VICTORY!!!!

Chevy Chase, Md. -- May 3, 2006 – The Fleishman-Hillard (FH) softball team rolled to a crushing 18-7 victory over rival Porter-Novelli last night in the first game of the season.

Some members of FH’s squad rolled more than others.

Locked in a 1-1 nail-biter in the bottom of the fourth, first baseman Jeff Weintraub made a lunging grab for a hot line drive and, in diving to tag first base, rolled over it, beating the Porter runner by a step. Commentators awarded Weintraub the play of the game for the dramatic stab, which changed the momentum of the contest.

Spurred by Weintraub’s heroics, Fleishman scored four, five and eight runs respectively in the top halves of the 5th, 6th and 7th innings. FH benefited mightily from the breakout performances of Coleman Hutchins (3-3, 3 doubles) Nancy Nickerson (2 hits, 2 runs) and Max Reinke (intern), (Homerun, Double 4 RBIs).

Paul Johnson pitched 1 run ball through the fourth inning, backed by a nearly flawless FH defense, and aided by the slick play of Weintraub, Catcher Jessica Lass, Third Baseman Ralph Posner and Nickerson at Second Base.

The outfield of Brian Brown, Karin Dilner, Matt Davison and Will Sullivan was quiet last night, as FH pitchers, aided by a solid relief performance from Bill Garber, served up 14 ground-ball outs.

The embarrassment-of-the-night award goes to Will Sullivan, who - despite rigorous pre-season training involving several practice sessions and a company-sponsored round at the batting cage - managed to strike out twice in the same at-bat while batting left-handed.

However, Sullivan then doubled to drive in two runs and save what was left of any face he may have had prior to the first pitch.

The Fleishman fan-base was out in full force to cheer the team to victory, aided by James Yates, Donna Owens, Mary LoJacono and Frank Kaufmann.

All-star shortstop David Wickenden left in the third inning with a sports-related injury. After the game trainers said Wickenden was day-to-day but should recover in time for next week’s game.