As the SAR varsity Sting Softball team hopped off the bus in Deal, NJ it was clear that not even the hour and a half bus ride would put a damper on the Sting’s opening game Vs. the Hillel Heat. Through the first three innings it seemed as if the game would be an old fashioned pitchers duel as no team was able to even get two players on base at the same time. However, it was Hillel that would kneel first giving up six runs to an eager Sting offense led by long time slugger Gil Fortgang and varsity newcomer Andrew Pitkoff. It would not be two long until Hillel struck back, putting three runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Of course it was the Sting combo of ace Ethan Freilich and backstop Daniel Best who were able to calm down the team’s defense to maintain the lead heading it to the back half of the game. As the game winded down both the Sting and the Heat added a couple more runs but the Sting would not yield as they held the lead throughout the game. While the hitting was enough to excite any softball watcher, the fans were kept on their feet by a handful of controversial calls by the umpire. Sting fans were more than satisfied with the 10-5 opening day win. The Sting win was as classic as they come, featuring tailor made ground and pound ball, something that Coach Bloom hopes to see again this Sunday against the Maor Mayhem.
Written By Ben Elias
