Ah, the undeafeted season. The forbbiden fruit of the sports world. The last team to complete an undefeated regular season was the Barbarians, ironically it was only last year. However, no team in recent history has completed an undefeated season including the playoffs. It comes to a point, every season, for any given team, when the thought breaches the line between sub-consciousness and reality, that this could be the year. Only two teams remain undefeated in the NSL, Galaxy and NFL. Galaxy is not known for its first half play, usually coming out flat because of muscle aches and joint stiffness, but this year they have the winning attitude not seen since 2007 from this group. Galaxy has been riding the strong pitching of R. Moleti, some solid rookies who have helped shore up a porous defense, and the same big names with the big bats. Galaxy has cruised to a 3-0 record and will now face the upper echilon teams in the league, and all questions will soon be answered on whether or not this version of the Galaxy is for real.
NFL however is especially known for their torrid starts. Usually completing upwards of 150 practices and 25 scrimmages, and having more intercourse than some entire teams do in years in mere weeks, NFL usually comes out on fire. This year is no different. What seperates NFL's start from Galaxy is NFL's strength of schedule. Having to face arguably the two most talented ballclubs in the league in back-to-back weeks, NFL has racked up a 4-0 record.
Of these two squads, NFL looks like it has the best chance at an undefeated season.
Wednesday's game was a matchup of the first and last place teams in the NSL, NFL vs. The Sand Bar Pirates. The Pirates are on the complete opposite end of the softball spectrum, winless.
I must say, the Pirates (formerly Captains Seaside) have made some necessary changes and have improved mightily since 2008. (I do see The Sand Bar winning a game this year, but only one) L. Barletta was back on the hill for NFL, and was again flashing some Ginny Magic in place of J. Moleti who is serving a two game suspension for violating NFL's strict Alcohol Consumption Policy. (Moleti was caught spilling two beers in one night, failing to realize each Keystone Light costs a whopping $0.45 cutting in to precious team funding) L. Barletta used his off-speed stuff once again to chop down the depleted Sand Bar Lineup. M. O'Brien, pitching for the Pirates is visibly frustrated at a defense that is looking one step above inept in the field behind him. NFL secured their fourth win of the season with their walk-first, run-later philosophy.
On Thursday, the Brickyard and GEA put on a game for the ages, with four lead changes. C. Pantano was hurling for the GEA and the south-paw's split seamer was finding the plate all night. He mixed in a short change up to initially keep the Brickyard lineup off balance. GEA got on J. Peterson and the Brickyard early building a 3-1 lead, after being down 1-0. Brickyard came storming back courtesy of an A. Gracil 3-run opposite field tater. Some big hits and some untimely errors by the Brickyard defense allowed GEA to vault back into the lead with a seven run inning. A man known only as "Guppy", GEA's leadoff man took a J. Peterson meatball deep to right, not to be outdone, M. Strout, who has been raking for GEA, hit a two run shot of his own.
Brickyard closed the gap to one, with one inning to play. With two on Brickyard came up with the most clutch hit in the early season, scoring two to take the lead. J. Peterson closed the door in the bottom of the seventh for a 10-9 Brickyard win.
NFL however is especially known for their torrid starts. Usually completing upwards of 150 practices and 25 scrimmages, and having more intercourse than some entire teams do in years in mere weeks, NFL usually comes out on fire. This year is no different. What seperates NFL's start from Galaxy is NFL's strength of schedule. Having to face arguably the two most talented ballclubs in the league in back-to-back weeks, NFL has racked up a 4-0 record.
Of these two squads, NFL looks like it has the best chance at an undefeated season.
Wednesday's game was a matchup of the first and last place teams in the NSL, NFL vs. The Sand Bar Pirates. The Pirates are on the complete opposite end of the softball spectrum, winless.
I must say, the Pirates (formerly Captains Seaside) have made some necessary changes and have improved mightily since 2008. (I do see The Sand Bar winning a game this year, but only one) L. Barletta was back on the hill for NFL, and was again flashing some Ginny Magic in place of J. Moleti who is serving a two game suspension for violating NFL's strict Alcohol Consumption Policy. (Moleti was caught spilling two beers in one night, failing to realize each Keystone Light costs a whopping $0.45 cutting in to precious team funding) L. Barletta used his off-speed stuff once again to chop down the depleted Sand Bar Lineup. M. O'Brien, pitching for the Pirates is visibly frustrated at a defense that is looking one step above inept in the field behind him. NFL secured their fourth win of the season with their walk-first, run-later philosophy.
On Thursday, the Brickyard and GEA put on a game for the ages, with four lead changes. C. Pantano was hurling for the GEA and the south-paw's split seamer was finding the plate all night. He mixed in a short change up to initially keep the Brickyard lineup off balance. GEA got on J. Peterson and the Brickyard early building a 3-1 lead, after being down 1-0. Brickyard came storming back courtesy of an A. Gracil 3-run opposite field tater. Some big hits and some untimely errors by the Brickyard defense allowed GEA to vault back into the lead with a seven run inning. A man known only as "Guppy", GEA's leadoff man took a J. Peterson meatball deep to right, not to be outdone, M. Strout, who has been raking for GEA, hit a two run shot of his own.
Brickyard closed the gap to one, with one inning to play. With two on Brickyard came up with the most clutch hit in the early season, scoring two to take the lead. J. Peterson closed the door in the bottom of the seventh for a 10-9 Brickyard win.
NFL 4-0
Galaxy 3-0
Knights 2-1
Brickyard 2-1
Barbarians 1-1
GEA 1-2
Sand Bar 0-3
Gulls 0-3
Gulls 0-3
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