Ports Succumb to Influence, 14-10

STOCKTON, Calif.--It's a universal and unavoidable truth that all good things--including softball win streaks--must end.  The Ports Softball (3-1) squad's undefeated streak ended on Tuesday night, as Under the Influence (4-2) handed the Ports a 14-10 loss at Louis Park.

The Ports hit two home runs--an inside and an outside the park homer--the most in a single game this season. The Boys of Banner Island totaled 19 hits in the contest.  They had the chance to come back, loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but two pop outs to shortstop ended the game.

Under the Influence took a 1-0 lead in the first, on a sacrifice fly by Albert D., to score Eric M., who led off the game with a walk.  Under the Influence threatened to score in the top of the second, loading the bases on a pair of singles and a walk.  But Ben R. popped out to third baseman Zach Sharkey and pitcher Vic Zapien struck out Joey T. looking to end the inning.

The Ports made it 2-1 in the bottom of the second for their only lead of the game.  Sharkey led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a hit by Zapien.  Sharkey scored the first Ports run as catcher Kyle Osgood hit into a fielder's choice.  Outfielder Sam Harold next stepped up to the plate and reached on a fielder's choice.  First baseman Tim Pasisz reached on an error by the second baseman to load the bases with two out.  Ben Carr knocked an RBI single to right field to drive home Harold. 

Under the Influence had an offensive outpouring in the third inning, putting nine runs on the board. Mike D. led off the inning with a solo home run to center field, and later followed it up in the frame with a grand slam home run. 

The Ports made it 10-5 in the bottom of the third inning.  Outfielder Luke Reiff led off the frame with a solo shot to left field.  Shortstop Kyle DeWitt reached first with a walk.  Outfielder Mark Mendes doubled to left field to score DeWitt.  Osgood notched an infield single to bring home Mendes for the third run of the inning.  Harold followed with a double, but Pasisz grounded out to end the inning. 

The Ports held Under the Influence scoreless in the fourth.  Outfielder Ben Carr made it 10-6 in the bottom of the fourth.  Carr slammed the ball to the back of the center field wall. As he came charging around second, Carr noted that the outfielders were scrambling to relay the ball in, and headed for home.  He reached home plate standing up, as the relay throw was not in time. 

Under the Influence added their eleventh run on an RBI single by Joaquin A., and kept the Ports scoreless in the fifth.  The Ports defense, after allowing a leadoff walk, retired the next three batters in order in the top of the sixth.

The Ports pulled within two to make it 11-9 in the sixth.  Carr led off the inning, reaching second on an error by the center fielder, who bobbled the ball.  Ethan Bagen doubled to center field, and Carr crossed the plate for his second run of the contest.  Reiff collected another RBI with a double to left field.  DeWitt popped out to second base for the second out of the frame. Mendes reached base on an error by the shortstop to be runners on first and second for Sharkey. Sharkey notched an RBI single for his third hit of the game.

The Ports ran into a little trouble into the top of the seventh.  Under the Influence led off with a walk.  Albert D. hit into a fielder's choice, as Sharkey touched third base to put out the advancing runner.  Jose S. then hit into another fielder's choice.  With runners on first and second, Joaquin A. doubled to bring home Albert D.  Danny R. hit into a fielder's choice, and Sharkey threw the ball to Osgood to get the runner at the plate.  With two out, Tim G. doubled to score two runs.  Eric M. singled to keep the Influence offense alive, but Ben R. popped out to Zapien to end the inning. 

The Ports went into the bottom of the seventh down 14-9.  With one out, Harold doubled through the hole at shortstop. Harold came around to score the final Ports run on a single to center field by Pasisz.  Carr and outfielder John Watts singled to load the bases.  Bagen and Reiff both popped out to short to end the game.

The Ports will look to capture their fourth victory of the season on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Louis Park against Clean Machine.