The draft was done, rosters were set, and it was time to see which team could gel quickest out of the gate.

Top of the 1st, the Silverbacks came out swinging, putting up 5 runs right away.

In the bottom half, the Rockets went right to work. Tony Ambre led things off with a laser line drive over the third baseman’s head for a double, followed by Alan Paulette smashing another double to put Red on the board. The Rockets kept the pressure on, scratching out 3 runs to close the gap.

The Silverbacks answered with 2 more in the second, but the Rockets punched back with a full 5-run inning of their own. From there, it was back-and-forth softball at its finest—both squads playing hard, chasing that first win of the season.

Heading into the 7th, the Rockets held a 6-run lead, but the Silverbacks weren’t ready to roll over. They slugged their way to 6 runs to tie it, and suddenly it was crunch time—one run for the Rockets would end it.

Clint Short led off with a single to get things moving. We loaded the bases, setting the stage for Ricky Hoelck. Ricky stepped in, cool as you like, and ripped a shot to right-center. Steve Tripe made a great catch and fired a rocket to the plate, but Clint —fresh off getting chewed out the inning before 😂—turned on the afterburners and beat the throw home standing for the walk-off win.

Final: Rockets 23 – Silverbacks 22 🚀

 Both teams flashed the leather all night. There’s already a shortstop rivalry brewing between Bob Cain (Silverbacks) and Alan Paulette (Rockets), with both guys making highlight plays in the field and tearing up the basepaths. No doubt they’re both sore this morning.

 Play of the night? Easy—JC’s “catch of the century.” Charging down a shallow fly down the right-field line, he made a tumbling, diving grab that had the bench roaring. Newcomer Guillermo, shaking off a little rust, showed his veteran instincts with some sharp plays at second—including a “gentle” collision catch with JC.

At the plate, the Rockets raked. Jesse, Guillermo, JC, and Ricky all went 3-for-3 with a walk. Ray smoked a wicked triple down the right-field line, while Ricky might’ve had the hardest-hit ball of the night—a scorcher up the middle that sounded like it was shot out of a cannon.

Dave L. and Tony covered miles in the outfield tracking down shots. Tom Karins placed two perfect hits down the right-field line. Jorge knocked in a pile of RBIs with a pair of clutch base hits and locked down third base against a barrage of hard-hit balls also firing a ball home to get a Silverback at the plate. And finally, Ray pitched a gem—pounding the strike zone, giving up no free passes, while the Rockets stayed disciplined at the plate and drew five walks.