In the season opener, the Diego Brothers softball team torched the San Quentin Hardtimers by 24 runs, but since then the Hardtimers improved. In their last match for the season on Sept. 22, the Diego Brothers won 21-17 after a last-inning Hardtimers rally fell short.
“The last two times we played them, we’ve been right there,” Hardtimer Ronnie J. Hill said.
The Diego Brothers bring top-notch players to San Quentin. They are the 2016 San Rafael Recreation Softball League Champions.
“You guys are competitive,” Diego Brother Captain Morgan said about the Hardtimers. He has been coming into San Quentin for about seven years to play softball.
Hardtimer Tamon Halfin said, “It means a lot that they’re taking time out of their busy schedules.”
Diego Brother John Tillman, who has the frame of a body builder, said, “I come in for two reasons: One, I love playing ball. Two, it keeps me humble. Thereby but for the grace of God – I got sober in 2002; I was on my way here.”
At the bottom of the 7th, the Hardtimers found themselves behind 19-11 with the game ending at the 8th inning, but they didn’t give up.
John “Dunnie” Windham smacked a solo homerun, his second homer of the game, to lead off the inning.
“This is my escape – the frustration, the stress, it’s all released when I play softball,” Windham said. “Not to mention the camaraderie. We get to meet some good brothers from off the streets. I’m still trying to kick their butts though.”
Halfin followed with an in-the-park homer to deep center, that made the score 19-13.
The Diego Brothers got out of the inning without giving up any more runs.
At the top of the eighth, Hardtimer Douglas Aubineau snagged a grounder and made the double play, making two outs for the Diego Brothers. However, Morgan smacked a homer using the bats provided by the Hardtimers, which he called inferior.
“We can’t bring in our good bats,” Morgan said. “These bats are as bad as they get.”
The Hardtimers gave up two runs and found themselves down 21-13 at the bottom of the eighth – their last at bats.
The Diego Brothers walked the first batter then Hill knocked a hard grounder down the third base line, past the glove of Ben Scott for a base hit.
With the bases loaded from an error, Brandon hit a double bringing in two runs, which made the score 21-15 with no outs.
David “Preacher” Dorsageo hit a sacrifice fly ball that made the score 21-16.
With two Hardtimers still on base, the Diego Brothers walked Windham.
The next batter hit a deep fly ball into right field and into the glove of James Schweddy. Two outs.
Halfin delivered with another hit that brought in one more run 21-17.
Then Aubineau made contact with the ball but got thrown out at first, which ended the softball game.
Soul Food Sunday’s Ikeem Meriwether, who played for the Diego Brothers, commented, “I think for a couple of hours, while playing ball, these guys feel free.”
