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As 'Pops' Vigorito called the
two nines to the line, the Sandy Hooks showed immediately drive
and ingenuity as they threw two aces on the board in the first
frame. Without so much as a deep breath, they then slugged their
way to a 7 to 0 lead through the first five innings with hardly
any refutation from the opposing side. It was as if the sea air
had revitalized the moribund soul that lie dormant for preceding
weeks as the bottom of the batting order accumulated an amazing
sum of 15 of the 24 hits that would be credited to the Hooks
in this initial match. Paes, Weiner, Norwich, Long and Wheat
(returning from a reoccurrence of a debilitating shoulder injury
from four weeks back) relentlessly punished the ball while many
of the 'heros' from the proceeding weeks showed more proficiency
in the field than around the plate.
All in all the full team effort confirmed great hope that
the Newtown club, in spite of its less than fortuitous stature,
was making great strides in righting a tortured and lackluster
Spring. Little did anyone know that ill winds were about to change
the club's favorable destiny.
As the game ground down to its logical conclusion, with the
Hooks holding a commanding 9 to 3 advantage, tempers rose to
a smoldering height as Mr. Vigorito was challenged by both sides
to make a command decision regarding an obscure base running
call. Advancement by a baserunner on a bound-out foul had thrown
both sides into a decidedly combative mood that resembled more
of a Democratic floor fight then a satisfying day at the beach.
Both clubs emptied on to the field with all sides jawing, in
a most ungentlemanly fashion, like deranged crows and rabid coyotes
eager to pounce on a fallen prey.
Cooler heads finally prevailed and judge Vigorito returned
both clubs to their positions to play out the remaining innings
of what would eventually end with the Sandy Hooks holding an
11 to 3 advantage.
A short break followed as both clubs retired to the shade
of the abundant maples to strategize their battle plan for match
two.
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