Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Walk Off Home Run moves Total Depravity to 2-0

Solid defense and smart base-running set the stage for Jon Stephen (pictured to the right making a catch) & his walk-off home-run in the bottom of the final extra inning to propel Total Depravity, Boulevard Presbyterian's Kickball team to 2-0.

The game began with some ambiguity as Barley, our black-clad opponents were unsure if they had the minimum of number of players to field an official team for the August 15th 6:00 PM outing. A last minute female, who came to the game as a spectator, thus explaining her stylish footwear, stepped in gave Barley the minimum and cleared the way for the contest.

In the early innings, solid defense prevailed for Total Depravity as it held Barley scoreless and jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the 1st of Jon Stephens' two home-runs. Barley's scoreless streak would become short lived, as they found their footing and quickly tied the contest that would turn into a sew-saw battle all the way into the bottom of the 7th and only extra inning allowed by Parks and Recreation rules.

With the game tied at 5-5, Barley stranded the go-ahead run when the last out was recorded on an infield fly. Clearing the way for walk-off heroics, and Total Depravity's second win of the season, Barley took the field in their standard alignment. Enter Jon Stephens, who had already recorded Total Depravity's 1st home-run of the year with a shot to right field, lined up and booted the ball deep left field, bouncing past the left fielder as Stephens rounded 1st. Hustling, Stephens approached 3rd when the cut-off fielder got control of the ball, and sensing destiny and his chance at Boulevard recreational sports immortality, Stephens rounded 3rd and beat the throw home amid the cheers and celebrations of his fellow teammates.

For Total Depravity historians this game represented a number of milestones. Our 6-5 victory over Barley represented the first time back-to-back victories were recorded, as well as the first time a player has kicked two home-runs in one game, as well the first walk-off victory. Individually, Stephens' home-runs puts him in the All-Time lead. Also Adam Anderson, a 5-tool newcomer for Total Depravity, executed the first (intentional) slide to reach 3rd base.

Join us next week Sunday, August 23rd at 6:00 PM as Total Depravity defends its win steak against newcomers The Grasskickers at C. Ray Buck Sports Park.

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