Sunnyvale...Tiger Woods has always said that when he's playing his "A" game, there's nobody who can beat him. The difference between he and the rest of his fellow PGA Tour Professionals is that he can beat them all with his "C" game. That's why he's a superstar. The 1997 INS Dragonslayers appear to be the same. When they play their "A" game they are untouchable. They hit, they field, they score, and subsequently they win. What has set them apart from the rest of the pack so far this season is that when they play their "C" game, they are able to do what it takes to win. Such was the case on Tuesday night as INS battled not only a pesky and persistent CISCO Kids team, but also the elements to emerge with a hard fought 17-10 victory. Life was an adventure out there for the entire left side of the field. Routine grounders became fights for survival and it was all the players in left and left center could do to avoid taking one off the melon. It made for a very exciting game as every time the ball was put in play, no one knew exactly what would happen.

The Slayers started off quickly as the lead off batter, Jason "Wheels" Dominguez crushed a HR to right center. Cisco struck back in the bottom of the inning with 2 runs of their own and the race was on. Steve "Lost it in the sun" Leger led off the 2nd with a single and came around to score on a John "A little dirt never hurt anyone" Krejcha single to right. The inning ended on a sour note with "Dirt" Krejcha getting called out at home on a questionable tag in the midst of a cloud of dust. In the home half of the 2nd, INS gave away 3 runs through a combination of bloop hits, shoddy fielding, and poor decision making. This was a pattern that continued throughout the game. Ross "How about a LITTLE help guys" Roesner suffered through the mental anguish of watching catchable balls get lost in the sun, and bloop singles drop in all around. Being the true professional he is, Roesner never let it faze him and remained focused on the task at hand.

Both team's offenses were asleep in the 3rd but the 4th brought more scoring from both sides. The Slayers scored 4 in the inning the way they've been scoring them all year, by doing the little things. Kim "Hit 'em where they ain't" Goodwin led off with a walk and scored on a Joel "My quad is fine, really" Vincent triple. Another "Dirt" Krejcha single scored Vincent. A Steve "Singles are for babies" Mendez walk then set the table for Loretta " The Road Runner" Tanner. As has been the case all year, "RR" Tanner came through with a 2-out single in the clutch scoring another run. INS finish it's scoring on a "Wheels" Dominguez single that scored Mendez. Cisco came right back in the bottom of the 4th with 3 of their own. At least this time, they earned all their runs on solid hits and smart running.

The Dragonslayers decided to show Cisco a bit of their "A" game in the 5th. Mike "The Mad Bomber" Vannucci led off with a monster HR to left. David "Also Lost it in the sun" Maynard later commented, " As soon as it came off the bat, I knew it was gone." So did everyone else on the field. Kim Goodwin followed with a single, Maynard followed that with a walk, Kathy Alvarez followed with a walk, then Mitch Alvarez lined a shot off the 3rd baseman's glove that dropped in for a hit. One run was in and the bases remained loaded. "Singles" Mendez then cleared the bases with a 3 run triple. Six runs had scored and there was still no one out. "RR" Tanner again came through with a single that scored Mendez and INS finished the scoring with a Vannucci single, his 2nd hit in the inning. When it was over the damage had been done. 7 hits, 3 walks, 8 runs and a 14-8 Dragonslayer lead. It was a lead that would never again be challenged. Cisco tried to answer in the bottom of the 5th but were only able to come up with 2 runs. The Slayer defense had stabilized and relief pitcher Vannucci was in control. Just to ad insult to injury, INS scored 3 more runs in their half of the 6th to account for the final margin of victory.

With this victory the Dragonslayers proved that it's just as important to be lucky as it is to be good and that when the chips are down they do not quit. From an offensive standpoint, the team was solid. You can't fault a team that scores 17 runs in a game, including 8 in one inning. Those kind of numbers reflect a balance and raw scoring power that can't be stopped. An opposing team can only hope that they can contain it long enough to get out of Dodge with a win. They had 7 players with 2 hits and 6 with 1 yet showed the patience needed to take 5 walks as well.

Defensively, the Dragonslayers were less than spectacular. Let's just say they did what they needed to win. The lone defensive gem was produced by Steve Mendez. After "Also Lost it in the Sun" Maynard didn't watch a ground ball go right through the wickets, Mendez retrieved the ball and fired a strike to Vannucci covering at home. The Cisco player was meat and INS was out of the inning. Maynard reported after the game that he was "still seeing spots" but that he'd be okay for his 9:30am tee time in the morning. "Hey some things are more important than softball. Not many, but some."

This weeks Star of the Game had 2 key hits, an RBI and scored 2 runs of her own. She was a perfect example of the INS philosophy of doing the little things it takes to win and both her hits kept innings alive. She is a player that doesn't always get the big headlines or the big endorsements but comes to the park everyday to play. Congratulations....Megan Hughes-Clark! You have won yourself a 1978 AMC Pacer. You can pick up the keys at Manager Kim Goodwin's cube.

The Dragonslayers have finally reached that elusive 4-0 mark. Now the talk must begin. Can this team match the 1972 Miami Dolphins and become the 3rd team in major sports history to finish and undefeated campaign? (the INS Wizards soccer team was the 2nd finishing 8-0 this past season) Will they be up to the pressure and the media scrutiny that is sure to follow them from week to week. When asked about the possibility, Manager Goodwin responded, " We'll do what it takes to win but we just have to take it.....one game at a time."

The Dragonslayers next game is Tuesday Aug. 12th at 5:30p on field 1 against INCYTE. Come on out and say you were there when it all began....... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David Maynard

Copyright � 1997, HippoMan
Revised -- 8/16/97
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