Softball Team
CUMC Softball: Fellowship on the Field
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME SOFTBALL?!!
Our CUMC Softball team has just started it's 4th Season! This is a co-ed team, ages 16 and up sponsored by the United Methodist Men. It's a slow-pitch league with games starting in early May and the schedule running through July. We had another awesome season this past year and we're looking to build on that this upcoming year. More important than any score, however, is the fellowship the league promotes and all the fun we have. So if you're interested, grab your bat and glove and contact Jason Heavener! jwheavener@yahoo.com
At the end of each Season, Jason puts a lot of thought and effort into the Annual Softball Awards! To download this year's and the past two season award winners, just click on the links below.
Click Here for the 2012 Softball Awards
Click Here for the 2011 Softball Awards
Click Here for the 2010 Softball Awards
2013 Season Highlights:
05/07/13
The weather always seems to play a factor when we take on the talented team from First Baptist and yesterday's game was no different. After a long afternoon of rain the clouds parted long enough for us to squeeze in five great innings of softball. Nari Ecker got us started and from there outfielder Brian Harrison and Jason Heavener each singled and set the table for short-stop Dan Lawrence who came to the plate and hit a two run triple. Outfielder Scott Rankin followed with a sacrifice fly to right that allowed Dan to score from third. With that we were off and racing with a 3 - 2 lead after the first inning. The second frame saw five consecutive CUMC batters reach base as Brian Arnold, Joe Loscalzo Sr., Scott Blissman, Joe Loscalzo Jr. and Bill Corne each record hits as we scored two more runs. The Baptists were not to be outdone and managed three runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game at five apiece. It was then that we felt the game getting away from us as our opponent seemed to gather momentum and after a five run third inning the team from First Baptist tacked on another in the fourth. Trailing 11 - 6 we came to the plate for the final time with our rally hats on. Once again Brian Harrison got us started with a single, Jason Heavener and Dan Lawrence followed with singles as well loading the bases for Scott Rankin who drove a shot to right-center field that the other team never saw coming. With Scott racing around the bases and getting waived home the throw came in from the outfield but it was offline and Scott crossed the plate safely with a Grand Slam! We added the tying run with Brian Arnold slapping a single and driving in Sean Weatherwax to knot the score at 11 each. With daylight quickly fading we took the field hoping for a tie, the best possible outcome since there was no time left for another inning. Alas it was not to be, after surrendering a quick single the next Baptist batter drove a shot down the opposite field line and just like that the runner scored and the game was over. The final score was First Baptist 12, CUMC 11. Despite the final score this game was a lot of fun to be a part of. Joe Loscalzo pitched a great game and made a tremendous play at third base as he raced to the bag just ahead of a speedy Baptist base-runner to record the out. Eric Chelton was solid in the field regardless of what position he was put in and John Nase and Kristi Weatherwax kept them honest on the right side of the infield. Offensively we were led by Dan Lawrence (3 hits, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Jason Heavener (3 hits, 3 runs), Brian Harrision (3 hits, 2 runs) and Scott Rankin (1 hit, 1 run, 5 RBIs). Making his CUMC debut was newcomer Alex Koehler who played well in the outfield.
04/30/13
It is hard to believe that it has been a year since our fearless CUMC squad dusted off their cleats, but tonight, our fun loving crew took the field for the season opener against the always talented team from Bethel Hill UMC. Our opponent struck first jumping out to an early 3-0 lead. Manager Jason Heavener acted quickly making a defensive substitution for himself in center field which quickly paid dividends. Scott (the bionic man) Blissman responded instantly making a diving catch in deep center to prevent several runs from scoring. Unfortunately as good as our defense was, Bethel Hill’s lead grew to 10 runs before our bats came to life in the fourth inning. Dan Lawrence got things started with a smash to left center. Kristi Weatherwax, who reached base in every at-bat, promptly hit an infield single that allowed Dan to score from second while she beat out a close play at first. Brian Harrison reached base on a fielder’s choice and then first baseman Sean Weatherwax came to the plate and promptly slapped a hard single to left center. Nari Ecker followed with a hard hit ground ball which allowed Brian Harrison to cross home plate. Coach Heavener dug in with runners on first and second and promptly belted a double to deep right center that plated another run and then Chad Hussein hit a seeing-eye single which allowed another run to score from third. Outfielder Scott Blissman then moved the runners up with a sharply hit single however our base runners were left stranded to close the frame. As the sun began to fall on the season opener, the final inning was set to play. Down to our last three outs Aimee Heavener (1 for 3) led off with a hard hit ground ball but unfortunately couldn't beat out the throw to first. Then pitcher Eric Chelton (also 1 for 3) got things going with a sharp hit down the third base line which resulted in a double. Brian Arnold came to the plate and hit the ball to right-center resulting in a stand up triple and then Dan Lawrence promptly drove him in with a single to right. That ended our scoring for the night and the final outcome was an 11 - 7 loss. Defensively we played a strong game with newcomers Brian Arnold (third base) and Taylor Rankin (outfield) playing big roles. This game also saw a career highlight for pitcher Eric Chelton who managed to get deep into the fifth inning before he gave up his first walk of the season. Asked about his new found focus and concentrated managing skills Jason Heavener said, "Tonight was easy, Miki wasn't here, I could actually hear myself think."
Click Here to download the 2012 Softball Season Highlights.
Click Here to download the 2011 Softball Season Highlights.
