GMMB Steals Game with Late-Inning Rally

FH dropped to 1-2 on the season this week due to a late-inning rally and surprising defense from league upstart GMMB.

Fleishman boasted an undefeated record against sister-agency GMMB over the past few years, and entered the game with high hopes to rebound from a three-week rainout layoff. The FH lineup erupted for three runs in the first inning, due to leadoff man Jason Hellmann’s now-routine line drive single, cleanup hitter Jon Berke’s RBI single, an inside-the-park homerun by Dave Whiting, his fourth of the young season.

Both lineups settled down, and the score remained 3-0 FH heading into the bottom of the third inning. However, GMMB was “out for blood,” as quoted by their manager in pre-game conversations, and wouldn’t be held down for long. Their lineup roared back with four consecutive hits in a two-out rally to tie the game at 3-3. Clearly, this was going to be a battle to the end.

FH’s rookies stepped it up in the fourth and fifth innings. New additions Cody Radcliff added another run in the fourth inning with nifty base running with an RBI by Aaron Kaufman, and the team added another run in the fifth inning with a double from Whiting and RBI from phenom Carrie Soforenko. Entering the sixth inning, stakes were high, with FH leading 5-3.

In the bottom half of the frame, GMMB wasted no time closing the gap. A mix of singles and doubles tied the game up, and by the time the dust settled, FH was down 6-5 going into the seventh inning. Three incredible fielding plays by GMMB infielders ended a rally started with singles from Berke and Whiting, and our heroes fell just short. Clearly the multi-week layoff had added on more rust than the team expected.

However, the pleasantly surprising rookie influx has added a dynamic element to FH’s solid core. Many games remain in the season, and FH will look to move to 2-2 when they take on Hill & Knowlton this coming Monday at Meadowbrook Field. Will you be there to cheer them on?

FH Defeats Edelman in Late-Inning Thriller

There is a lot to be said for trash-talk.

With the right delivery, it can strike fear into an opponent’s eye. When substituted for raw talent, it can unveil weakness in an adversary. Name calling, back-handed insults, one-upping, general tomfoolery – there is a certain allure that attracts even the most modest of men to its enchantment like a moth to a flame. No matter how outlandish the banter may become there remains one statistic that trumps any argument – the final score.

In Monday’s much anticipated match-up between Fleishman-Hillard and Edelman, FH had all the right moves to silence the chatter of their bitter rival, in dramatic fashion, with a 13-12 walk-off victory in the bottom of the seventh.

The minute FH took the field the hunger for victory was in their eyes. Consecutive hits came from the first five batters as Jason Hellmann, Carrie Soforenko, Craig Paridy, Jon Berke, and Dave Whiting raised staked FH to a five-run lead in the first inning, culminating in Whiting’s three-run inside-the-park homerun.

Whiting (3-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBI, 2 HR) was not done there, crushing another bomb as the lead-off hitter in the third, while also turning an unassisted double play. Callie Baum, Jason Werden, and Channing Barringer followed that up with three consecutive singles, and Matt Turnier drove in two RBI on a smash double to right field.

Paridy’s consistent pitching unearthed a new stat in the books this week: strikeouts. Catcher Bonnie Walters must have been giving the right signals behind the place. With three K’s, Paridy threw a perfect game, at least against right-handed female batters wearing black jackets.
Even as FH continued to command the game, with much thanks to Matt Navitsky’s late game heroics at DH, Edelman would not go away without a fight. A late surge in the sixth and seventh innings put Edelman ahead one run going into the bottom of the seventh.

Coming off of a two-run homer in his previous at bat, birthday boy Barringer (3-for-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI, HR) led off the seventh with a single down the third baseline, as Bonnie Walters (2-for-4, 1 run) followed with a double. Turnier (2-for-3, 1 run, 3 RBI) tied the game with a single to right field, and Hellmann completed his perfect game at the plate (5-for-5 ) by outrunning an infield hit juggled by the shortstop.

With no outs and the bases loaded, Carrie Soforenko strode to the plate. Tensions were high - Soforenko had already punished the ball once with a double over the heads of the shallow-playing outfielders in the first inning. The rookie wasn’t done, though. With ice in her blood, she lined a single down the third-base line and Walters scored the winning run. Another chapter in the storied rivalry was written; FH had edged out Edelman 13-12 in what is sure to go down as the best game ever played at any level in the history of America’s pastime.

Coming off of the momentum of such a thrilling victory, FH takes the field again Monday evening to face Burson-Marsteller, in the hopes of moving a game above .500 and up in the East Division standings.

