Though the Americans registered the win, 14-4, over the Peppers on a hot (88 degrees), sunny, very humid Thursday night at the A Diamond.

The victory gives the Americans an even 4-4 record, good for third place in the six-team league. The upbeat Peppers are 2-7, in fifth place.

Two sources of the win for the Americans: starting pitcher Scott Ross who pitched five innings and reliever Mike LaBarge who took the
game home. Their essential secret, not to be divulged here: Somehow each could grip and control the ball and throw strikes despite the heat and humidity.

Then five Americans had two-fer nights, that is, got two hits each. Led by Mike Kane who slammed a double and a single, the others
with two singles each included Scott Ross, Mike Aiello, Rich Garbarino and Tony Torre.

Lots of good plays by both teams, but here now, without the book, two stay in these aging eyes: The Peppers Tony Mogavero slammed a nice long hit
to left. The ball stayed in the air, it seems forever. It was nice shot. Impressive. Pretty. And in a late inning, with the Peppers threatening, the Americans' Vinny Koster
scooted from his first base position to the cyclone fence and throwing himself agains the fence, snared what would have been only a foul ball, a strike, and turned it into an out.

When the sun started kissing the horizon, the place became a lot shadier and cooler.

Afterwards, as both teams shook hands, almost every player looked noticeably thinner., though that may have been an illusion. And some
players appeared to be walking on rubbery legs. But both teams exited the gate heads up, in stride.

-M.Hart, a team scribe



-- Edited by mikehart on Friday 7th of July 2023 05:24:53 PM