A premature ending

By Ed Fletcher

In a Slugs first, Thursday’s game ended with the game being called off after All-Star shortstop Dustin offered the umpire some healthy eating tips.

The umpire, who refused to give his name for this report, had previously taken out his frustration over his inability to see the strike zone by ejecting Dustin.

“I’m incredulous,” stated utility player Kevin Yamamura. “It makes no more sense than that budget they just passed.”

The league promised to look into the matter.

“I hope they do a better job of looking into it than Pakistan did with finding Osama Bin Laden,” said Kathy Fairbanks.

The game was called just as the Slugs -- who were in the mitts of a one-game win streak -- were poised to mount a furious comeback against Dirty Deeds. Pitcher Erin McGuire had settled in after some early control problems and the bats were about to come alive.

“We had them right where we wanted them,” said manager John Kepley. “Next time, it will be settled on the field.”

Slugs victorious!

It took three games, but the Slugs got their first win of the season Thursday, an 11-7 conquest of Dirty Deeds.

The Slugs batted around mid-game after a slow start and built up a cushion of several runs.

That was a good thing, because the Deeds started to hit in the last couple of innings. They closed the gap but could not erase the Slugs advantage in Thursday's nightcap.

“We stayed focused, played within ourselves, and finally gave Coach Kepley the win he deserves,” infielder Nancy Fairbanks said.

The Slugs’ success came as every team member wore pink Susan G. Komen wristbands in honor of Sarah Lillis, the wife of Slugs standout Ryan Lillis.

Dan Smith made a strong 2011 pitching debut and also had a good night at the plate. Dustin Nicolodi pounded the ball and played a tight shortstop, battling the infield’s bumper crop of weeds.

Catcher Juliet Williams snared a foul pop behind the plate and had a key hit.

The team celebrated its victory at the Tallac. More than 15 players attended the festivities, where refreshments and pizza were served.

Dribblers:

• Thursday’s game included the first 1-5-3 double play in Slugs history.
  

• Katherine Skorupski’s sister, Elizabeth, of Dayton, Ohio, attended the game and cheered on the Slugs.

• The Slugs face always-tough SoCals Force next week at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday.

Slugs getting closer to first W

Confronting bumps, bruises and a shoebox-sized strike zone, the Slugs came up just short Thursday against the Isotopes.

It was a particularly painful night for the Smith-Dugan household. First baseman Dan Smith had to leave the game after a softball slammed into his shin, causing a huge contusion. Later, catcher Molly Dugan took a throw off the shoulder, forcing Coach John Kepley to once again go to his bench.

Pitcher Erin McGuire got squeezed all evening but never stopped battling. The Isotopes capitalized on the situation, taking walks on fine-looking pitches.

The Isotopes scored a few runs in the first innings. But the Slugs fought back with a seven-run rally. Key hits came from Mark Martin, McGuire, Melody Gutierrez, Ed Fletcher and others.

The atom variants later pulled ahead despite some Slugs defensive magic. Outfielder Katherine Skorupski caught a line drive, catcher Judy Lin snared a foul pop, and second-baseman Gutierrez laid out to stop a grounder from going into right field.

The Slugs went down quietly in the home half of the last inning, with a final score of 11-7.

“Victory was so close I could taste it,” Coach Kepley said after the game. “But I smell a win coming on.”

Game notes:

• Smith spent the rest of the game icing his shin under the supervision of team nurse Mackenzie Yamamura and is listed as day-to-day. (Wait a sec: Who was that playing some tough D at the Y Friday morning??)

• The Slugs had fans Thursday – Kevin Yamamura’s parents and 2029 prospect Finn Yamamura.

• The Slugs play league newcomers Dirty Deeds next Thursday at 7:30.

Slugs get it started for 2011

Slugs softball returned for a 10th season Thursday, as the seasoned squad fell to the Chestnuts despite some spirited play.

Kicking off the 2011 campaign, Slugs rookie Dustin Nicolodi delivered a two-run blast and Kevin Yamamura made the highlight reel with a fully extended catch in center field.

“The mounds of newly cut grass cushioned my dive nicely,” Yamamura said.

The Slugs' offense came to life in the bottom of the third. With two out and Jim Miller on second after a 10-foot hit, the team cut loose.

A key smack came from Kathy Fairbanks, who stepped to the dish after the ‘Nuts pitched around Nicolodi. She made them pay with a two-RBI single to right.

The Slugs set the Chestnuts down in order in the next inning. But that was a close as they got, as the youthful ‘Nuts tacked on a few more runs and won 18-9.

Game notes:

• Coach Kepley said nine runs were the most the Slugs had ever scored against the team of teal.

• Two rain-outs delayed the Slugs' season debut. On Thursday, game-time temperatures were in the 70's.
  

• The Tallac was the venue for post-game pizza, drinks and a Giants 2-1 Opening Day loss. "161-1 is still pretty good," Ahmed Ortiz said.