Let’s just say it - the
Destroyers have their work
cut out for them this week.
In the world of softball
analysis (a highly respected
profession), the only
indicator that the
Destroyers have a shot on
Thursday is the fact they
are undefeated in GOTW
appearances (1-0).
Everything else points to
impending doom, but as an
annoying blowhard
commentator is fond of
saying – that’s why they
play the games.
The Big Lebowskis are 3-0
all-time against the
Destroyers, scoring an
average of 21 runs in those
wins. The BL’s are
currently averaging 27.4
runs/game this season, which
if they hold will shatter
one of the oldest USHSL
records (21.74 -
Suspension of the Rule
2006). And the BL’s are
winning their games this
season by an average score
of 23-8, which is almost the
average margin they have
held in their previous games
over the Destroyers
(21-12). Not to mention
they are riding a 9-game
winning streak.
But when it comes to “money
time,” the Destroyers can
point to their Elite 8
appearance last season, and
previous Sweet 16
appearances in 2009 and 2008
which far exceeds the
post-season record of the
BL’s who are 2-4 all-time
and have only a 2008 Sweet
16 appearance to their
name. In fact, despite
three straight Top 5
finishes, the BL’s have
dropped their first
tournament game each of the
last two years.
This year, the Destroyers
already have two Top 20
wins, including a victory
over the 2010 Champion
Sliders. Plus, they are
riding their own 6-game
winning streak. Their
first Top 10 finish was last
year, and netted them an
Elite 8 appearance. A win
on Thursday over the
Lebowskis would certainly go
a long way towards another
Top 10 finish – however a
loss could be tough to
overcome with Texas
Republic, Scared Hitless and
the KGbs still looming on
the schedule.
The question of who’s Elite
will only be answered the
weekend of Sept. 9-10th,
but Thursday’s game will
certainly help set the
stage.
