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Against All Odds

12/12/2018, 4:45pm EST
By Rob Gray

A more in-depth look at how Balls Deep did the unthinkable and took home the division crown.

            It was an inauspicious start to the season for Balls Deep, who crawled out of the gate to an 0-5 record.  After scrapping together a pair of victories, the team struggled again on their way to a 2-9 record.  Why are we talking about this?  Because it makes what comes next all the more impressive.  With a bleak outlook for the remainder of the season, Balls Deep did not give up on their playoff hopes.  Still alive, they would rattle off 3 consecutive wins to close out the season, including a doubleheader sweep that secured their playoff spot, and even moved themselves into the 3 seed.

            Making the playoffs was a nice achievement, but what would this team be able to accomplish when the lights shined brightest after a tumultuous season?  After yet another obstacle in the form of a 5-week layoff due to Mother Nature, Balls Deep returned for a sort of playoff tournament day again in win-or-go-home mode.  Their semifinal matchup put them up against the Warriors and their high-powered offense.  This one turned into a thriller as the two teams took a 22-22 score into extra innings.  Balls Deep would plate just 1 run in the top of the 10th, leaving the game and their season in question.  However, the defense would stiffen up and shut out the Warriors offense to seal the victory.  Balls Deep was playing for the championship.

            In an unlikely matchup, the 3 seeded Balls Deep took on the 4 seeded NJ Expos for the Ricky Henderson division title.  The two teams split the season series 2-2 and came in ready to play.  The championship matchup certainly started with a bang.  NJ Expos led things off with 13 runs in the top of the very first inning.  This large of a deficit this early in the game could have easily been demoralizing.  However, Balls Deep showed the resiliency and mental strength that brought them to this championship.  They would bounce back immediately with 17 runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead.  NJ Expos cut the deficit to 2 in the top of the third, only for Balls Deep to extend it again with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning.  NJ Expos did give themselves a chance on the defensive side of the ball.  They would shutout their opponent over the 4th through 6th innings, scoring 4 in the 5th to cut the Balls Deep lead back to just 2 runs.  NJ Expos would climb all the way back with 5 runs in the top of the 7th to regain a 24-21 lead over Balls Deep.  Balls Deep, once again, would answer the bell.  They scored 4 in the bottom of the 7th to regain the lead by just one run before tacking on 2 more runs in the 8th.  It was do or die time for NJ Expos and they would dig deep to give their opponent one last run at the division crown.  They plated 4 runs in the top of the 9th to take a 1 run lead.  Then, the pressure shifted back to the other side, where Balls Deep need 1 to play on or 2 to win.  Sure enough, that 0-5 and 2-9 team would buckle down for their 5th straight victory to close out the season and seize the crown.  Balls Deep took down NJ Expos by a final score of 29-28.  The Balls Deep offense was fueled by Dave Wasserman, who went 4 for 6 at the plate with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI’s in the first inning and tacked on 2 doubles and another RBI later in the matchup.  Pitcher Rudy Luciano came through in the clutch with his walk-off hit to score Bryce Martin in the bottom of the 9th.

            In the most improbable of seasons, Balls Deep showed the heart and perseverance of a champion.  They did a complete 180 on the season and got hot at just the right time.  It all came together during their playoff push, and they rode that momentum all the way to a championship.  Congratulations to the Fall 2018 Men’s Softball Ricky Henderson division champions Balls Deep!


Congratulations to the 2018 Fall Ricky Henderson Division Champs - Balls Deep!!!

Tag(s): 2018 Men's Fall League  Chosen Few  Thomas Allen Vineyards  Inglorious Batters  North Bergen Dawgs  TAINOS  101 Pub Young Bucs  Team Nemesis  Seton Outlaws  NJ Expos  Bad Intentions  TNT Training  Balls Deep  Warriors  Saved by the Balls