Both JVL Lindsey and E. A. Reynolds struggled to make the Alternative League Coed Softball playoffs.this year. They both finished with identical 4-4 records, barely qualifying to compete in the post-season. Lindsey was seeded in the fourth place spot, while Reynolds finished in the number three position. Both were cast in the roles of “underdogs”

Both teams had their work cut out for them, facing higher seeded teams. Past history in the league had shown that the higher seeds had dominated and moved on to play for the championship. Very rarely had the lower seeds emerged victorious. This year the history book was thrown out of the park. Lindsey met surprising second year team and regular season winner, Queens Academy in one semi-final and pounded the champs 21-1. Reynolds’ task was even more daunting, meeting last season’s champs, the Hawks of University Heights. This was to be the year for upsets, as the Blue Devils beat the Hawks with a very strong effort 11-3.  Both “underdogs” had risen to top reaching the finals.
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Those outcomes set up the “Battle for the Banner” on the Great Lawn in Central Park.   Without a cloud in the sky both teams took their positions and “it was on”. Wildcat Academy came out smoking and stroking in the first inning against Reynolds’s starting pitcher Willard Hernandez.  Lindsey’s bats were hot from the jump, loading the bases. It was then up to left fielder Derrick Gutierrez   to step up and get the job done. He was up to the task, lining a stinger to the outfield for a triple, 3-0 JVL. The barrage continued as Lindsey scored another 4 runs, and the top of the first ended with JVL up 7-0. Reynolds came up in the bottom of the inning and managed to score a run and at the end of the first frame it was7-1 Wildcat.

 The second inning saw Lindsey scratch out another run to lead 8-1 after two. There was no quit in Reynolds as they came back strong in the third scoring 3 big runs to  stay within reach at 8-3. The fifth inning began with Wildcat adding another run to extend their lead.  9-3. Reynolds saw the game slipping away and again rallied to score three to pull within striking range down 9-6 end of five.

. As the game moved into  “crunch time”, it became a defensive struggle with each team waiting for the other to make a mistake or get a big hit. As they moved on to the seventh and final inning, Reynolds again threatened, putting runners in scoring position, but couldn’t get the hits needed to drive them home and critical   mistakes running the base paths killed off their last chance of catching Wildcat.

 This seemed to be the year of the ‘underdog” and in end, the top “Underdog” in the league this year is the John V. Lindsey Wildcat Academy. 

 Both Reynolds and Lindsey played with pride, passion, and sportsmanship all year long. The fact that both overcame obstacles and were counted out in the standings, but persevered to achieve, is what makes this league and it’s student-athletes so special.

Well, which team(s) will display those special qualities and reach the “Battle For The Banner” contest next season.  Tune in next season around this time!

JVL LINDSEY WILDCAT 2010 COED SOFTBALL CHAMPS

EDWARD A. REYNOLDS WESTSIDE 2010 ALTERNATIVE LEAGUE 2010 COED SOFTBALL FINALISTS