by Matt Floyd
After a two week layoff (one for rain and another for Mother's Day), the MNSA athletes were happy to get back on the field and finally play again this past Sunday. However, Mother Nature didn't look like she was going to cooperate as rain drenched the Nashville area Friday and Saturday.
With the help of the MNSA league officials, players, coaches, family and friends, the group was able work late on Saturday afternoon and evening and early on Sunday morning to get the fields at West Park ready for action. Much thanks and appreciation to all those who donated their valuable time to the league.
Sunday finally saw the return of the sun, and with that came some more exciting softball action. In the C-division, Time won a trio of games to remain unbeaten on the season. They picked up a 7-0 forfeit win over the Heat (B-Level). The team continued their winning ways with two more victories on the day. Time welcomed back their pitcher, Shannon H, from a recent surgery that had him sidelined for four weeks.
Time came out a bit sluggish offensively against Good Times, who played excellent defense before Time came alive in the 4th inning and was able to finally tally some runs in a 6-5 victory. But the much anticipated game in the C-division was that of Time vs. Fury. These two teams have battled it out the last two years. As expected, both teams came out swinging. Roy N got the ball rolling in the bottom of the 1st inning with a 3-run Home Run. Marty G made two spectacular catches in left field saving runs each time. Time closed out the Fury with great defense 15-8, to improve to 5-0 on the season. Fury rebounded with a 7-4 win over Good Times to improve to 3-2 on the season. Good Times fell to 3-5.
In the D-division, the unbeatens are down to just two teams. The Panthers had two tough games on the day. They faced off against previously unbeaten Fireballs in their first game. Panthers had another good offensive showing in posting a 10-5 victory. They then played a very tough game against Blaze, edging Blaze 10-7. Panthers move to 4-0 on the season. The Players also remained undefeated (5-0) as they put on an offensive show against Blaze, wining 22-2, and also beating Holy Trinity Red 12-1. Inferno, Xplosion, and Corkscrew also won both of their contests on Sunday. First year team, Double Time played some great late inning defense throwing out a runner at home, then getting a bases loaded force out to close out an 8-6 win over previously unbeaten Players Too. Double Time split in play on Sunday, losing their second game against Holy Trinity (Red).
The league will take the Memorial Day weekend off, but will return to regular league play on Sunday, June 7, at West Park. Come out and support the new women's league, which will debut at noon followed at 1 p.m. with open league play.
For complete league scores, standings and upcoming schedules, please visit the league website at metronashvillesoftball.org. Be sure to look up the league on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.