Warriors and Wildcards fight to a draw

With all the makings of a classic, the most talked about game of the season lacked one element - a decisive winner.



It was being billed as "The Battle of the Offensive Juggernauts". And when all was said and done, the two biggest offences in the league shut each other down in a tightly-contested 11-11 draw before a capacity crowd at TD Waterhouse West Field.

After the game, Captain Voodoo Redoblado was proud of the team. "I know it's just a tie, but man we earned it. We fought hard all the way through. The victory would've been nice, but (expletive), I'll take it."

What was also deemed to be a battle for first place in the league ironically dropped both teams out of the top spot. Coupled with the tie and their own victory against the Paddington Bears, the Colts are now in sole possession of first overall.

With neither defence showing gaps or flaws, both teams had to dig deep for runs and get contributions from every player. And they did. Jeanette "Bubba" Nisperos continued her RBI and run streak, cashing in El Saviour Bulos and scoring on Nocks Sunga's 2-run double as part of a four-run 2nd inning. Melody "Geebs" Chong scored Voodoo Redoblado on a clutch RBI single with two out in the top of the 4th when the Warriors had pulled to within one. She contributed with the glove as well, making a spectacular catch in the 3rd, a play in which several teammates jokingly said they thought her arm would come off.

"It looked like it was going over my head, but I knew it was low enough for me to get it."







Melody "Geebs" Chong collects herself after the "9th inning scare."







SS Alistair "Sinbad" Sinclair was 2-for-3 on the night, including a single he was reluctant to take.



In her return performance, Ice ?ueen Reyes delievered a sensational outing, including some extremely clutch pitching. In the bottom of the 9th with one out and the bases loaded, the Ice ?ueen got one of the Warriors heavy hitters to fly out in the infield. The batter was clearly looking to go yard over a drawn-in outfield. She got the following batter to fly out to LF Sixty Chan to preserve the tie. It was a clutch performance that will surely go down in Wildcards history as "the 9th inning scare".

"He was having trouble picking up my high pitches, so I kept serving them up."





The Ice ?ueen had a solid outing last night in her return from injury.






Though the Ice ?ueen sounded relatively relaxed, catcher Ada "Kiddo" Wong admits that the stressful situation got to her.

"Wow, I couldn't believe it. I think I ran out of piss in that inning. I couldn't believe it all came down to that, and was in further disbelief when we actually got out of it."

Sixty Chan came through with big plays both at the plate and in the field when the 'Cards needed it. With the leadoff batter at first and the Warriors threatening, he made a diving catch to hold the runner at first base. The runner would go on to be stranded that inning. Sixty Chan was also 2-for-3 with an RBI. However, in true anti-Franchise fashion, he downplayed the significance of his plays.

"It was a team effort. Everybody contributed. It's not just one player that wins or loses it for the team."

Despite the positive sentiments, some Wildcards couldn't help but feel that the game had gotten away from them. With a 6-0 lead through two innings, the Wildcards would be outscored 11-5 through the remaining seven.

According to Chokolate Saks (3-for-4, 1HR, 3 RBIs), it slipped away. "We let that one go, it was our game. They (the Warriors) are not as scary as people make them out to be, we could've beaten them for sure."

Blue San Luis (2-for-3, 1 RBI) agreed with those sentiments, citing an offence that disappeared down the stretch. "We fizzled out towards the end. We got out to a good jump and then they shut us down." Despite that, he believes that earning a draw with the powerhouse Warriors has earned them respect in the league.

"Even though we didn't win, I'm sure other teams know who we are now, and what we're all about. Other teams are gonna be gunning for us."

Another positive that came out of the tie was that nobody left the game with injury, though there were some scares. A liner to the mound looked like it had hit off Ice ?ueen's foot before shooting high into the Sunday night sky. She later revealed that it had gone off the pitching rubber. Nocks Sunga felt soreness on a double-play attempt in the bottom of the 7th.

"I stretched out for a throw from the Franchise, and felt a sharp pain in my side. But I'll be OK."

But like a true Wildcard, he played through the pain. As did the Franchise.

However, what was officially documented as a pulled left hamstring mysteriously evolved into a self-proclaimed broken leg.



NOTES: "Hollywood" Fernando singled from the left-side in the top of the 5th, but couldn't produce from the right side. El Saviour Bulos pitched two innings of relief and ended his hitless streak, going 1-for-2 including a leadoff walk in the top of the 4th. The Wildcards return home to face the Down Home Blues next Sunday.