2009 Copperview Coed Champs

championship game

Fresh off a late-inning rally in which the News was the home team and won in walk-off fashion, the coin flip determined that the News would bat first and attempt to use that same carry-over heat that helped them claim victory in the quarterfinal contest. It worked! Sparked by a four-run first and a seven-run second, the News claimed its first coed title in five years with a commanding 16-8 win over Adajio.

The win was redemption for two of the four losses the News suffered in its eight-game regular season and a sweet one it was. A complete team-effort if there ever was one, the News was aided by timely hitting and stellar defense which included an incredible double-play by the tandem of Emily Grabner, James Edward and Sarah Thomas.

After making a diving stop behind second base, Grabner flipped the ball to Edward at second who caught it bare handed and fired home to Thomas who caught the ball just in time to nail the runner trying to score from third. The play was a rally killer and helped the News take a strong 16-6 lead heading to the final at bat for Adajio.

Congratulation for a great season. Though just 11 team members were able to show up for the final two games, 18 team members contributed at some point throughout the two-month season. The championship trophy, which stands at least 3 1/2 feet tall will make its home on the fifth floor of the News building, home to the sports department.

See you in August as we attempt to claim our second title in as many seasons.

semifinal game

What is believed to be the hottest day of the year in 2009 turned into a cool beginning for the News in its semifinal matchup against FHE on Monday night. Both teams struggled offensively, but once again the bats came alive late as the News moved to the championship game with a 9-6 victory.

The News took an early 2-0 lead and increased that lead to 4-1 heading into the fifth inning. FHE rallied to take a 6-5 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth when a two-out rally by the News plated four runs for the ultimate victory. Despite the News being home team, the game actually ended because of a time rule shortly after the ninth run that takes precedence over the scheduled seven-inning game.

The win moved the News to the championship game against mild upset winner Adajio, who beat up top-seeded Zissou to advance to the title game.

quarterfinal game

As previously mentioned, rained turned what should have been a single game evening of postseason play into a regular-season finale followed by a playoff game.

The News entered the contest as the number four seed in the eight-team tournament and faced off against a team they've been playing for years, Relativity. The number five seed Relativity had previously handed the News their second loss of the season in week 2 by the score of 5-2 (the lowest scoring outing of the season for the News).

Despite laying claim to the fourth seed, coin flips determine home team status, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Fresh off of a loss, but a loss where the bats came alive, the News came out red hot in the quarterfinal contest, scoring seven times in the first inning en route to a 13-8 victory. The win sets up a rematch with number two seed FHE whom the News defeated 13-9 on May 18.

game 8

The final game of the regular season turned out to be a tuneup for the postseason as rained postponed this originally scheduled contest from June 8 until June 29. And a bittersweet tuneup it was. The bats got hot but ran up against the first place Zissou team who ultimately prevailed 14-6. Fortunately for the News, those 6 runs were scored late in the game and it turned out to be a great carryover to the second season - the postseason.

game 7

After collecting four straight wins, the News stumbled against Adajio for the second straight time (Adajio had handed the News their first loss of the season), this time falling 15-4 . It was the lowest hit output of the season with just 11 base knocks.

games 5 & 6

Finally — a break in the clouds and softball for the Deseret News.

After four weeks off because of Memorial Day and two rain outs, the News took to the diamond and swept a doubleheader on Monday night with a 12-7 win in the first and a 13-8 victory in the second.

With two games to go in the regular season, the News sits in a three-way tie for second place with a 4-2 record.

roster check - games 5 & 6

Two games scheduled for tomorrow, with the first beginning at 6 p.m. followed by an hour break and the second game at 8 p.m. Please let me know if you will be there.

roster check — game 5

Game time for Monday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m on the south field. Please let me know if you will be present.

game 4

The hot weather made its way to the DNews bats on Monday night to the tune of eight first-inning runs en route to a 14-9 victory. But the real highlight of the night belongs to the tandem of Cliff Schmidt, James Edward and Linda Hamilton who turned a rally-killing triple play in the second inning. A soft liner to Cliff, who tossed it to James at second, who then fired to Linda at first to triple off the runner who was now standing at second base — having motored there seemingly unaware of what had just happened — completed the rare feat.

The win improved the News' record to 2-2 heading to the Memorial Day holiday and off week next Monday. Play resumes on June 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Update: The Elias Sports Bureau reports that that the triple play in the second inning of Monday night's game between the Deseret News and FHE was in fact a first for the News — at least to be blogged about.

roster check — game 4

Game time for Monday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m on the south field. Please let me know if you will be present. Bring your water, supposed to be the hottest day of the year.

game 3

The DNews bats came alive on Monday night to spark a 10-3 victory over the University of Phoenix. Three newbies joined the team for the game and contributed to the charge which included 25 base hits in 36 plate appearances (thanks to Salt Lake County for those stats).

roster check - game 3

Game time tomorrow evening is again scheduled for 7 p.m. Please let me know if you will be present.

fall ball?

I know it's early, but registration usually takes place within the next month or so for fall ball. With that said, I'm trying to gauge interest in who would like to play from early August through early October in a fall league. Same deal where we'll have to pay. Please post your thoughts through the comment section.

game 2

After a scoreless two innings, both teams managed two runs to notch the score for an inning before the bad guys scored three times to take a 5-2 victory. That leaves the News at 0-2 heading into week three of the young season.

roster check - game 2

Just checking to see who will be there for Monday's game at 7 p.m. If you'd like, please leave a comment as to your availability.

game 1

Thanks to some late afternoon additions, we had a full team (that's 10 players: 5 men, 5 women) for our first game of the season. And although a fifth-inning mini rally produced a few runs, the News fell short in game one, 12-6.