Longest Game Ever Ends In Split

West Hempstead, NY - On most weeks, players on the Gamers can expect to be home around 4 pm just in time for the late starting NFL games. This week however there would be no football watching as the first game didn't even end until 4 pm! Add in a long second game and some of the Gamers didn't get home until just before 6 o'clock, some four hours after the game started.

A back and forth slugfest in the first game that the Gamers won 28-27 on a walk off grand slam by Ian Zeigler contributed to the length of the game. But the major factor was the slow pace, a result of over 40 walks handed out by Sp Craig "Al Leiter" Shames. And that's no exaggeration. He literally walked over 40 people because Krystin, Kristen, Joanne, and Amber were trying to keep track but they had to stop after they all ran out of fingers.

Despite Shames' struggles (the result of having to pitch from further back and to a shorter than normal strike zone) the Gamers still found a way to win, coming back from two separate 8 run deficits, and finally pulling out the victory, as they always do in their last at bat.

Offensively, Rob Roll, Rob Rathbun, Scott Zimmerman (twice), and Zeigler (twice) all went yard and combined to drive in 17 of the 28 runs lead by Zeiglers' 8 rbis. Also sparking the Gamers offense was, Billy Bezouska, who some how managed to pick up successive 2 rbi triples in his first two at bats even though one of the hits was an infield single and the other a bloop down the right field line.

In the second game, the Gamer's looked tired after having played for so long in the first game and it showed at the plate as their bats went cold in a 18-10 loss. They did rally for six runs in the fourth inning as the Corner Pub's pitcher struggled with the strike zone, walking in two runs, but eventually he settled down and managed to hold the Gamers to just three more runs over the last three innings.

On the day, Brian Malfettone was perfect going 6 for 6, and Zimmerman almost perfect with 7 hits in his 8 at bats. Greg Roll 4 for 7 with 2 walks, Dave Roll 4 for 9 with 3 runs, and Scott Goldsmith scoring 3 runs while filling in at third base, added to the Gamer's attack. Zac Nicholson picked up the win in relief of Shames with Rathbun getting the hold after striking out the only batter he faced. He then promptly announced his retirement so that he can say he struck out the only batter he ever pitched to.

The Gamers are now 6-2 on the year after splitting the last two weeks against the two top teams in the division. They'll look to get back to sweeping teams when they meet the Shockers next week for the first time this year.