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.