The visiting Diego Bros softball team beat the San Quentin Hardtimers, 26-18, after a double play stopped the Hardtimers cold.
The bottom of the sixth found the Hardtimers down, 19-12.
“I don’t think it’s enough. These guys can score in bunches. They’re a good team,” said Diego Bros coach Phil about the lead.
Diego Bros pitcher Jim Grove didn’t feel safe with the seven-point lead either.
“It’s scary. I’m terrified of Ke Lam,” said Grove. “It can change any minute; you never know.”
Shon “Jahid” Ruffin started a rally with a single. Michael “Hawkeye” Flemming followed with another. Then Ke Lam banged a homer off the Education Building roof, closing the score to 19-16.
“It’s the vitamins!” Ke Lam joked. “It feels great to be able to contribute.”
DuPriest Brown hit a single and stole third when a ball hit an outfielder in the knee. Windham kept the rally going with a double that made the score 19-17, Diego Bros.
“This team wakes up late, then crawls back into it; they never give up,” Hardtimer coach Dan said.
Top of the seventh, the Diego Bros were held scoreless with a double play. The ball went straight at Flemming on the mound. He caught it and threw to Ke Lam at second, who completed the double play to Cory Woods at first.
Bottom of the seventh, the Hardtimers weren’t able to score and the game was scheduled to end, but it was still early and the Diego Bros agree to go nine.
The Diego Bros poured on more runs in the extra innings, including a two-run homer slammed by Sean “Captain” Morgan. Diego Bros increased the lead to 26-17 by the bottom of the ninth.
“You guys have a distinct home field advantage and I wanted to use it to my advantage,” commented Morgan, smiling.
“These are the hardest guys to pitch to…Every one of these guys can hit a home run,” said Flemming. “They’re my favorite team to pitch against ‘cause you know they go hard every inning.”
Windham hit two home runs during the game, but no runners were on base either time.
“I do what I can. My coach asked for a home run, so I gave it a try,” said Windham.
Eric Post singled, followed by another hit by Caleb McClelland; however, C. Long hit right to shortstop Mike Bristow. Bristow fired the ball to John Tillman at second, who completed the double play to first base. That ended the Hardtimers’ comeback attempt in the Aug. 29 game.
–By Rahsaan Thomas