BatPak fall at the final hurdle.

By Dave Lee Travis - the Hairy Cornflake.

Oddsox Green 10 - 9 BatPak

And so after thirteen games over what seems like thirteen months so stretched and disjointed the 2010 schedule has been, BatPak's opportunity to win the Leinster League Premier Division for a third year running came down to their final game, away to Oddsox Green in Tymon Park.  Both teams had lost only two games in the League so far, and despite the Greens having one more catch-up game to play, with all due respect to their opponents on Thursday, this game would determine whether the title remained in North Dublin with the holders, or made its way to Oddsox HQ for the first time ever.

BatPak were buoyant on the back of last week's defeat of Dodder Dynamoes in the BWC Quarter Final, while Greens were simply motivated by becoming the first ever Oddsox team to claim the title.  Both teams had some supporters and it was good to see some of the softball fraternity make their way to the game.  BatPak's entire playing squad [based in Dublin] were at the game, all prepared to don the black and gold top if required.

BatPak started as they have several times this season, with no hits and no runs.  Greens set out in a determined fashion, swinging at the first pitch, the majority of the hits directed toward right-field.  A home run between Anne Kiely and Pete Mullen from Brian Connolly scored the Greens' two runs of the inning.  BatPak responded immediately, with Captain Emma Kilbride starting a string of seven successive hits interrupted only by Julie Walsh's pop-up to second-base.  A triple from Dave Pepper scored the Captain, and singles from Anne Kiely, Jon Barry, Carlos Fabian (while attempting to put the ball on the M50), Drew Hennessy and Emma for a second time, along with a double from Pete amassed seven runs in the inning, ended when Dave flew out to left-field.  BatPak had laid down a statement of intent, and Greens knew that this would not be an easy game.  The score was 3-7 going into the third.

Anne led-off with a double, and 'Pak looked set to continue scoring.  However three quick outs from Julie, Ben Emerson and Carlos, all hitting at the first pitch from Eoin O'Connor put an end to that.  It was Greens' turn to put together a run of hits and scores, with five successive singles from Jennie Bohan, Brian C, Linda Davis, Stephen Patterson and Sarah-Jane Walsh being rounded off with a two RBI double from Brian N shifting the score back to Green's favour, 9-6 heading into the fourth.

The fourth, BatPak's favoured inning over the season for digging themselves out of holes that they would not normally be in started this time with Carlos flying out to Linda in left-centre.  Pete got on base following an error by Ollie in right-field, Elaine Kiely struck out looking, however Drew pushed the ball to the right-fiel to move Pete to third.  With two outs could BatPak register a score with the strong middle order coming up?  Alas no, Emma flew out to right-field, and for the second inning running BatPak had left runners on base in scoring position.  Greens faired no better, and their fourth and fifth inning produced no hits and no runs, with 5 of the six outs being catches to the BatPak field, again the right-field being the target but this time Pete and Julie took four of the six outs.

By the end of the fifth inning, BatPak had got one run back thanks to a dropped catch by Brendan in right-centre following an up and under from Dave, reaching second base and scoring following two sac-flys from Emma and Jon Barry.  Going into the bottom of the sixth 'Pak had managed to tie the scores, with Ben crossing the plate.  Only a relay from Ollie through Stephen to Sarah-Jane on third base prevented Elaine and Drew getting into a scoring position and potentially taking BatPak into the lead.

Momentum had shifted slightly to the reigning Champions, Greens had not taken advantage of BatPak's miserly return from the last four innings.  A dribbler through the legs of JB got Ollie on base, but a swift pick-up from Ben had her out on second at the next hit.  A sac-fly to right-centre from Paul Peake, with Pete choosing to use Anne to cushion his fall, moved Brendan to second, and a single from Eoin to right-field scored the tall American.  Greens had scraped ahead by one run heading into the last inning.  This was it! BatPak had one last opportunity to hold onto the title that had been there's for the last two years.  The Captain led-off and grounded the ball to Sarah-Jane, who despite an initial fumble had the arm to throw Emma out on first.  Next up Dave who flew out to right-centre trying to pull the ball.  Two outs, responsibility resting on Anne whose batting this season has epitomised how to hit the ball.  She could only ground out to short-stop, who gently lobbed the ball to first base to end the game.  Greens had won the game, just.

Home advantage would have given them one more opportunity had BatPak scored in the last, this was not required as the BatPak bats found themselves lacking when needed most, scoring two runs over six innings.  Both teams were guilty of wasting scoring opportunities throughout the game, and Greens, perhaps slightly nervous given the situation they were in made five errors against two from BatPak.  But Green's determination at the plate showed, with Drew only pitching 53 pitches to Greens' 79.

So the title looks to be on the way to Oddsox HQ for the first time in their history.  A win against Sluggers on Thursday will confirm this, and given the difference in League standings should be a formality.  That said however Sluggers ran Dodder very close last night, and are capable of pulling out a shock result as a win for them would lift them out of the Relegation playoff spot.

Other LLPD Week 14 Results;

Renegades Red 22 - 23 Marlay Martyrs
Sluggers 8 - 10 Dodder Dynamoes
Blazzers 21 - 10 Castleknock Bearcats