Late Rally Falls Short In Season Opener

On paper, at least, everything looked to be in Fleishman-Hillard’s favor for the season opener versus Ketchum. A deep roster, full of new talent, mixed with a strong set of veterans to lead the charge; a group poised to avenge the team that snatched FH’s chance at a league championship in 2009; even the Bob-Ley-narrated “Outside the Lines” special on the ambitious coach who loved the game so much he sacrificed his body for a chance to play just a few more innings. But, alas, it was not enough to overcome Ketchum’s early onslaught of runs, and FH dropped their opening day game, 15-19.

It took a few innings to knock off the cobwebs, as rusty fielding plagued FH early and often, leading to several unearned runs. Jason Hellmann was kept busy in left field, as a majority of Ketchum’s hits flew in his direction. Offensively, Hellmann (2-for-4) contributed just as much, earning the first run of the 2010 season in the FH stat sheet, and bringing in two runs on a double in the fourth.

Pitcher Craig Paridy went 3-for-3 on two singles, a double, and an RBI, scoring on each at-bat. Third baseman Dave Whiting (2-for-3) racked up two runs, and three RBI off a homerun in the third and a triple in the sixth. David Wickenden, who must have come straight from the batting cages, brought in three runs on two – count ‘em, two! – inside the park homeruns. Take that, Father Time! Heralded rookie Abby Parr made her FH debut by fooling the defense with her speed to run out shallow hits, going 2-for-3.

Our colleagues at VOX made notable contributions of their own, as Channing Barringer (2-for-3), husband of FH’er Ariel Barringer, earned his spot on the roster unanimously. Though new to our squad, Barringer proved he was no stranger to the game with spectacular fielding in left center field matched with two doubles at the plate, resulting in two runs and an RBI. One Ketchum hitter, foolish enough to jog to first on a bloop hit to center, was surprised to see Barringer unleash a perfect throw that beat him to first base by half a step. Meanwhile, Callie Baum and Jen Anderson were their typical defensive rocks at first and second base, respectively.

Even though we were losing, FH showed great endurance late in the game. A late flurry of hits at the plate brought FH back within a few runs of victory. Paridy led off with a double, followed by a triple by Whiting, and then a homerun by Wickenden, and all of the sudden FH was back in the game. Doubles by Jason Werden (1-for-3, RBI) and Barringer kept the groove going, while Matt Navitsky (2 RBI) crushed a deep fly ball to left field that brought in two more runs.

Intern season always brings a great infusion of talent, and Bonnie Walters, Matt Turnier, and Carrie Soforenko create high hopes for 2010. Soforenko sat out on with a bum ankle, but that did not keep her from cheering on her teammates. Walters (2-for-3) scored early and added a key hit and run in the sixth-inning comeback attempt. Turnier (2-for-4) brought in the seventh run of the inning, and FH was just four runs away from a tied score. Just as things started to go in FH’s favor, the game was called by darkness, final score 15-19.

However, the season has only just begun and a good team has a short memory. Come out for the “Fight For .500” as FH faces Hill & Knowlton this Monday evening.

It’s the time of the seeeeeeeeaaason

The time has come yet again for another year of PR League Softball. The chalk has been laid, the grass freshly cut, the bats whittled down from fallen trees (thanks again, Snowpocalypse 2010). The poignant aroma of competition fills the air as Fleishman-Hillard looks to take back their rightful place as champions, the sting of last season’s Championship Game loss versus Ketchum having subsided.

Skipper Silvio Marcacci has assembled a deep roster comprised of a number of veterans as well as wide-eyed fresh faces eager to take the diamond. The FH faithful gathered in Rock Creek Park this past Monday for a friendly scrimmage, meshing teams from across the league (though not every team had the courtesy to attend).

Early-season Gold Glove chatter is already surfacing in Jason “The Flyin’ L’Chaim” Hellmann’s corner, as Hellmann stole a homerun at the warning track from going over the fence in left field. Meanwhile at third base, nothing got past Coleman Hutchins’ glove.

Even with a broken finger – suffered during her tireless practice regimen, mind you – Callie Baum was flawless at first base. Following Monday’s scrimmage Baum was reported to have said, “Ouch” upon removing her glove, sources say; however, Buster Olney reported Tuesday that Baum will start the season on the active roster, refusing to be sidelined by the injury.

Newcomer Bonnie Walters put together her very own highlight reel at the plate, while Carrie Soforenko would have pitched a perfect game, had we played a full seven innings and, you know, kept score. But those stats are inconsequential. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the fact that Jason Werden wore cleats, which is a win in its own right.

Next Monday’s season opener will be against the very team that handed FH their last loss at the most inopportune time – Ketchum. Whether you’ve never experienced an afternoon in Rock Creek enjoying grown men and women taking softball too seriously, or you are a seasoned patron of the game, come support your colleagues Monday evening, April 19. Expect a rematch of Biblical proportions, for Hell hath no fury like FH scorned.

