Despite 47-degree weather, the warriors of the Red Hook Locals Softball League (RHSL) had an exciting opening day. The weather meant the planned opening day ceremonies did not happen but the Colucci Cup (trophy named for Jack Colucci) made an appearance in the dugout for defending champions Bait & Tackle.
The first two games started at 6 pm with Bait & Tackle taking on the Wobblies in the RHSL’s oldest rivalry on Dovey Diamond (named for Gary Dovey.) Across the street on Field 6, B61 played the Record Shop.
The game between B61 and the Record Shop started first and B61 got off to an amazing start, jumping out to a 10-0 lead. The Record Shop did not have preseason practices so it was their first action of the season and they had to shake off some rust.
However, the Record Shop finished the regular season in first place last year thanks to a powerful offense and they wouldn’t go down without a fight. They strung together base hits, including a lot of extra-base ones, and came all the way back. Late in the game, B61 executed some clutch hits and defensive plays of their own and did just enough to hold off the Record Shop and secure a 14-13 victory.
Wobblies hang on
The matchup between Bait & Tackle and the Wobblies was close throughout with the Wobblies taking a 10-8 lead into the bottom of the sixth. Bait & Tackle got two in the bottom of the 6th to tie it at 10. An errant throw and clutch hit for the Wobblies helped them regain the lead at 11-10 and clean fielding in the bottom of the seventh helped them hang on for an 11-10 win over their rivals.
Hometown cruises to victory
In the night game at Dovey Diamond Hometown took on MiniBar. Last season Hometown went winless and this was MiniBar’s first game so both teams were looking for their first RHSL victory. Thanks to solid hitting and clean fielding Hometown jumped out to a 6-0 lead after four innings and cruised to a 12-4 victory.
Next Games:
On April 22, the Wobblies took on Hometown in a battle of 1-0 teams. The weather was warmer and the Wobblies, the road team, jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. Hometown responded with two in the bottom of the first. A pair of home runs in the fourth and fifth innings helped Hometown take a 9-5 lead. Home runs by Laux and Brown for the Wobblies tied the score at nine apiece going into the bottom of the seventh. A bloop double and a fly ball just out of the right fielder’s reach gave Hometown a 10-9 walk-off win.
On April 25, B61 beat MiniBar 13-4 to stay undefeated while MiniBar fell to 0-2. Meanwhile at Dovey Diamond the Record Shop beat Bait & Tackle 4-1 to improve to 1-1 while Bait & Tackle dropped to 0-2.
On April 29, the Record Shop came back from down 5-0 to beat Hometown 13-8 thanks to a couple of home runs and some clutch hits.
After a rainy afternoon some players were slipping on the field so one player for the Record Shop decided to play the game barefoot.
On May 3, B61 beat Bait & Tackle 17-8, while the Wobblies beat MiniBar 10-1.
SEE OUR JUNE ISSUE FOR MAY NEWS AND SCORES!
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