07/01/2019
SHRIVERS WIN AGAIN?!
Twenty Championships Unparelleled in the Live Ball Era
COLUMBUS.
The hometown Bad News Beers run-ruled Standard Balls in the spring kickball semi-final, in a tight affair, 17-6. In the final, the Beers tightened their defense, going on to score twelve unanswered runs en route to their historic 20th championship, beating Friend-Zone6 12-1. The game marked the twentieth chamionship by the dynasty, and perhaps the final full season by leadoff kickers Cam and Julia Shriver.
“The Shrivers—a great couple by the way--offer the squad a certain joie de vivre” renowned sportscaster Bob Costa said following the championship. “It’s French. But they also have this extreme competitiveness, l’extreme de competitive, I think. Just great people all around. Salt of the earth. But what will they do now? What do you do after you’ve reached the pinnacle?"
Despite allowing runs in the first inning in both games, the Beers kept their composure to stay in the game and used their patented small-ball paired with aggressive base running and well-timed base-clearing home runs by Cam and JC, respectively, to pull ahead and keep their lead. They never looked back.
Laura, the constant ace, continued to wow the fans (her loving parents) on the mound, bringing her season ERA down to 0.92, best in the league. “I just think, when you have this defense, put the ball on the plate and let them kick,” Laura said after the championship. Rookie Abby Skoda proved as much. Southwood Elementary can prove a pressure cooker this time of year, but Skoda made plays all day in multiple phases of the game.
Player-manager Matt Hamski singled out Nicholas Port for praise. “I thought he played the solid two-way game we expect,” Hamski said. “The same goes for Bullet. To be honest, opponents can’t kick it to our outfield in any spot, because we’ll catch it. I call it a black hole. You know, because in black holes, balls just go and get caught in them, right? That’s why I call it a black hole outfield. Everyone gets it; from science.”
Julia Shriver, kicking second in the lineup just 12 weeks after her knee surgery, showed trademark speed rounding the bases and touching home four times.
The darkest moment of the evening came as Z-Baby Zac scored at home, sliding awkwardly into the plate and appearing to injure his knee. Twenty minutes later, he was still photographed wincing in the dugout. The veteran Beer received a standing ovation from the crowd as he was carted off the field. Hamski declined to suggest a timeline for his return.
Lil Cat Schuenke was in attendance (with his mother) to witness his father’s 20th championship. OGs Big Cat Schuenke, Hamski, and Durzo proudly sang the BNB fight song which reverberated around the city of Columbus.