FH Surges Into The Championship Game

Softball is meant to be a game of sportsman–(and woman) ship. However, after weeks of smack talk, hype, anticipation, and tiresome excuses, Fleishman-Hillard was ready to slaughter Edelman in last week’s semifinal matchup. “Slaughter” may seem a bit strong of a description, but slaughter is nothing without laughter, the last of which went to FH in their 10-8 victory over Edelman last Thursday.

Coach Silvio Marcacci had a score to settle with the Edelman faithful, who engaged he and a number of his FH colleagues in a battle of verbal abuse across multiple social mediums in the days leading up to the game. He put all of their childish banter to rest though, when he hit his first out-of-the-park homerun ever during his first at-bat of the game. Starting the game in leftfield and closing out the final inning on the mound, Marcacci’s performance was flawless, going 3-for-3 with three runs, three RBIs, and two doubles on top of the homerun in the first.

Not to be outdone, Dave Whiting (1-for-3, one run, two RBIs) ripped a shot into centerfield, utilizing his speed to earn a two-run, inside-the-park homerun. If Marcacci’s homer was what set the tone for FH, and Whiting’s was the steady recital of things to come, then Jon Berke’s (3-for-3, two runs, five RBIs) demolition of the ball in the fourth was the salt in the wound. Fleishman was hoping to provide the distance of the three-run homerun for the record books, but unfortunately the ball has yet to land. On the bright side, some lucky astronaut will be receiving quite the souvenir.

For those looking to trade up in their fantasy league, don’t “pass over” Jason “The Flyin’-L’chaim” Hellmann (1-for-2, one run), whose stock continues to rise on the stat sheet and in the depth chart. Mahesh Subramanian turned in another solid game, going 1-for-2 and contributing solid outfield play, and Dave Forman chipped in his standard two-hit, airtight middle-infield defense effort.

Jason Werden and Laura DeSantis accounted for three runs between them, and Callie Baum, Lowen Baumgarten, Matt Navitsky, Andy Logan, and Rachelle Lacroix were all essential assets to Fleishman’s defensive stand. Realizing the importance of the game at hand, legendary FH Softball alumni Bill Garber prowled the sidelines, dispensing sagely advice and pep talks to his FH progeny. The FH fan club was well-represented by Cheryl Haas and Juliet Johnson, who tweeted the night away.

Edelman’s frustration was transparent. They chose the road less traveled in a league meant for clean play and camaraderie, as an Edelman player leveled Craig Paridy (P, six innings, 1-for-2) while he attempted to tag the runner out on a play at home plate. As both benches watched on, the runner lowered his shoulder and speared out his elbow, catching Paridy off guard right in the jaw. Fleishman was up in arms over the collision, but cooler heads prevailed, and FH let the scoreboard speak for itself.

With three outs to go in the top of the seventh and the bottom of their order due up, Edelman stepped up to the plate for one last-ditch effort to salvage their season. Two pop flies to centerfield and a bunt single brought up Edelman’s powerful leadoff hitter. Swinging on the second pitch, a screaming liner was hit into shallow left field, but lucky for FH, none other than David Wickenden was patrolling the gap. The Wizard lived up to his name by stabbing the liner and flipping the ball to DeSantis for the game-winning force out at second base. Marcacci exploded with excitement, and hoisted DeSantis in the air, as the Edelman batter fell to his knees en route to first base, and the FH squad charged into the infield to celebrate.

For one FHer, Thursday’s game was her last, as Ellen Black completed her internship. Black, best known for her incredible speed and tenacious spunk, returns to Vanderbilt University this week to begin training for the upcoming cross country season. FH bids her adieu and wishes her the best of luck.

Next up, we’re going to the ‘Ship; it is what we have played for all season long. The Championship Game is this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook Park in Rock Creek. Our opponent: an undefeated Ketchum squad looking to complete their perfect season, but FH is out to make certain this does not happen. Through a three-year championship drought, through two tough losses early in the season, through Mother Nature’s infinite rainouts, up to the six-game winning streak that has brought us to this point - we have not come this far to leave empty handed now.

It does not matter if you are an avid fan or a first time follower, now is the time to come see FH Softball in action. So turn back to the clock to silver spandex, gratuitous amounts of hairspray, and your favorite pair of zubaz pants, because it’s THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Now It Matters

Following two consecutive seasons of tough playoff losses, Fleishman-Hillard started their trek toward a league championship with a first-round win over an animated and energetic GMMB squad in a 17-7 victory on Thursday. The win propelled FH to the semi-finals of the playoffs where they will face sworn enemy, Edelman.

