A Bunch of Mugs and a Pitcher 3, Oops, I Crapped My Pants 2

Kick the Ceg 3, A Bunch of Mugs and a Pitcher 1 (16 innings)

After a combined 23 innings of intense play-off kickball, the phenomenal season of A Bunch of Mugs and a Pitcher (8-2) officially came to an end Thursday at Riverside Park. The conclusion of the doubleheader marks the culmination of an evening filled with strategic kicking, captivating pitching, and reliable fielding. It was, without a doubt, a night of epic proportions.

Looking to avenge last season's upsetting loss, the Mugs faced off against Oops, I Crapped My Pants (5-4) in the play-off opener for both teams. This time around, the emerging victor was no accident. The Mugs once again relied on a total team effort to successfully flush the Crapper's play-off aspirations.

The visiting Crappers threatened early by placing two runners on base in the top of the first inning. The Mugs held their own, though, as a confident Samanda Hawkins made a breathtaking catch, inspiring her team to withstand the pressure and prevent the Crappers from making an early mess. After battling back and forth for several innings, the teams were deadlocked at 1 to 1. But in the bottom of the fifth, the Mugs offense ignited. Surefooted Greg Fine kicked an RBI double to provide the Mugs a lead they would not relinquish. Sacrificial Meghan Keating then followed suit, putting her body on the line as she lunged into the first baseman, successfully breaking up the throw and allowing Fine to race home with what would prove to be the game winning score. Not going down easy, the Crappers mounted a substantial threat in the top of the sixth when they managed to close the gap to one run. With a runner on second, the next batter struck a well placed ball down the third base line. The runner rounded third with dreams of scoring the tying run, but divine intervention struck and he instead found himself stumbling to the ground. The alert Brian Pemberton quickly fielded the ball from left field and with sniper precision, nailed the runner before he could cross home plate. The home crowd erupted in wild cheers, the score stood and the Mugs advanced to the next round. For the Crappers, the loss justified their enrollment in sportsmanship classes this off-season, but more importantly eliminated them from the play-offs. Early reports out today indicate their pants may not be the only things that will need changed if they are to return next season.

In the second round, the Mugs were challenged by Kick the Ceg (7-3), a familiar, friendly foe whom they defeated in tightly contested regular season game. This time around was no different. Symbolic of their previous meeting, the Ceg's opened the scoring in the top of the first, plating a run to take an early 1-0 lead. The Mugs offense responded with a run of their own when the elusive Pemberton navigated his way home to knot the score. Both team's defenses stiffened and the marathon had officially begun. Most would have wilted under the intense pressure of going the distance, but luckily for the Mugs, stamina was never an issue thanks to the full supply of specially concocted Jell-O produced by Team Nutritionist Craig Heiser. Stellar defensive plays became the norm as pitcher Mike Randolph turned in another heroic effort, throwing fourteen consecutive shutout innings. Unfortunately for the Mugs, the Ceg's were the ones to find their scoring touch first, plating two runs in the top of the sixteenth for the hard fought victory. It was a valiant effort that both teams should forever be proud of.

The Spring 2004 Kickball Season has officially come to an end for the Mugs. To celebrate their achievements this year, plans for an autograph session and team reunion are already in the works. Stay tuned for details to come.