By Bob "Rufster" Ruf:
Halfway through their season-ending matchup with First Presbyterian Church, it appeared the St. Mark's Flyin' Lions softball team was going to go into the offseason with a whimper. Having jumped out to leads of 12-1 and 16-4, First Presbyterian seemed to be cruising toward an easy victory as the game entered the bottom of the fifth inning.
Halfway through their season-ending matchup with First Presbyterian Church, it appeared the St. Mark's Flyin' Lions softball team was going to go into the offseason with a whimper. Having jumped out to leads of 12-1 and 16-4, First Presbyterian seemed to be cruising toward an easy victory as the game entered the bottom of the fifth inning.
No one told the Lions, however. After the first two batters made outs and with no runners on base, St. Mark's suddenly found its bats coming alive. The team started ripping the ball to all parts of the field and before the inning was over the Lions pulled within 16-13 with a nine-run outburst.
Still, after giving up a run in top of the last inning to trail 17-13, the Lions had their work cut out needing at least four runs in their last at-bat to send the game to extra innings. After Ryan Roberts scored early in the sixth, the team loaded the bases with Jim Melnyk at the plate. "Mels" ripped a bases-clearing triple to right center field and suddenly the game was tied. Michael Howes then produced a clutch, game-winning base hit bringing Melnyk home to secure one of the most exciting come-from-behind victories in the team's eight-year history.
Nearly everyone on the roster made major contributions in the game, with several players having multiple-hit games including Melnyk, Howes, Roberts, Clay Clark, Bob Ruf, David Hesselberth, Mike Wilson and Dave Crum. Paul Roberts was the winning pitcher.
The Lions thank all the loyal fans who came out to watch them play at Millbrook Exchange Park and are already looking forward to the 2012 City Church League season.
