A Fun Way To End the Year

By John Quinlan.

Due to the tragedy of the 35W Bridge Collapse, the recap of last Monday night's game will be included in this week's game recap.

Well ECC Softball fans, the final two weeks of the season can be summed up as "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". On 7/30, the Covenanters took on the Catholics from St. John's Church looking for a split of the season series after a 15-7 loss in early June. As the visiting team, the Johnnies jumped on pitcher Kyle Small with six runs all after two were out (there were a score of errors besides). ECC bounced right back with four tallies of their own in the bottom of the frame to narrow the gap to 6-4. After a scoreless second, St. Johns touched up again for 7 more runs in the top of the third. Those runs proved to be the difference as ECC valiantly continued to peck away, but couldn't overcome the two big innings as the final score was St. Johns 15 ECC 11. Despite not coming all the way back, the men of ECC did have some memorable moments. Brian Wiersma continued to flex his muscles with a majestic 3 run homer in the third inning. Coach John Quinlan led off the second inning with a single to left, but he got a bit greedy and was thrown out trying to stretch that single into a double. The highlight of the night was turned in by Steve Anderson who hit an rbi "swinging bunt" double in the fourth inning that managed to elude the charging shortstop and trickle out to short left field. A great effort that came up a little short.

The final contest of the year, on 8/6, was against the service men of Tonka Mens Club. After two straight weeks of 90 degree heat with high humidity, Mother Nature provided the teams and their loyal fans a comfortable 80 degree evening for softball. With 14 players, including an appearance by Luke Wiersma who was visiting from North Dakota, Coach Quinlan had more than enough position options to choose from this final night. The Covenanters jumped out right away in the top of the first with 6 runs that were highlighted by Tom Talmo's ringing 2 run triple to right centerfield. The guys really had their bats cooking this night as they scored 7 in the top of the third frame thanks to a bases clearing double by Steve Anderson that carried over the left fielder's head and all the way to the fence. Unfortunately, the game was cut short after 5 innings due to the 12 run mercy rule. Final Score: ECC 14 TMC 1. The Men of ECC Softball finished the 2007 season with a record of 8-12.

As the coach of this fine group of Christian men, I would like to thank each and every member of this year's team for giving me everything they had each and every week. I would also like to thank the numerous fans that showed up each week to lend their support and enthusiasm. See you in 2008!