New Lenox, IL - High Voltage squared off against Cosgrove on Tuesday night in round one of the playoffs. The game was slow to get going as neither team could score a run in the first two innings. The Volts held Cosgrove to a third scoreless inning before the offense finally woke up with a six spot fueled by six hits and two walks. Cosgrove cut the lead to 6-1 with a run in the fourth inning but the Volts all but sealed the deal with an eight run barrage to take a decisive 14-1 lead. Cosgrove needed to score four runs to keep the game alive but could only muster a single run to fall short to the Volts by a score of 14-2. Cosgrove had its share of chances with seven hits and three walks strung out in the five innings but could not deliver a big hit to do any damage. High Voltage ended the game with 15 hits and six bases on balls. Three of the walks came in the first inning when the Volts loaded the bases but failed to score. High Voltage next take on Paradise Bay, who won their game earlier on Tuesday. That matchup takes place August 5th at 7:30 with the winner immediately competing in the championship game with a scheduled start of 8:30 PM. All attendees of next week's' action will receive an insurance claim notice as a souvenir from the many homeowners who have had softball damage inflicted on their property over the many years of games at the Lions Den.
Notables:
Wheels - Roy Hobbles continued with legendary play last night as he legged out a triple in the fourth inning to knock in a run. Earlier that inning, Hobbles took part in a rare 8-6-5-2 putout at third base on Cosgrove. Most of the Volt defense had fallen asleep at the wheel but Old Hobbles covered third base like a rocket to record the out and once again save the day for his team. Hobbles was immediately Limo'd out after the game by a Hollywood mogul who wants to pen the story of a working man who manages a group of money trackers during the day, and dominates softball games from the catching position by night.
No Sage - When asked if he could light sage to run off the heavy mosquito population last night, Pratl was rebuffed. The team has instituted a "Cigars Only" policy since the beginning of the 2024 season.
Early Bird - Argus jumped the gun on wanting to be the first dog to take a whizz in the new dog park. With one more week of games to be played at Lions Den, weather permitting, Argus will have to give it another go after the last out has been booked at the old ballpark to proclaim his spot on the top of the list.
Roundabout - Ryno ponders the recent accident at the yet to be opened roundabout on Haven and Cedar. Ry is so shaken that an individual would have a one man accident on a road that is yet to be open that he took his name out of the running of the Billy 500. When asked why he doesn't want to sit in the back seat of Richard Blatzo's trek to run circles around the roundabout until running out of gas once the road is opened, Ryno said; "Fuck that! That shit is going to be too dangerous". Ry is now trying to talk Ken from his shotgun spot on the "Trip to Nowhere" coming up this fall.
Cleanup Aisle 2 - Roy Hobbles is seen here cleaning up after himself immediately after boxing a high pop foul which was dropped during the Cosgrove game last night. Roy briefly pounded his chest that the dropped ball was on a third strike, and it was an out anyway. You're better than that Roy.
Lions Den Top 5 - July 30, 2024 is the Master Batters/Gnaturals/High Voltage franchise's top moment. This moment has little to do with the game of softball, the opponent, nor the outcome of a contest. This top moment is about family. Coach Kathy had recently received a diagnosis that nobody ever wants to hear about themself or a loved one. Kathy has been a rock to her family and has shared a lifelong commitment with Ken in supporting the youth of Will County, and it was time to give back in any possible way. The idea was floated out the prior week that July 30th would be a "Pink Out" for Kathy to return some of the support she has selflessly given over the decades to the community, and provide her with positive energy to overwhelm her diagnosis and help begin the process to get her back to full health. Fans showed up in pink attire and the team wore whatever pink accessories they could display to support Kathy. The Volts ended up winning the game that night on the field, and honestly, they would have beaten anyone they would have played with the giant wave of ju-ju that was flowing. The post-game follow up was as ceremonial as winning a championship. Players and the Volts family jumped on the field in celebration of supporting Kathy on her journey with pictures being taken long after the game ended and into the field lights being turned off. Over the past years, each Tuesday at Lions Den has been its own unique experience with the joys of winning, the sting of defeat, and all of the laughs and cries in between. When all is said and done, it's the family and friends you've gathered along the way that matters.
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