Bold Base-Running Breaks Balmers

The Unnatural Selection played at Fort River #3 on Thursday night against the Ben Gay Balmers. The game marked the return of Ted from his 4 game suspension for betting on games, but also marked the loss of Joe for his multi-game suspension for pitching a spitball in his last outing. The game started out looking like an easy win for the Unnaturals, who were up 12-2 after 5 innings played. But by the 6th inning, the soothing medicated ointments utilized by the Balmers had warmed up their joints as well as their bats and they launched a 6th inning rally that brought the score to 12-6. The Balmer defense also began to buckle down and put an end to the Orange onslaught. Although the Unnaturals were kept scoreless in their last two ups, a series of excellent defensive plays late in the game put an end to the Balmer comeback and secured another W for The Selection. Some memorable final inning defensive plays were Dhruv’s juggling of a long fly ball before coming up with a triumphant barehanded catch and the relay from Greg to James to veteran catcher Amy at home plate for the game-ending tag out. The final score of the game was 12-8. It was the aggressive and gutsy base-running by the Unnaturals early on in the game that ultimately handed Orange the win. Jeff, who is especially known for his aggressive base-running style, fancy footwork, and uncanny flexibility was awarded the MVP for always keeping the Balmers guessing when he was on the base paths as well as playing a tight defense at shortstop that included catching a scorcher to end the first inning and keep the Balmers scoreless in their first at bat.