Short turnaround, big inning pushes JABO to victory
Posted by chrisfurman on July 27 2010 13:32:41

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Following last week's disappointing loss after a three-week layoff, the Just a Bit Outside Softball Club's mens team was looking to get back on the field quickly to try and get rid of any rust they may have accumulated. While a good test for the crew, the team managed to do exactly what they wanted to, and came out on top with a 16 - 12 win over Bill Brasky's Monday night at Bleeker Stadium.

Both teams came out of the gate fast, putting up four runs each during the initial inning. But after giving up three more in the top of the second and going down 7 - 4, the club's bats appeared as if they were finally out of their slumber, posting seven runs in the bottom of the second.

"That second inning is what I feel was really key for us the rest of the night," manager Chris Furman said after the game. "We put together a good string of at-bats that inning that really boosted the team's confidence, and it carried through the rest of the game."

The string of at bats Furman is referring to came with two outs in the inning, where the club rattled off 8 consecutive hits -- starting with Furman's second double of the game -- that produced six runs and allowed the club to bat through the order in the inning.

Once they took the 11 - 7 lead into the third, you could sense that there was a confidence in the team back out on the field. Players were making solid defensive plays and, while the club only scored 5 more runs in the game, the at bats were much crisper, forcing their opponent to come up with tough plays to record outs.

Despite the rough couple of innings, Danny Benitez pitched an excellent ball game, with both the fastball and the change working for strikes. In the end, he finished with a complete game, giving up 12 runs, but also striking out 3 batters.

The team now has an 8 - 3 record, moving them back into 3rd place in the Southern division. Their next game is on Thursday, July 29 at Bishop Maginn versus Vicarious Visions (2 - 9). Game time is 6:00pm