Theory vs. Experiment Softball Game 2006

[SLAC | SLAC Softball | Softball Photos 2006]


Experiment Prevails 21-20 over Theory,
in come-from-behind win in extra innings
 

BOX SCORE:
Inning   1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8  9 10 Runs
Theory  4 0 0 8 0 3 0 5 0 0

20

Experiment
 3 1 4 0 0 5  1 3 3 1

21

Game Highlights
     Attendance was low this year with each team fielding just 7 players.  Dick Zdarko came out of retirement and returned to the annual game.  A former experimentalist, he showed up in a Theory Softball shirt, with M-Theory graphics on the back, and was promptly recruited by Theory to play first base.  Teddy Cheung, representing KIPAC, also joined Theory as did Jonathan Hollar, fresh from defending his Ph.D. thesis on BaBar data.   Howie Haber anchored the Theory team, playing his customary position at short stop.  Howie's long-time rival, Ron Cassell, performed a similar role anchoring Experiment and also fielding at short stop. 
     Theory batted first in this year's game, jumping off to a quick start with 4 runs in the top of the first.  Zdarko's bat was still dangerous as he singled in the first inning and got 2 RBIs.  In the bottom of the inning, Ron Cassell demonstrated his power with a 3-run homer.  Theory was shut out in the 2nd inning as Dan Harrington made all 3 outs in Center Field.  Experiment pulled even with 1 run in the bottom of the inning, then had a strong 2-out rally in the 3rd scoring 4 more runs.  The 4th inning was big for Theory as they scored 8 runs, with Teddy Cheung and Haber leading the way, both with triples.  Theory held Experiment scoreless in the bottom of the 4th, with Cheung making a great over-the-head catch while running to the outfield.  Theory wanted to pile on more runs in the top of the 5th, but were held scoreless largely on the strength of 2 terrific catches by JJ Russell in left field.  At the 7th inning stretch, Theory was leading 15-13.  Experiment cut that to 15-14 by the end of 7, unable to even the score as Jamie Gainer made a spectacular catch in right field to keep the experimenters in check.  Theory then added 5 more in the top of the 8th to go up by 6.  Dan Harrington's triple in the 8th scored 3 as Experiment halved the deficit.  Theory went scoreless in the 9th, while Experiment added 3 more to tie the game helped out by a double from Grant Mcgregor, who then scored the tying run a single by Tom Markiewicz.  Experiment's defense held strong in the 10th inning.  Cheung tried to instigate a 2-out rally for Theory with a double, but the next batter grounded out to end their half of the inning.  In the bottom of the 10th, Russell led off with a double down the left field line and scored the winning run on a single by Harrington.

Bill Kirk MVP Award

The Bill Kirk MVP Award was awarded to JJ Russell for Experiment who starred defensively in Left Field and led off the 10th inning for Experiment with a double, going on to score the winning run.

Team Rosters

THEORY Position   EXPERIMENT Position
Howie Haber Short Stop   JJ Russell Left Field
Michael Davenport Center Field   Grant Mcgregor Right Field
Mike Minnar Left Field   Dan Harrington Center Field
Teddy Cheung
3rd Base   Ron Cassell Short Stop
Jamie Gainer Right Field   Tom Markiewicz 3rd Base
Jonathan Hollar

2nd Base

  Mike Woods 1st Base / Captain
 Dick Zdarko
1st Base   Jim Johnson

2nd Base

JoAnne Hewett
Captain      

SLAC TODAY Article

The two teams are gathered below, following the game,


27 September, 2006
Mike Woods