RFT Softball: A Loss Made Sweet

Like a heaping helping of its signature appetizer Nachos Grande, Chevys Fresh Mex kept piling it on Monday night in a 17 to 8 drubbing of RFT at Legion Ballpark in Overland. Adding to the heartache -- and heartburn -- for the alt-weekly players was the knowledge that for much of the contest the game was theirs to lose.

With temperatures hovering in the upper 90s, RFT warmed up to a quick lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-RBI double from third sacker Chad Garrison. Chevys bounced back in the second inning to take a 4-2 lead before clutch batting on the parts of RFT outfielders Matt Underwood and Ray "Ray" Richardson reclaimed the lead 5-4. Chevys went on to tie the game 5-5 in the fifth.

Then came the feeding frenzy.

Abetted by a series of RFT defensive gaffes, Chevys placed its first two runners on base in the sixth, then proceeded to plate eight runs in the inning thanks to a trio of moon shots over the center-field fence. Several more base hits in the seventh frame and another blast over the outfield wall and Chevys upped the ante 17 to 5. A feeble RFT comeback decreased the deficit by three runs.

In a game short on RFT highlights, player of the game goes to coach Cathleen Joffray for a move made prior to first pitch. That's when Joffray had the foresight and good sense to mix up a batch of Mango Mojitos. While not the logical complement to softball (or nachos, for that matter), the syrupy-sweet concoction goes a long way toward washing down the acrid taste of defeat.

-Unreal