10/15/2012

We played hard and were in the game until the 4th when the Lame Ducks put a win away. Although the team showed great effort and enthusiasm, it would not be their night vs Lame Ducks.

Eddie did have 3 hits, Jim 2, Coach 2 and Joe connected for a 3 run homer to open the game. Doreen had a 2b and Stephen a 1b.

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10/11/2012

The team beats Stabbin 16 - 13 as the bats were hot in the second by scoring 11 runs. It was a game that was not looking good for us in the first as Stabbin started the game off with two over 6 feet guys that could crush the ball. Berger did manage to hold the inning with only 2 runs scored. Coach pulls team together to state that we know now what type hitters the 2 new players for Stabbin are like. All we need to do is play sound fundamentals and relax when at bat, then we will win.

Todd & Ron hit two RBI singles to cut Stabbins lead to 5 - 2. We quickly got off the field in the second to try and get the offense going. Well it did with eleven runs that seemed to rattle Stabbin. We came up with 10 straight hits, keyed by a two run single from Stephen and a two run homer from Ron. The inning was great as we got
to see Amanda & Shanon get two strong hits in their first game with Upper Deck. As the Coach took note of the bench to see the new additions be welcomed. Several of the players commented these two new Ladies will help us win it all.

As for the game it continued with not many runs for both teams which caused some tension for the team as Stabbin cut into our lead. However, with timely hitting by the Coach and Bob, Upper Deck would win it 16 - 13.

DEFENSIVE NOTES: Tracey, "the player of the game, made a great catch in RF that prevented a big inning for Stabbin. Ron continues with spectacular catches in left to get us out of big innings. Shannon played a great at first by scoping low throws out of the dirt to help us get the offense going.

OFFENSIVE STARS: Bob 2 BB's and two 3B's, Todd 3 hits, Ron 2 hits one being a blast for a HR, Berger, Joe, Coach had 2 hits each, while G-Man, Stephen & Brandon had 1 hit each. Our new additions Amanda & Shannon made a great impression as Amanda had two 1B's & Shannon a 1B and 2B, nice job ladies.

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10/09/2012

The team bounced back nice with a solid win after the loss to Lame Ducks. Stephen would pitch another good game, while Todd got a nice two inning save. They were backed up with solid defensive fundamentals. Ron made a great running catch in the LF foul area, while Brandon made another great catch tracking down a ball in the RCF gap and Michaele made a catch in the RF darkest area; preventing Waxy from having a possible big inning.

All in all Upper Deck played a solid game on defense and offense. As indicated their was several good defensive hustling plays. The team was on fire with its hitting into several gap shots and solid line drives past the outfielders. Although the team did get help, from 6 errors by Waxy, the team continued to hit until the Umpire called the game in the 5th due to the slaughter rule.

DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: As mentioned earlier Michaele, Ron and Brandon made nice catches that prevented big innings for Waxy. Nadia had another good game catching as she would keep Stephen and Todd in their Rhythm. Joe had a strong game at SS, made the team feel it was in control of the game.

OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Nadia, Michaele & Doreen each had 2 hits and scored 5 runs nice job. Ilsa had a hit for an RBI. Joe collected 4 RBI's, scored 3 times with 2 hits. Brandon had 5 RBI's, 3 R"s on a 3B and HR. Bob continues to hit great leading off for Upper Deck, he had 2 hits one a HR, scored 3 times and had 3 RBI's. Todd hit line drives for 2 hits with a RBI and 1 Run. Ron & Stephen both had a 1B & 2B. Stephen collected 3 RBI's and scored twice, while Ron had 2 Runs and an RBI. If you remember the "road runner cartoon", it's Eddie as he had a 3B that I swear his feet looked like they never hit the ground he was that fast like a speeding bullet. He had 2 RBI's and a run nice job.

This game showed Upper Deck that if it plays sound fundamentally on defense and hits with line drives there is no stopping it.

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10/09/2012

The score is misleading for the Lame Ducks had this game with 8 runs in the third. Our defense did not play sound fundamentals that inning as we gave them 4 runs. After the games everyone knew we had to put this game behind us. The old saying, "we lose and win as a TEAM".

OFFENSIVE NOTES: Joe and Chris did get 3 hits. Bob, Brandon, Ron and Coach collected 2 hits each. Doreen also did have 2 hits. Joe and Coach had 2 RBI's each.

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9/30/2012

What a GAME! What a spectacular TEAM VICTORY! What DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMELY OFFENSE! One might say the jumping up and down with high fives for Stephen on the pitcher’s mound, was similar to the 2004 Red Sox Celebration. It brought back the memories for some of what it felt like when we were kids. A night to remember, as Upper Deck started its game down 10 to 0 due to the fact only two Ladies could play. The Coach knew it was a difficult challenge but he had faith that the team could pull off a win.

