Burford Men’s Slo-Pitch: Davis Fuels shine on Diamond B
The Brewers shine on Diamond B while no one shines on Diamond A
By Jesse Ferguson
Diamond A was out of commission at Burford Optimist Fields with a few compromised light standards on Wednesday, May 16, and as consequence, no Burford Men’s Slo-Pitch League games were played on it. Even the early game was not played, although the sun didn’t set until 8:30.
However, it was explained by League commissioner Jon Chambers that since the umpire was hired for both games, it doesn’t make sense to make him drive from town to town for two games, not to mention to do so in timely fashion, when the games are slated to go right after one another. So it was decided both games would be played in nearby Mt. Pleasant.
Tota Farms‘ Rob Lowes chimed in and said these teams were okay with the change of venue since they believe they’re travel team-calibre anyway.
The lone early game at Burford Optimist Fields was between Tota Farms and Davis Fuels’ Brewers.
Teams went back and forth in this contest. Tota’s went three-up, three-down to start things off though. After three innings, it was knotted at 4-4.
Davis Fuels’ pitcher Vernon Tipping was getting agitated first at his team’s baserunning, then at his middle infield’s indecision who covers second base. His discontent was lessened when comedic relief behind the plate, Tota’s Lowes, called him the oldest player in the league. Tipping laughed last as the at-bat ended in a hit.
This game marked a return of Steven Alice Aichmayr. Aichmayr, as you may recall, used to star on the Tota team when they were Muir’s and before that New Kids on the Block. So was he back to burn his old team?
He was trying as he hustled home on an infield put-out for Davis’.
Jamie Davis made a return of his own for Davis, smacking a homer as tenth batter, cashing multiple runners. He did all this wearing a baby blue t-shirt. Because he doesn’t have a shirt in the extremely rare colour of white, which is the Brewers’ main colour…..
Regardless, this capped off a getaway inning for Davis Fuels where they put up an impressive eight runs! This put them up three on Tota’s, who were spooked by the Brewers’ total and went down in four batters in their half of the inning.
Levi Smith made a great play defending on the mound by diving to his right to make the stab on a one bouncer. Davis’ still put three across in the eighth, including Dallas Boakes scoring one of his game-high five runs.
Entering the ninth and final inning, Tota’s was stuck seven runs. Davis Fuels, however, entering their peak hour of their Five Hour Energy drinks, absolutely crushed the ninth (open) inning. Starting with a more eased Tipping, they went through the order, cashing another eight runs to put the game likely out of reach. John Keczan, Mike Henrique, and Davis all scored.
Being the third out of the eighth inning (as if he planned it), and thinking there was no chance his spot in the order would come around, Lowes took off his spikes and put on his sandals. However, even as the first five batters scored for Tota’s, including Tom “Girth” Bell, Lowes didn’t move a muscle to his spikes.
Last week’s hero, Tota Farm’s Aiden Giles then smacked a homer of his own in the ninth to make it interesting. Tota’s somehow, some way, were looking capable of making the impossible comeback from 14 down! With just five batters up, they had shrank the lead to nine with nobody recording an out.
A text floated on Lowes’ phone that read “I hope you have to hit in your sandals.”
With Lowes all the way upto on deck (next batter up), his confidence was not with the batter ahead of him, Travis Armatage, until his ball struck the outfield for a hit.
Lowes scrambled to get his shoes on– it’s unconfirmed whether they were even tied– when he stepped to the plate. Undaunted, Lowes (pictured), crushed the ball alike it was his golf driver, up and over the big Diamond B right field fence for a homerun!
This shot put Tota’s Farms down just five– but by now, they had posted two outs. Their eleventh batter of the inning could not stretch the game any farther. Davis Fuels wins their first game of the season, defeating Tota’s 26-21.
On Wednesday, the Brewers will try to defeat the undefeated Bon Lane Bushwackers.
This week Bon Lane edged Burford Auto, 25-20; while the Cement Heads pounded Ackland; and Bre Haul crunched the newly named Crunchers.
For last week’s article, click here.
For a look at the schedule and scores, click here.
For an update on the standings, click here.
For my other articles on 4BRANT, click here.
Pictured: Tota’s Farms’ Rob Lowes takes a break checking his phone after taking his spikes off in favour of sandals. Lowes had to quickly put his shoes back on and hustle to the plate
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