Click Here to download the 2010 Softball Season Highlights.
Our CUMC Softball team has just started it's 4th Season! This is a co-ed team, ages 16 and up sponsored by the United Methodist Men. It's a slow-pitch league with games starting in early May and the schedule running through July. We had another awesome season this past year and we're looking to build on that this upcoming year. More important than any score, however, is the fellowship the league promotes and all the fun we have. So if you're interested, grab your bat and glove and contact Jason Heavener! jwheavener@yahoo.com
At the end of each Season, Jason puts a lot of thought and effort into the Annual Softball Awards! To download this year's and the past two season award winners, just click on the links below.
Click Here for the 2012 Softball Awards
Click Here for the 2011 Softball Awards
Click Here for the 2010 Softball Awards
2013 Season Highlights:
05/07/13
The weather always seems to play a factor when we take on the talented team from First Baptist and yesterday's game was no different. After a long afternoon of rain the clouds parted long enough for us to squeeze in five great innings of softball. Nari Ecker got us started and from there outfielder Brian Harrison and Jason Heavener each singled and set the table for short-stop Dan Lawrence who came to the plate and hit a two run triple. Outfielder Scott Rankin followed with a sacrifice fly to right that allowed Dan to score from third. With that we were off and racing with a 3 - 2 lead after the first inning. The second frame saw five consecutive CUMC batters reach base as Brian Arnold, Joe Loscalzo Sr., Scott Blissman, Joe Loscalzo Jr. and Bill Corne each record hits as we scored two more runs. The Baptists were not to be outdone and managed three runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game at five apiece. It was then that we felt the game getting away from us as our opponent seemed to gather momentum and after a five run third inning the team from First Baptist tacked on another in the fourth. Trailing 11 - 6 we came to the plate for the final time with our rally hats on. Once again Brian Harrison got us started with a single, Jason Heavener and Dan Lawrence followed with singles as well loading the bases for Scott Rankin who drove a shot to right-center field that the other team never saw coming. With Scott racing around the bases and getting waived home the throw came in from the outfield but it was offline and Scott crossed the plate safely with a Grand Slam! We added the tying run with Brian Arnold slapping a single and driving in Sean Weatherwax to knot the score at 11 each. With daylight quickly fading we took the field hoping for a tie, the best possible outcome since there was no time left for another inning. Alas it was not to be, after surrendering a quick single the next Baptist batter drove a shot down the opposite field line and just like that the runner scored and the game was over. The final score was First Baptist 12, CUMC 11. Despite the final score this game was a lot of fun to be a part of. Joe Loscalzo pitched a great game and made a tremendous play at third base as he raced to the bag just ahead of a speedy Baptist base-runner to record the out. Eric Chelton was solid in the field regardless of what position he was put in and John Nase and Kristi Weatherwax kept them honest on the right side of the infield. Offensively we were led by Dan Lawrence (3 hits, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Jason Heavener (3 hits, 3 runs), Brian Harrision (3 hits, 2 runs) and Scott Rankin (1 hit, 1 run, 5 RBIs). Making his CUMC debut was newcomer Alex Koehler who played well in the outfield.
04/30/13
It is hard to believe that it has been a year since our fearless CUMC squad dusted off their cleats, but tonight, our fun loving crew took the field for the season opener against the always talented team from Bethel Hill UMC. Our opponent struck first jumping out to an early 3-0 lead. Manager Jason Heavener acted quickly making a defensive substitution for himself in center field which quickly paid dividends. Scott (the bionic man) Blissman responded instantly making a diving catch in deep center to prevent several runs from scoring. Unfortunately as good as our defense was, Bethel Hill’s lead grew to 10 runs before our bats came to life in the fourth inning. Dan Lawrence got things started with a smash to left center. Kristi Weatherwax, who reached base in every at-bat, promptly hit an infield single that allowed Dan to score from second while she beat out a close play at first. Brian Harrison reached base on a fielder’s choice and then first baseman Sean Weatherwax came to the plate and promptly slapped a hard single to left center. Nari Ecker followed with a hard hit ground ball which allowed Brian Harrison to cross home plate. Coach Heavener dug in with runners on first and second and promptly belted a double to deep right center that plated another run and then Chad Hussein hit a seeing-eye single which allowed another run to score from third. Outfielder Scott Blissman then moved the runners up with a sharply hit single however our base runners were left stranded to close the frame. As the sun began to fall on the season opener, the final inning was set to play. Down to our last three outs Aimee Heavener (1 for 3) led off with a hard hit ground ball but unfortunately couldn't beat out the throw to first. Then pitcher Eric Chelton (also 1 for 3) got things going with a sharp hit down the third base line which resulted in a double. Brian Arnold came to the plate and hit the ball to right-center resulting in a stand up triple and then Dan Lawrence promptly drove him in with a single to right. That ended our scoring for the night and the final outcome was an 11 - 7 loss. Defensively we played a strong game with newcomers Brian Arnold (third base) and Taylor Rankin (outfield) playing big roles. This game also saw a career highlight for pitcher Eric Chelton who managed to get deep into the fifth inning before he gave up his first walk of the season. Asked about his new found focus and concentrated managing skills Jason Heavener said, "Tonight was easy, Miki wasn't here, I could actually hear myself think."
Click Here to download the 2012 Softball Season Highlights.
Click Here to download the 2011 Softball Season Highlights.
Click Here to download the 2010 Softball Season Highlights.