Lead-off hitter Jason “The Flyin’-L’chaim” Hellmann saved his best offensive game of the season for the playoffs with a 4-for-5 effort that included two doubles, two runs and an RBI single in the sixth. For his effort, Hellmann received the coveted award for Offensive Player of the Game. Needless to say, he was ecstatic.

Mahesh Subramanian played multiple positions in Thursday’s game – or at least it seemed so – as the right-centerfielder/leftfielder/shortstop/second baseman racked up a number of web gems that put Sportscenter’s Top Ten Plays to shame. Subramanian (3-for-4, 3 runs, 2 triples, 1 RBI) was named the Defensive Player of the Game, and it was all the commentators could talk about Thursday evening.

Jon Berke (3-for-5), Dave Forman (2-for-4), and Silvio Marcacci (3-for-5) continued to pad their stats, between them with seven extra base hits, eight runs, and nine RBIs. Amanda Schildt and Callie Baum both had great field presence with solid defense that anchored the right side of the diamond throughout the game. Jason Werden (4-for-5) scored a run and added two RBIs to his season total of 14, still three behind Marcacci’s team-leading total of 17.

Matt Navitsky and Lowen Baumgarten split time at DH, producing two runs and two RBIs, while Ellen Black and Laura DeSantis shared the vacancy behind home plate. DeSantis may have found her true calling not with a bat in-hand, but a BlackBerry, sending an astonishing 37 tweets to keep FH’s anxious fans in the know with an aggressive play-by-play.

The game’s MVP was not any FH player, however; it was the entire GMMB team. Not only did they display excellent defense throughout the game, swing the bats well all day, and enjoy the camaraderie of the atmosphere, but they joined their company kin out afterward for a drink (or twelve) and a few laughs. Cheers to GMMB, for being an absolute class act.

But now things get serious again. The second round of the playoffs hold a game some think is sheer destiny in the making, as FH will face arch-rivals Edelman, yet again. The saga that is FH v. Edelman is one as old as time, as bitter as unsweetened lemonade, and as tense as a blind date. The 5-and-4 firm defeated Porter Novelli in the quarterfinals to make it to this semifinal matchup versus the red hot Fleishman squad. This should be the fifth meeting of the year for these bitter rivals. I wonder why that is not so…

What you need to know to survive: The game is this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Rock Creek Park. Here’s a map. Now even those who claim they are not familiar with D.C. are out of excuses. Come support your colleagues for what proves to be an epic battle. Winner goes to the league championship; loser takes the long, bumpy road home. And I don’t know about you, but we’re enjoying this road trip and don’t feel like turning it around just yet. We’ll see you there this Thursday! GO FH!

Winnin' in The Rain

As the old adage says, “If you mess with fire, you’re going to get burned.” Thursday afternoon, FH found that the same goes for water.

Following an afternoon of tweeting the weather and hashtagging “reverse psychology” to psych out Mother Nature, the temptress of the temperature made us gargle our words. To say it rained would be an understatement; however, FH and their opponent GMMB remained steadfast (or is that stubborn?) to play through the monsoon. When the skies cleared, what lay over the rainbow was FH’s fourth consecutive win, 12-5 over GMMB – closing out the regular season with a 5-2 record, good enough to clinch first place in the West Division heading into the playoffs.

Summer intern Andy Logan made his softball debut as designated hitter, sharing the responsibility with Matt Navitsky, grabbing a RBI followed by a run in his first at-bat. In standard fashion, Jon Berke, Jason Hellmann, and Dave Whiting each contributed several RBIs themselves, and tacked on a couple of runs to the lead.

The conditions proved to have no affect on Silvio Marcacci, who had a triple in the first inning and home run in the fourth. In contrast, Jason Werden convincingly proved that he was no Mark Buehrle, pitching three innings before being sent the showers. Reliever Craig Paridy took over the pitcher’s mound in the fourth inning to complete the game, and helped his own cause with four hits, two runs, and two RBIs.

Mahesh Subramanian and Dave Forman split time in right field, and each contributed a hit and scored a run. Lowen Baumgarten, Ellen Black, and Amanda Schildt all made great defensive plays and contributed clutch hits. Callie Baum yet again demonstrated her ability to be a utility player with slick defense in right-center field and at first base, where she teamed up with second basewoman Jen Anderson for the ultimate one-two punch against GMMB.

So, FH finishes the regular season with yet another victory, peace of mind that no one was struck by lightning, and satisfaction that we finally triumphed over Mother Nature. Playoffs begin this week, when FH faces GMMB in an inter-Omnicom battle royal on Thursday, July 30. Nothing compares to playoff suspense, so if you’ve wanted to make a game all season, this week is your perfect chance to cheer on our loveable band of intramural athletes.