Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy…..Right! That is our team motto and we needed to follow through on that in a much needed must win game against the East Coast Believers if we were going to contend once again for a title this year. The team felt confident going into the game with a full roster and boasting a youthful yet 4oth Birthday celebrating Oil Can Spragues back in the line-up after a one game sabbatical.
The team was looking to put away the Believers early and reduce Mad Dog’s ERA since we inflated it a bit during his last outing against the Sharks. However, the thought of “Mercy” had crept into our mindset after our debate on the Dojo and it slowed down the teams play in the first inning. The East Coast Believers said a prayer and they came answered as we had some shaky defense in the first inning and relented a 2 Run lead. However, Capt. Tucci gathered the troops and called on the fans in the stand to get the team amped up and rolling like we are capable of.
With a little help from afar Scott “Smokey” Kluge sent down a ‘Victory Drum” that could be heard beating through ought Red Bug Lake Park and it was just what the team needed but most importantly what the Swami needed to get back that killer instinct.
The Birthday boy himself got the bats started ripping a double to center field and becoming the first player in Cobra Kai history over the age of 40 to record a double. The team rallied after that and the Victory Drum could be felt deep down in our souls. “I was a bit distracted starting the game after witnessing an incredible ping-pong marathon game but once I heard the victory drum it was all business and I knew the Kai’s were ready for a big win” The Swami was quoted with after the game.
Koko wore his Don Mattingly Underoos this game as he was playing a gold glove game at 1B eating everything up hit his way and even gunning down a runner at 2B that decided to test his arm. “I have never seen such intensity from Koko and that is just what the Kai needed” Said Johnny Blaze after the game. Well, the Believers would take out their frustrations on the team as our Hot hitting Left Fielder Miguel Blanco got beamed in the head for turning a double into a triple. However, he is a Cobra Kai so he stayed in the game and kept fighting.
Speaking of taking out frustrations, DonJuan was able to amazingly increase his league leading OBP % to .918 even though he had been the victim of a vicious serve losing a hotly contested Ping-Pong match right before the game 29-27 at the Kai’s Clubhouse. Roundhouse Reger also continued his hot bat punishing the Believers Outfield for 3 Doubles Friday night.
The defense clamped down after a shaky beginning and held the Believers to 2 runs after the Swami got in his groove and began attacking and snagging everything hit to the outfield. “I don’t know what it is about that drum, but every time I heard it I knew something good was going to happen to the team” The Swami said at the post game conference.
Overall, it was a great game for the Kai and put us back on our championship way. However, not all was perfect for the Kai as the Birthday boy himself our 40 year old 3B Spargues got taken down for a strikeout in the 5th inning. “I know my eyes aren’t deceiving me, it’s just that I started to get worried about that pie in the face moment I was scared was coming and I shifted my attention too much” Spragues said after the game. Well, the team did take mercy on the 40 year old and decided not to unleash the pie on him since Capt. Tucci was worried about hurting Spargues already questionable vision.
Well, the Team looks to continue our winning ways this Friday against the Del Taco Beans.
