MPR played five games during Saturday’s tournament, winning three.  We didn’t win the championship, but as Linda Wareham always says, when she’s not getting dogs drunk: “We’re champions in our hearts and feet.”

Here’s a recap:
Game 1 — Loss to Capitol Offenders
CO – 222 045 – 15
MPR – 030 220 – 7

Ben Wareham was a late scratch for breaking team curfew…

Even so, MPR made a go of it until the last couple innings, when the Offenders broke away to win 15-7.  Gus had a nice triple and scored twice; Fred knocked in a couple runs.  Johnny hurt his finger.  The loss, though, was all part of Captain Tom’s scheme to win the tournament via the loser’s bracket.

Game 2 – Win vs. Pino’s Pizza
Pino’s – 050 010 2 – 8
MPR   – 700 205 x – 14
Despite some team members never having heard of Pino’s, MPR pulled off a nice 14-8 win, thanks to a 7-run first inning that included a boatload of singles to the left side.

Ben Wareham, fresh off his hangover nap…

… hit two home runs and knocked in six runs.  He was banned from playing the third game for hitting too many homers.

The game also included the tallest umpire in MPR softball history.

Game 3 – Win vs. History Center
His.  – 000 300 – 3
MPR – 525 42x – 18

MPR scored an 18-3 rout of the History Center, despite Mason’s horribly awful strikeout in the first inning.

Gus hit two home runs and scored thrice.  Jeff Bina also played.  After the game, some folks went to McDonald’s and brought back food for the parched team.

Game 4 – Win vs. Cherry Pit!
Cpit – 020 410 – 7
MPR – 010 511 – 8

After losing twice during the season to Cherry Pit, MPR feared the day might end here.  But Gus had yet another home run, helping MPR beat Cherry Pit 8-7!  A Jeff Johnson single in bottom of the sixth scores the winning run, Srini.

Game 5 – Loss to OBB
OBB – 203 056 – 16
MPR – 110 303 – 8

We held OBB close until the last two innings, when either the gas ran out or our subs messed it all up.  Johnny Rothman had three doubles and scored three runs.  Laurie Johnson just kept pitching and pitching and pitching.  Linda Wareham’s parents watched.  So did Jim Bickal, back in Minnesota from his vacation.

The late rally in the last inning, though, wasn’t enough as the MPR season ended there on field four.  All were pleased, though, with the day’s play and Chalk Talk was immediately ordered.

Other notes:
– Captain Tom won the coin toss every game and MPR (maybe for the first time ever?) was home team in every tournament game.
– Srini had a flat tire after the tournament that Captain Tom changed.
– At Chalk Talk, Gus won $104 in pull tabs.
– The day marked the return of Tom Rothman!
– Laurie Johnson and Johnny Rothman played every single inning.

Let’s hear it for the roster of players out there Saturday!  Brian Bakst; Jeff Bina; Fred Child; Tim Dennis; Linda Fantin; Sara Ibis; Jeff Johnson; Laurie Johnson; Gus Liepitz; Kari Ness; Srini Radhikrishna; Emily Reese; Johnny Rothman; Tom Rothman; Ben Wareham; Linda Wareham; Captain Tom; Kate Weinstock; and Mason Wibstad (who struck out).

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