GARFIELD, NJ -- Opening Day of the ABL Men's Softball League took place on Sunday, 4/9!    The Black Mambas & newcomers, Big Big Willies squared off in a 2 game series to open things up @ Century Field in Garfield for this week's "GAME OF THE WEEK".

It was a beautiful one!  I still have a sunglasses tan line on my face!

The Black Mambas had some returning players from their Fall squad, "Angels in the Outfield."  They are seasoned veterans & it showed!  In game 1, they dropped 23 runs total & the game was over after 6 innings.  They started out strong, scoring 2 in the 1st, & another 4 in the 2nd.  

Leading the way was Nick R. who batted 1.000 with 5 singles, 1 RBI & 2 runs scored.  Billy F. batting 3rd was a monster, scoring 3 runs & a team high "7" RBI's including a 2 run HR in the 4th inning!

Luis G. was equally solid, going 4 for 5, with 4 RBI's, 3 singles & a Homer in the 6th to close things out!

Big Big Willies are a new squad & they might have had some rookie jitters in the beginning.  They were slow to get things going, scoring only 1 run through 3 innings. Suave, batting clean-up, struggled to showcase power hitting, going 0 for 3 with a Sac Fly RBI.  Steve was solid because he got on base 3 times & Coqui had a nice 2-RBI double in the 3rd inning which gave the Willies some life.  In fact, Coqui probably had the best overall game for Big Willies, going 1 for 2, w/ a BB & 2 RBI's.

The Willies outfield needed to communicate a lot better! There were several instances in which routine short pop flys should have been outs, but again, the communication on "I got it" just wasn't present. 

Final Game 1:
Black Mambas - 23
Big Big Willies - 7

On to Game 2.  After a well received "tip" from an unknown source, the Big Big Willies began to realize they needed to "take their pitches".  Translation, "24", yes, I said "24" combined Walks for the Willies!  The Willies were 1 run away from losing 2 straight when they scored "11" runs in the top of the 5th to grasp to life & tie the game!  They actually had a lead at one point when "Rico" Suave bombed a Grand Salami in the top of the 6th inning!  To use his words in the dugout, "I was due!!!".

The Black Mambas weren't about to let a new team come back & beat them!  Edwin P. came up clutch hitting a 2-run Homer in the bottom of the 6th to regain the lead by 1!  He finished with 4 RBIs!  Billy F. again was the star with his bat, finishing with 4 hits (2 Homers) a Walk & 8 RBIS!!!  Kedwin P. was solid as well scoring a team high "4" runs!  With 24 total walks, the pitchers obviously struggled, Perry & Sims have had better days!  But hey, it's Day 1 of a long season!

John W. closed things out in the bottom of the 7th w/ his game winnings 2 RBI double!  KUDOS MAN!

Game 2 Final
Black Mambas - 24
Big Big Willies - 23