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June 25, 2008
Team Chaos on a Roll
Last week, Team Chaos suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Band of Misfits – the only team to ever defeat Team Chaos on the softball field. To add injury to insult, star pitcher Cydney Moora suffered a broken hand late in the game, on a screaming line drive off the bat of one Misfit.
The team had little time to dwell on the loss, as a rainout makeup game was scheduled for last Saturday. Despite the incredible challenges faced in fielding a team on a weekend where half of the players were out of town, coach Manning pulled together a ragtag lineup and prepared to take the field. At this point, it became apparent that the other team been intimidated by the Chaos juggernaut – as they failed to show up for the game. Thus, the Chaos took a forfeit win over the weekend.
Fresh off this momentum building win, the team prepared to take on Team DEI for the first time in franchise history last night. With two injured players, pitcher Moora and shortstop Bret McInnis, and several other unavailable regulars, the team faced a tough challenge in pulling together a lineup. With a few last minute call-ups, the team pulled together enough players to take the field – with Moora deciding to play through her broken hand and McInnis moving to first base to ease the load on his injured hamstring.
Perhaps because of the makeshift team, the team seemed to take their intensity up a notch – as if they had made a collective decision that they simply would not lose. With a sense of confidence and impending victory, the team took an early 5-0 lead in the first inning on a succession of hits by Brian Chase, Joe Lochi, Steve Richter, Jamal Parker, Bret McInnis, Kacy Manning, and Cydney Moora. However, before the inning was over the team faced a new challenge. Recent call-up Jennifer Pachello suffered a leg injury while beating out an infield single. Attempting to run the bases, it became clear that she would have to leave the game.
Even with the early lead, the outcome was far from secure as the team would need to play in the field without a full complement of players. Sensing the moment had come to inspire her team, Manning called the players together in the dugout for a pep talk.
“The best coach I ever played for once said something that inspired our team to victory,” said Manning. “He said if you win today, everyone gets ice cream. That day, our group of 5 year old Little Kicker’s became an unstoppable force on the soccer field. So, what do you say…who wants ice cream!!!???”
With Manning’s words ringing in their ears, and thoughts of Dairy Queen in their minds, the Chaos took the field with utter determination. Every player seemed to take their game to a new level, highlighted by the stellar defensive play of Bret “Roomba” McInnis at first base vacuuming up a variety of throws in the dirt. Inning after inning, the team continued their domination, eventually tacking on five runs in the fifth inning to put the finishing touches on a 17-6 victory.
The season is now past the halfway mark and the Chaos are tied for second place with a 4-2 record. With four games remaining before the playoffs, the Chaos are primed to carry their winning streak into the postseason and an eventual matchup with bitter rivals – the Band of Misfits.
Stay tuned to your weekly newsletter for updates on the remainder of the season as Team Chaos stays in the hunt for their first ever softball championship!
Posted by Tom at June 25, 2008 01:51 AM
Comments
AH yes!
Reminds me of my earlier days on the field with the Oily Devils in Houston. Go get'm Chaos!
Craig (alias "Slugger MaGoo")
Posted by: Craig Hesser at June 28, 2008 08:30 PM