ECSA Softball hits midseason form

ECSA Softball hits midseason form

by Nick Bowen - Special to the SGN Action for the top spots in each division and the guaranteed World Series berths continued this weekend as the Emerald City Softball Association reached the midpoint in league play. Competition has been fierce and the level of play reflects the World Series sprit that will carry teams into the late summer classic, held right here in Seattle this August. The open D division has two teams that are still unbeaten at the halfway point of play. The unbeaten Rockets and Saints both faced tough games this weekend. The Saints played a scrappy Eclipse team and were tied in the final inning. The Saints came back with one out to score a run and take the game by a final of 10-9. The Rockets had their own hands full with a Pirates team that has been a hard luck team this season, with five of their seven losses this year by five runs or less. The Rockets had to come through in their final inning as well to squeak out a single-run victory, 13-12, in their closest game of the year. Both teams stayed unbeaten with identical 9 - 0 records, setting up a battle royale of unbeatens this coming weekend, May 18. The Rockets, Saints and the 8 - 1 Drillers are all scheduled to play each other in a mini round-robin that may well determine the first World Series berth for the D division. In other D division play, the Throttle, led by their new ace pitcher Smokey, played the Boys Next Door, and notched their first win of the season. In a close game, the Throttle scored with a big first inning and then held on as the Boys Next Door made it close, and took the game by a final of 10-9. The Atomic continued their winning ways with a one-run victory over the Tsunami, and a blowout against the Throttle, to run their record to eight wins against one loss and in a tie for third place with the Drillers. The open C division showed why it's going to be a tough division all year. The division-leading Bulldogs continued their winning ways with two easy wins this weekend. A 13-6 affair with Jerry's Kids and an old-school rout of the Dragons by a final of 34-8, to stay on top of the division at nine wins and just two losses. The Maulers also had two wins on the day, against the Dragons and Jerry's Kids, to run their record to seven wins and two losses and second place in the division just ahead of the Thrusters. The Thrusters knocked off the Sin by a single run, 15-14, as the Sin battled back lead by Troy A. who batted well and had some great defense to keep it close. The Thrusters then took their second game of the day versus the Otters to finish the day at eight wins and three losses and scant percentage points behind the Maulers. In other C action, the Toros won two games to move up in the standings and drop the Animals out of third place. The Animals led by Chad T. with a spectacular diving catch in center field, regrouped and took their next game vs. Poco by a final of 18-8. The Alley Cats had a tough day, dropping a game to the Otters who came up big in their second win of the season by a final of 14-11. In inter-division A-B action, the Knights showed off their defense this weekend against the B division leaders the Pilots as they earned their first victory against them this season by a final of 9-6. In their second game of the day, they showed their offensive power as they scored early and often against the Vendetta, finishing by a final of 21-3. The Knights won both games for the first time this year and are showing they'll be tough to beat down the stretch. In B division play, the Pilots played a great game against the Shock to take a one-run victory by a final of 13-12 and stay on top of the B division for another week. The Shock then beat the Vendetta to keep the standings unchanged this week. Remember to follow your favorite team or to learn more about the Emerald City Softball Association, or the upcoming World Series in Seattle, you just have to visit our website at www.emeraldcitysoftball.org.