Jim Marsh, a veteran ball player got it going with a single, Bob would then knock him in with a sharp single for the Teams first run. Waxy put up 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st to increase its lead 13 to 1. Although the score made it look as if they were still in control 14 to 3 going into the fourth; it was not over. The Coach pulled the Team together to express his confidence that the team was going to win, if it could put a halt to Waxy scoring more. The defense would shut them down by giving up 1 run the rest of the game.

Upper Deck would start to pick up its offense in the fourth. As Ron led it off with a shot for a HR which that seemed to get the Team going. Chris followed with a hustling double and later scored on a triple that hit the base of a tree in LCF by G-Man. Stephen then followed with a double to score Mike. Jim continued the inning with a Sac Fly to move Stephen up; Ilsa then drove him in on a productive out to second. In the fifth, G-Man hit a double to score Brandon who singled earlier. As Waxy stepped up to hit in the fifth, they knew their lead was slipping away at 14 to 7. Waxy did score a run in the fifth, but one could sense the momentum shifting to Upper Deck. As Coach walked by the umpire to the bench he said “that is it they are not scoring again, we are going to win”. He in turn commented, “If any team is going to pull out a victory it is your team”. In the sixth, Jim ledoff with a single and Ilsa followed with a well placed single down the right field line. Bob followed with a sac fly to move Jim to third. Nadia then came up to score Jim on a force out. This game of softball seems to have many ups and downs, but enough already. Give Nadia a break, as she hits line drives every at bat.

With the team trailing 15 to 9 as it took the plate in the seventh; Coach commented, “we have a string of men hitting right now, let’s do it”. Joe the catalyst of the team, got Upper Deck going, as he hustled to prevent a double play. The God’s may have been on our side at this point, as Ron and Chris hit back to back singles as the outfielders could not come in quick enough to get two outs. G-Man then walked to load the bases for Stephen you could sense that we were meant to win. With two strikes on him he hit a double for two more runs. Jim followed with a RBI single to make it 15 to 14, Waxy. Trailing by one run with two outs and Jim in scoring position, it came down to Bob to knock in the tying run. Well the clutch hitter that Bob is hit tripled to tie the game and put himself in scoring position for the lead. Waxy though got the final out and headed to the bench knowing that one run, wins it for them. If the game had not been exciting to this point, it certainly would start.

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9/30/2012

Upper Deck behind a gutsy pitched game from Stephen would shut Waxy down in the bottom of the 7th, but not easily. It took a great throw from Brandon in CF to nail the winning run at home as Stephen tagged the runner out. With the score tied 15 to 15 after seven, the Ump was about to call the game a tie, however both Teams would convince the YMCA rep and the Ump to go one more inning.

As Brandon stepped up to the plate in the 8th, Upper Decks bench felt the win could come this inning. He would drive a ball deep for a triple and score on a 1B from Joe to take a 16 to 15 lead going to the bottom of the eight. After two quick outs by Waxy in their 8th, Upper Deck just needed one more out, but Stephen was facing one of the best hitters for Waxy so it would not be easy. As Stephen threw the pitch with two outs, both teams were watching intentionally, for the outcome. Artie would hit a solid line drive right at Stephen, which he caught for the final out and giving Upper Deck a win 16 to 15. The play will go down as one of the best game ending catches in a game with so much on the line. When asked about the catch, Stephen commented, "I caught it in self defense", but also for the final out for a great comeback victory.

DEFENSIVE STARS: Number one by all means is the fielding by Stephen and his perfect throws to second taking out the lead runner. Mike, G-Man, made several picks on low throws at first to prevent potential big innings. The outfielders made several plays on balls hit to the gaps, which prevented many runs. Their throws back to the infield kept Waxy from advancing a base throughout the game and the force play on. Bob not only controlled where throws from the outfield needed to be, he and Joe made several big plays at critical times in the game to prevent runs. The ESPN defensive highlight of the game came with a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh that was the potential winning run. Brandon made a catch in CF and then threw a strike to home plate that Stephen caught and tagged the runner out. Nadia again was very solid behind the plate as she kept the ball in play for Stephen to pitch in a rhythm. She also was in place to take the throw from Brandon to tag the base runner until Stephen cut the throw off to tag the runner. Nadia also set up nicely for the ump to get a good view of the plate as pitches came in.

OFFENSIVE STARS: Ilsa & Nadia had a 1B each. Jim did well in the leadoff spot, going 3 for 4 and scoring 3 times along with 2 RBI’s. Bob continues to hit well as he collected 3 hits one being a 3B. Brandon not only scored the winning run after his clutch 3B in the eight to lead it off; he was 3 for 4. Ron was 3 for 3; one hit being a HR. Chris had 2 hits, one being a 2B. G-Man came up huge with 3 hits one being a 3B. He also had 2 runs and 3 RBI’s. Stephen had a 1B & two 2B's for 4 RBI's & 2 runs. Joe got two singles, one being the game winner in the eighth.

