first-base line.
* -- Cat-like fielding at third by Erin McGuire filling in for Ryan Lillis who missed the game to be with his family.
* -- Alert outfield play that prevented numerous extra bases by cutting off line drives and making quick, smart throws into the infield.
* -- Molly Dugan's adept snag of a foul tip behind the plate that slowed a Bumpy's rally.
* -- Speedy baserunning by Kevin Yamamura who scored from first on an outfield hit.
* -- Smart managing by Skipper John Kepley (he hadn't had a drink in four days) who noticed the opponents had slipped a sixth man into the field in violation of the rules.
Kepley reveled in the stunning comeback, but said he would use the off week to develop a championship game strategy. Stay tuned.