The Unicorns came out strong, scoring 3 runs and almost going through our entire lineup in the 1st inning. We hit a dry spell the next few innings. However, we pushed back at the top of the 5th going on a 5 run rally. Schweaty Balls got a taste of their own medicine with some well placed, deceptive bunts. In the 6th inning, Kevin (aka Bad Ass) and Sarah (aka Tits McGee) displayed some impressive base running bringing in another 2 runs for the Unicorns on a broken play.

In typical fashion, it took the 1st inning for the Unicorns to settle in. We chased runners around the bases giving up 4 runs. We slowed them down in the 2nd only giving up 2 runs. They scored another 3 runs in the 3rd inning from some gaps in our outfield. We made some minor position adjustments in the 4th inning. The Unicorns defense really came together in the 4th and 5th innings. All pop flys were caught and Joel (aka The Gazelle) and Imogen (aka Wanderlust) connected for another true double play. In the bottom of the 6th, Schweaty Balls snuck in 2 more runs off some quick base running.

Unfortunately, the Unicorns couldn’t get those last few runs. The game was called 11 – 10 at the top of the 7th. All in all, we played well. Now that we have settled on a consistent lineup we see our offensive strategy scoring more and more runs each game. As we continue to perfect our individual kicks and base running we’ll be a force to recon with. Defensively, you can see some Unicorns gaining confidence in their positions. Plays are starting to come together, despite a few missed pop flys. All of which can be overcome with more practice.

Although the Unicorns were dealt another loss, we can hold our heads high after that game. I’m not sure we’d really want to beat Schweaty Balls anyway. That brings the Unicorns to 0-3 for the fall season. I dare say a W is in our near future.

Go Unicorns!

Unicorns are stabilizing on defense relative to last season. We’re able to hold our opponents to only averaging a few runs per inning. We’re also starting to link up plays. The Unicorns had their first true double play last night. We also had a shut out inning. Coach JMac (aka Nacho Supreme) got the first two, catching a pop fly with one hand, and Kendra (aka K Stink) absorbed a low line drive up the middle with authority.

We started 5th inning down 1 – 6. The Unicorns went on an impressive eight run rally, scoring most of the runs under two outs. While we did have a few good kicks, a majority of our runs were the result of It Itches When I Kick making poor choices trying to get that last out. Either way, it was great to be on the other side of a rally.

The ump gave us a 5 minute warning and the Unicorns took the field ahead, 9 – 6. Immediately It Itches When I Kick came out with a solid kick to first. Their second kicker got out at first. Their next kicker brought in a run and the tying runner went for home. He fell while rounding third. Seeing this, Coach JMac broke his own rule about throwing at the runner. This allowed the winning run to advance to third. In the end, they kept stacking the bases. The Unicorns just couldn’t hold on. It Itches When I Kick managed to score two more runs bringing the game to 9 – 11.

Although the Unicorns did beat the clock and were able to start the 6th inning, we couldn’t stage a come back. The game was called. All in all, it was a great game. We didn’t get run-ruled and everyone had fun. I’ll say that last night’s game was the first where we showed significant improvement. If we keep it up, we’ll get that W sooner, rather than later.

The Kicking Irish kicked first and started out bunting. However, the also mixed in some power kicks. Combined with first game gitters, this threw our defense off and immediately gave up five runs. We responded with a good inning (for us). We scored two runs and displayed some solid kicking. This repeated for two more innings bringing the game to 9 – 2.

Unfortunately the Unicorns imploded top of the 4th. We were all over the place with poor catching and throwing and common mistakes like not getting the ball back to the roller. Heck we even kicked a ball in from the outfield. We gave up 9 runs bringing the score to 18 – 2. With a smile on his face, the ump told us we needed 7 runs to say in the game. Jesse lead off and managed a home run kick. Although it was a good kick, the Kicking Irish definitely seemed to be toying with us. Jason Clark also brought in a run. Unfortunately the Unicorns couldn’t pull off a monsterous rally to stay in the game.

