DRAGONSLAYERS WIN A THRILLER !!!

Sunnyvale....The words " It ain't over til it's over" never rang more true than Tuesday night at the Twin Creeks softball complex. That is where the gritty INS Dragonslayers squeaked out a dramatic 7-6 victory over another longtime nemesis Cups and Cleavage. Last season, under the name Etch Avengers, C + C knocked INS from the unbeaten ranks early in the season. That loss weighed heavily upon the Dragonslayer veterans and provided them with instant motivation to play their best. " We've been looking forward to this game since the schedule came out. " said manager Kim Goodwin, " It's payback time."

The game started quickly as C + C broke through in the first for a couple of runs. Not to be one-upped (or two-upped as the case may be), the Slayers fought back in the bottom of the inning. In his new role as lead off for the Dragonslayers, Steve " Singles are for babies" Mendez crushed a HR to right. Up here in the press box, we weren't sure he was going to make it, but he showed us that all of the off season training has paid off. After a Kelly " Hit it my way" Vincent ground out, Mike " The Mad Bomber " Vannucci ripped a.....single to center. Following a Kim Goodwin fly out, David " Always take the extra base" Maynard slashed a double to right scoring Vannucci.

In the second, C + C broke back on top scoring a couple of runs and the Slayers knew they were in for a dogfight. After, giving up a HR in the top of the 3rd to fall 3 runs down, INS broke through in the bottom of the inning. Steve Mendez reached 2nd on an error and scored on another Vannucci single. "Extra base" Maynard followed with a single of his own and the Dragonslayers drew to within one.

The middle innings didn't feature much scoring but instead featured superb defense from both sides in the swirling Easton field winds. The only scoring in the 5th was a wind blown HR by the C + C number 3 hitter. " Extra base" Maynard lead off the Dragonslayer 6th with a triple and scored soon after on a Kathy Alvarez infield single. The Slayers again moved to within a run and set the scene for the most dramatic finish yet this sophomore season.

As the Dragonslayers moved to the bottom of the 7th, the task was clear. Score two runs, win the game. Anything less and they were going to that great bullpen in the sky. C + C got two quick fly ball outs and Kelly Vincent went up to the plate as the Slayers final hope. Using the sharp eye she is known for, she worked the count to full and drew a walk. C + C, not to be out coached, decided to walk " Bomber " Vannucci rather than risk giving up one of his moonshots to win the game. That left runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. This brought up manager Kim " Hit 'em where they ain't" Goodwin. Goodwin had been struggling with the bat a bit recently but she didn't let this faze her. With a steely stare and firm jaw, she stepped to the plate. After watching the count quickly fall to 0-2 the Dragonslayer bench held it's breath as the next pitch approached. Goodwin stepped into it and hit a dying flair into short right field. C + C players from all around the field converged on it, but somehow, it found the green grass of right instead of the brown leather of a C + C glove. VINCENT SCORES! VANNUCCI SCORES! INS WINS! INS WINS!

As has been the team's style this season, this Dragonslayer win was truly a team effort. Everyone contributed the key hits and defensive plays when they had to be made. The Dragonslayers have shown they can pound out a win, as they did in their 12-6 opening game victory or grind one out like they did on Tuesday. In a departure from tradition, this week there are two Star's of the Game. With the game on the line, they both came up and came through in the clutch. Even though the numbers will show an 0-3 performance at the plate, Kelly Vincent came through with the biggest walk of the season to keep the inning and the Slayers dream of an undefeated season alive. Kim Goodwin's game winning single was her first of the game yet probably the biggest this season, and maybe the biggest of her long and distinguished career. Kelly and Kim are this weeks winners of the Star of the Game. They have each won dinner for two at McDonalds and gift certificates to the local Chuck E Cheese.

Make sure you get your tickets early to the next Dragonslayer game, Tuesday August 5 at 5:30pm on field 9 against the Cisco Kids.

DRAGONSLAYER SOFTBALL........Catch the fever!

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