OSI 6 - Butler, Norris & Gold 20

GLASTONBURY

There are many different ways to define winning. Oh sure, there's the classic definition of "to score more runs than the other team", but that's obvious, even boring. There are subtler ways. Team OSI won in one of those subtler ways this evening.

Back in the second game of the season, Butler, Norris & Gold (8-3) embarrassed Open Solutions, sending Team OSI to their worst lost of the season. The 15-run mercy rule was invoked, the game was called after the 5th inning, and B, N & G won 24 to 5.

This game looked as if it may end early, as well. Butler, Norris & Gold had an 18 to 6 lead going into the bottom of the fifth. After scoring two quick runs, B, N & G was up by 14 and had runners on second and third. If only one more run scored, they would move 15 runs ahead and the game would be halted.

They didn't score.

Then in the bottom of the sixth, the first B, N & G batter doubled. After a ground out, he stood on third with only one out. Once again, if he scored the game would be halted by the 15-run mercy rule.

He didn't score either. Subtler victories.

There were some fine performances in the game. Mike "Gold Glove" Goldman went 4 for 4, and John "Stats" Jeffrey went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI. Amy Baldwin, Darren Murray, Joe Pangia, and Patrick Kelly also had two hits apiece.

So yes, Butler, Norris & Gold scored more runs than Open Solutions. Yawn. But they didn't score the one run that would have ended the game early.

There are different ways to define winning.