PJ-powered softball

FH softball got a surprise boost last week when Paul Johnson showed up unannounced for our game against Omnicom rivals GMMB.

Leaders lead, and PJ led FH with a masterful performance from the pitching mound and the batters box. In addition to tossing a gem, PJ lit up the opposing pitching staff with two doubles and a triple.

But PJ was in great company with big games at the dish by Will “Guinness” Sullivan (three doubles), Dave Whiting (two doubles and a triple), Silvio Marcacci (double and two rbis), Coleman “Nederlander” Hutchins (three hits and a double), and Molly Williams (two rbis) to lead FH to an 11-7 victory in last week’s corporate league softball action.

FH’s bats came alive early and often, posting runs to the board in four straight innings. Craig Paridy started a three-run rally in the fifth inning with an rbi double to cap FH’s scoring, and lock-down defense in the field held GMMB to only six runs through the first six innings. Lowen “Bulldog” Baumgarten entered as a defensive replacement and his quick reflexes saved an important run.

While PJ tossed the pearl for 5 solid innings, Dan “Nail in the Coffin” Horowitz was given the nod to close out the final two innings and did just that to even FH’s season record at 3-3.

But those are not the only stories to tell from week six. Our summer interns all brought their game faces, and made huge plays at different points in the game. Jessica Rheinlander showed everyone how VMI plays softball with a sick catch at second and a line drive to maintain the fifth inning rally. Not to be outdone, Angela Schonberg was a menace behind the plate at catcher and chipped in with a much needed rbi. Matt Kretman, Jason “I brought my spikes” Werden, and Amanda Schildt appeared to be everywhere on the field at once, alternating between slick defensive plays and deft base-running.

With the season half in the books, FH is heating up at just the right time. Four straight Monday night games await us in the next month, starting with a rematch against bitter rival Burson-Marsteller tonight at 6:30 p.m. After our late-inning rally sunk Burson in week two action, they will surely be looking for some payback. But, rumors abound about the 2008 debut of heralded FH’er David Wickenden — and we are ready for whatever BM can throw at us.