The loss can be blamed largely to being disorganized. Being the first game of the season the Unicorns were rather haphazard about who was going to play. There was even a pre-game debate about rules. In the end, game time decisions were made about the line-up and positions. Some people were playing positions they don’t normally play and we couldn’t be strategic about stacking our line-up. Although we are the Unicorns, we can’t expect to do all that well winging it.

With a final score of 18 – 4, that’s 0 – 1 for the Unicorns. If we shake off the nerves and show up ready to play, I think the fall season will be better. Not saying we’ll win a game, but I expect less run rules.

The Unicorns played a make up game against M & P last Thursday as the final game of the season. Fortunately it was an equal match up as M & P had not won a game either. This was indeed the Toilet Bowl. One team would emerge victorious.

The Unicorns kicked first and quickly scored 3 runs at the top of the lineup. We did an excellent job of keeping the ball on the ground and beating the play to first base. The Unicorns also came out strong on defense, not allowing any runs in the 1st inning.

M & P made some adjustments to their defense to better react to our bunting and were able to stop us cold in the 2nd inning. Then they came out kicking strong into our gaps and tied the game at 3-3.

First base seemed to be a conflict zone at a few points during the game. M & P tried to run some interference on a pop fly by lowering a shoulder into our first baseman Jesse. Fortunately the ump spotted it and called the player out. Later in the game a minor collision again caused some tension. The first base woman for M & P thought she made the play and initiated a strong debate with the ump. In the end, she didn’t have control of the ball and was blocking the runners path.

We managed to pick up a run each inning for the remainder of the game and held M & P to only 1 run. We entered the 7th inning 6-4. After leading the whole game and with a victory in sight, the Unicorns were fired up. Unfortunately, we were unable to add to the lead. M & P capitalized on a couple errors and quick scored a run. It was 6-5. We made the next out. M & P started strategizing and got runners on first and second. With a guy up, they attempting a sac fly to tie the game. They got more than that as the Unicorns didn’t make the catch. M & P brought in 2 runs, and the ump called the game at 7-6.

That ends the season for the Unicorns at 0-8. The perfect losing season. Nonetheless, the Unicorns showed improvement this season. We are already signed up for the fall league. I am confident we’ll pick up a W then.

Another missed opportunity by the Unicorns last Thursday against The Eliminators. Although equally matched, we just couldn’t hold it together for the win.

As we’ve seen all season both teams need the 1st inning to warm-up. The Eliminators kicked first alternating between bunts and power kicks. They only scored 2 runs before the Unicorns shut them down. We were able to score 5 runs at the top of our line-up. This was our the biggest lead all season.

The 2nd inning brought the Unicorns back from imaginary land when The Eliminators went on a 6 run rally. We were only answered with 1 run. Bringing the game to 8-6.

The game got pretty rough from there – both physically and mentally. There was a professional hockey style check at second base leaving SteVon on the ground in a daze. Some aggressive base running resulted in a couple dusty slides. By the 4th inning the Eliminators had to field with 8 due to an injury. The Unicorn defense held together enough to only give up a few runs each inning. However, our offense fell apart. The Unicorns basically forgot the rules of base running resulting in a majority of our outs. We didn’t tag up on the pop fly outs. We were often caught off base when we didn’t have to run. It was “run on anything” the whole time.

The Unicorns had a final chance to come back in the bottom of the 7th. With a score of 13-11, we needed 3 runs. We had two good kicks which put a runner on first and second. That put us back to the top of our lineup with no outs. I tried to switch things up with a bunt, it was my first of the season and will be my last. It was pathetic. The ball took a small hop and landed in a dead stop about a foot in front of home plate. I gave the next kick more leg managed to drop it in mid-field. Unfortunately, somehow The Eliminators turned it into a double play even though I manage to slide into third for a triple. Still not sure what happened. Now with two outs the Unicorns didn’t have much chance at a comeback.

The game ended 13-11. Although our highest scoring game, it was one of our worst. That brings us to 0-7 for the season. We have one more game…