The start of the season is a bit hectic for the home team Rhinos. Fielding a lineup that features a number of subs, the Rhinos play average for three innings. Unfortunately, the game goes five innings, and in two of them, the vaunted Rhino defense goes south. And, Wendy's is not a team you want to lose your defense with. The final was ugly. Also, the bats did not wake up--the Rhinos had 12 hits, all singles.

Finals Score: Rhinos: 5, Wendy's: 21

Karl Case asked if I would just put 0-2 down for the commentary for this game. Ironically, that was how many people on the team batted, as well.

Final Score: Rhinos: 1, Pro Security and Fire 16

The Rhinos' bats finally come alive. They lose the coin toss, but, as the visiting team, bat around and score 8 runs in the first inning, outscoring games 1 and 2 combined. Tim Summers goes 2-2, with a home run and double, and knocks in 8 runs. Creal Waddell, in an emergency start, also went deep. Damon Hall pitched well, and the defense was stellar.

Final Score: Rhinos: 24, Bru Crew: 8

The bats stayed warm in the second half of the double-header. The Rhinos were home team this time and jumped out to a 5-2 lead after one inning. They went a little cold at the plate, and the visiting team, High Steppers, actually took the lead 6-5 (I heard one of their fans actually exclaim, "Oh, you mean we are ahead?!?" ). The Rhinos took care of that in the 4th inning, sending 19 batters to the plate and scoring 13 runs. Sean Ward was the only person the first time through to make an out. Jason Trombley gets off the schneide and goes 3-4 with a double and 3 RBI. Chris George ends the game with a sac fly to score the final run for the run rule victory.

Final Score: Rhinos: 19, High Steppers: 7

The Rhinos continue to get healthy against the weak sisters of the league. This time it was We've Got the Runs that took the brunt of the Rhinos' charge. Quentin Hollis came up big for the home team Rhinos, going 3-3, wht a HR, double, and 4 RBI. Jason Trombley (3 RBI) and Creal Waddell (1 RBI) also went deep. I think Creal won dinner with his blast. Pitt Derryberry threw three shutout innings of relief pitching for Damon Hall (aided in a big way by a huge DP by Ben Simms). And Karl Case wanted me to mention that, even though his name does not appear much in the score sheet, he did play the entire game.

Final Score: Rhinos: 13, Runs: 1

With five regulars out of action, and at least two backups missing as well, the Rhinos threw out a makeshift lineup against Scared Hitless. Fortunately, they lived up to their name, and the Rhinos were able to escape with a 17-2 victory. Highlights of the game include the top five hitters going 13-14 and Jason Trombly's flopping dive in left field (fortunately, Karl Case was there to back him up and threw the runner out at home).

Final Score: Rhinos: 17, Scared Hitless: 2

Another makeshift lineup as several starters remained out. The bad news started early. Tim Summers had a bit of trouble on the mound and then herniated his groin in the second inning. Relief pitcher Rick Grieve did not have his best stuff, and We've Got the Runs took full advantage of it, and got revenge for last week's drubbing. Highlight of the night was Sean "Speedy Gonzalez" Ward's inside-the-park home run ("I ain't stoppin'," he said right before the at-bat, and he almost passed Karl Case on his way home).

Final Score: Rhinos: 15, Runs 28

In this close game, the Rhinos came up a couple of errors short to Pro Security and Fire.

Final Score: Rhinos: 6; Pro Security: 7

The nightcap to the doubleheader started out poorly. The Rhinos were down 0-8 after two innings. Then, Quentin Hollis was inserted into the lineup and the bats came alive. Newcomer Dan Klein went 6-6, but it was not enough, as the Rhinos were without good luck charm Pitt Derryberry.

Final Score: Rhinos: 23, Wendy's: 24

The Rhinos started out slowly, but gained momentum as the game progressed. This game was played in 102 degree heat, so the field must have been 110 degrees, at least. Not sure, but it was darn hot. Almost as hot as Chris George's hitting. George came out of his slump tonight, going 3-3, with a triple and 3 RBI. Dustin Mustread, Ryan Haggarty, and Karl Case were also perfect, each going 2-2.

Final Score: Rhinos: 13, Scared Hitless: 8

So, the team picked up and drove to Lampkin park for the second game of the double-header. They came up against a much improved Tidball's team. The Rhinos took an early 12-8 lead, but decided that they were not going to score after the third inning. A couple of baserunning errors (including third base coach Rick Grieve sending a runner home for the last out of the game) took some steam out of them, but they were going nowhere fast.

Final Score: Rhinos: 13, Tidball's: 18

It was a tough game. The Rhinos' bats were weak, but their defense was stellar. Then, finally, in the seventh inning, Ben Simms, eye black and all, came through for the home team....oh, who am I kidding? For the first time in the six years of the Rhinos, we were the beneficiaries of a forfeit. The other team, BG Crushers, only had six guys at game time.

Final Score: Rhinos: 1, BG Crushers: 0

The Rhinos came out and played like they had had two weeks off and were missing a couple of guys. But, they had enough to pull out the W and avoid having to come back out the next night to play. Of course, winning meant that they had to turn around and play again, but, such is life, eh? Damon Hall helped himself out by going 3-3 and 1 RBI. Ryan Haggarty and Jason Trombly both had 2 RBI. It was a real sluggish game...

Final Score: Rhinos: 9, Scared Hitless: 7

So, the nightcap to the winners' bracket double header was against Pro Security and Fire (formerly Booth Fire and Safety), which is a much improved team. They have picked up a couple of college kids that can PLAY. So, anyway, the Rhinos stayed with the young kids for five innings, but ended their half of the sixth inning down by two, 13-15. Unfortunately, eight runs later, the game was, mercifully, over. Hitting stars for Game 2: Jason Trombly (3-3, 2 RBI, 1 SAC), Chris George (3-3, 2 R, 1 RBI), and Karl Case (2-2, 1 R, 1 RBI).

Final Score: Rhinos: 13, Pro Security: 23

The Rhinos face off against We've Got the Runs (not Scared Hitless, Chris). They allow three runs in the first inning, and the Runs guys are ecstatic. Then, in their half of the first, the Rhinos bat around almost twice and put up 14. The game was never close after that. Lots of hitting stars here. The big RBI producer of the night was Tim Summers with 4. Rick Grieve, Jason Trombly, and Sean "Speedy Gonzales" Ward each had 3.

Final Score: Rhinos: 20; Runs: 5

Perhaps the Rhinos took care of business too quickly in the first game, because they did not look like the same team in the second. Either that or they were facing a better pitcher. One or the other. It also did not help that they had four inning where four or fewer batters made it to the plate. And, still, only lost to Wendy's by two runs. Jason Trombly had the best offensive game, going 3-3, with a HR and 5 RBI. Also the best quote: "If you can't score at least 10 runs in slow pitch softball, you don't deserve to win."

Final Score: Rhinos: 7, Wendy's: 9