Final note: Our WIN was great. The way we did it was the true meaning of a TEAM. As Coach it really made me feel great because you all listened to my advice throughout the game. Upper Deck displayed how well Team Chemistry helps you to win a game. It proved that if you support one another through the ups and downs of a game there is nothing you cannot overcome. You also did it with class by not rubbing it in with Waxy’s.

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9/27/2012

The Team had several bright moments in its first game vs Powermatic. In the first inning with runners in scoring position new comer, Jim Marsh displayed his defensive abilities by making a diving catch in RCF and then nailing a runner going back to 1st. The play seemed to spark Upper Deck.

Down 3 - 1 in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Brian Owens got the team going with a 2B that found open space in the outfield. After 2 quick outs with Owens still at 2B, Jim hit a 1B for 2 RBI's. Later in the inning after Brandon & Stephen hit singles Bob hit a 2B that scored 2 Runs that made it 5 - 3 at the end of the 2nd. Powermatic would put up 2 runs in the 3rd to make it 6 - 5 Upper Deck. In the 5th we bounced back with 3 runs in part to a 1B from Coach, a 2B from Bob and Ilsa on a productive RBI out. Ron would follow with a 2B with a RBI. Powermatic would not go away as they put up 6 more runs in the next 3 innings; however Upper Deck held it together as a Team with 5 runs in the 6th. A 1B by G-Man got it going to be followed after 2 outs on a RBI 2B, from Joe, RBI 1B's from Brandon and the Coach. Powermatic did score 2 in the 7th, but it was enough as Upper Deck won 14 - 11.

DEFENSIVE STARS: Jim diving catch in RCF and completing the play by nailing runner back to 1st. Michael made a deep catch in LCF with runners on. Ilsa played a strong game at 2B, so did Joe at SS and Bob at 3rd. Nadia was very solid behind the plate as she kept the ball in play for Stephen to pitch in a rhythm.

OFFENSIVE STARS: BOB, what a game he had. 1B, three 2B's and 5 RBI's. Joe with two 3B's, Brandon with two 1B's and a 3B for 2 RBI's. Stephen, Brian and Coach all had 2 hits.

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9/27/2012

The team defensively started off bad in the 1st as Red Wing scored 4. In the bottom of the inning Upper Deck came back with 3 run's thanks to a two run 3B from G-Man. We then scored twice in the 2nd as Brandon, Jim, Chris, Coach and Bob collected back to back 1B's to take a 5 - 4 lead. Red Wing came right back with 4 in the 3rd and 1 in the 5th. Trailing 9 - 5 in the bottom of the 4th, Coach mentioned let’s try for 5 runs this inning. Thanks to a 2 run HR from Chris a new addition to Upper Deck, the team was back in the game tied after the 4th. The game at this point went back and forth until the 7th when the excitement kicked in. Down 12 to 11 in the top of the 7th, Red Wing not only tied the game they took the lead 15 - 12. Upper Deck would pull it together for a rally in the bottom of the 7th. Nadia came up huge with a 1B after Ron, one of the team’s best hitters got out. Stephen followed Nadia with a clutch BB that set it up for a 2 run 1B from Michael. G-Man kept things going with a 1B and moved to 3rd on a error on Kayla's ground ball for a RBI. With a tied game 15 - 15 and G-Man at 3rd for a potential winning run as Joe came to the plate. The clutch hitter he is, Joe would hit a sac fly to knock in G-Man for the win 16 - 15.

DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Stephen made several stops on the hill for key outs. Ron was very steady in Left as he prevented some well hit balls from getting by him deep. G-Man played well at 1st to save some low throws. Nadia again played a very strong game behind the dish. She is considered by many now in the league and with Umps as one of the top catchers. Her ability to keep a pitcher in a grove is excellent which allows the defense to come up with quick outs.

OFFENSIVE STARS: Stephen not only pitched a good game he also contributed offensively with two 1B's & a 2b and scored 3 runs. Michael had a BB and two hits, one of them a 3B that shocked Red Wing. She also made a nice slide into 3rd on the play. Brandon collected 3 hits, one being a 3B. Jim, G-Man & Ilsa came up with two hits each. Nadia had a clutch 1B in the 7th to start the winning rally. G-Man also scored the winning run on the sac fly by Joe. Chris had 2 hits, one being a HR for 3 runs while the Team cheered him on. Coach contributed 3 hits. Well that leads us to the MVP of our second game of the fall season. Joe had a 1B, 2B for 2 R's & 2 RBI's before his thrilling game winning RBI on a Sac Fly. Way To Go JOE!

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