SUNDAY, November 3, 2013—We opened up the fall co-ed softball playoffs on a very brisk night at Mama Johnson Field in Hoboken, NJ. The atmosphere felt more like game 7 of the World Series with players giving it their all with every swing of the bat and sacrificing their bodies to make the plays.

The first game was the #2 seed Insects vs. #3 seed Biggie's in the Carlton Fisk Division. Biggie’s wasted no time in the top of the 1^st inning, putting up 4 runs.  Biggie Jason Cieri contributed in the 1^st inning with a 3 RBI double and had a great game offensively.  He hit a solo homerun in the 8^th inning, finishing the night 2 for 4, 2 runs, 1 double, 1 HR, and 4 RBI.  Jason was responsible for 4 of the 6 runs hit in.

After the 1^st inning the Insects settled down and the game became a defensive battle. We thought this game would be a high scoring one because of the teams’ offensive potential.  For the next 5 innings, both teams would match each other with their gloves, and Insects fielders really impressed with the velocity in their throws, especially left fielder Greg Betancourt. A huge defensive play came when the Insect’s shortstop Ryan Arcadia made an absurd diving play on a ground ball that looked like it was past him.  He then threw what looked to be a major league pitchers fastball to 1^st base to get the out.

The Insects had a hard time collecting hits up until the 6^th inning.  They finally broke the ice with Phil Danziger’s RBI triple.  Later in the inning Ryan Arcadia tied the game. He went 4 to 4 with a 2 run homerun.

With time running out, the Insects were down 6 to 4 in the bottom of the 8^th inning but Theresa Torre had a gigantic 2 run single to tie the game up 6 to 6.

Despite the freezing temperature, the players were sweating like it was the middle of the summer in the bottom of the 9^th inning.  Insects had the heart of their order up. There was a runner on 1^st with no outs and Insect Gus Guida hit a game winning shot down the 3^rd base line making sure the runner of 1^st hit home plate safely.  Insects defeated Biggie’s in a classic game 7 to 6.

The second game of the night was the #2 seed Louise & Jerry’s vs. #3 seed Mission 50 in the George Brett Division.  Louise & Jerry’s looked even better Sunday night than when they won the 2013 spring championship. During their championship run in the spring L & J Jude Bracken had a playoff run that most players wish for.  Jude continued his playoff tear going 3 for 3, 3 runs, 3 HR, and 5 RBIs.  He is ABL’s Mr. November.

Louise & Jerry’s had tremendous offensive night putting up 13 runs in 5 innings, however their defense is noteworthy.  They held a very talented offensive team to only 5 hits. The whole team did a great job with their glove especially L & J’s third baseman John Rivera.  The gold glove 3^rd baseman made play after play and the crowd can hear the ball hit the 1^st baseman’s glove with every throw.  John assisted on 11 of the 18 outs (61%).   

Louise & Jerry’s will be awaiting the winner of Pourhouse Sliders/ McSwiggans Pub for the championship next week.