Voice – May 2012 – Villains on Right Side of One-Run Game with Kirkwood

VaHi Softball Team All Alone in Second Place After Victory

By: John Becker

After two disappointing losses earlier in the month, our Virginia-Highland Villains secured a gratifying one-run victory over rival Kirkwood last Sunday at East Lake Park.

The Villains ran off a pair of wins over Reynoldstown and Lake Claire to start the spring season. The next three games, though, included a tough 16-7 loss to East Lake and a 10-7 defeat at the hands of league-leading Edgewood.

“East Lake and Edgewood are by far the dominant teams in the league this year,” says player/coach David Marder. “We were competitive in both losses, though, and we feel good about that.”

On Sunday against Kirkwood, the good guys came out on top as the Villains walked away with a close 9-8 decision. Marder says the team’s pitcher and offensive juggernaut Raj Patel almost single-handedly willed the team to victory.

“Raj hit a 3-run homer and a solo inside-the-park homer, too” Marder says, “accounting for nearly half the runs we scored.”

The win gives VaHi a 4-2 record and sole possession of second place in the league, trailing only undefeated Edgewood.

“Our team is among the league’s best at holding opponents to the fewest possible runs,” Marder says, “and that’s a direct reflection of the awesome defense we play. Now, if we can just get the bats going as we have in past years, I think we’ll be unstoppable.”

The Villains play again this Sunday against nemesis Ormewood Park and then close out the spring season on May 20 against East Atlanta (no game on Mother’s Day). Both games will be played at East Lake Park off Memorial Drive; first pitch at 3 PM.

Marder encourages fans to come out and cheer the team on to victory! You can track the team’s progress and see a schedule of games on the SEALS website at http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=seals&s=softball&t=c.