National Guard prevailed over Health, 12-11, Friday night in the start of the second round of the Watlington Division of the Government and Industrial Coed Slowpitch Softball League at Emile Griffith Park.
In the first game of the best-of-three series, the Guardsmen held Health scoreless for the first three innings, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the third to take a 6-0 lead.
Kenneth Alexander reached on an error by Health second baseman James Petty Jr. to lead off the inning. Calvin Jackson followed with a bloop double in left field. Kareem Henley and Alford Richards continued the double hit parade. National Guard pitcher Gail Joseph reached on a fielder's choice. Joseph then scored the fifth run of the inning.
Health came back with three runs in the top of the fourth. Cyril "Zamba" Andrews tripled in Petty and Morris Potter to start the rally. He later scored the third run of the inning.
The guardsmen scored a run in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 7-3, but their defense abandoned them in the top of the fifth, as they made four costly errors that helped Health score four unearned runs. From then on, it was a see-saw contest.
Guard tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth to go back on top, 8-7. Health answered with three more runs in the top of the sixth to retake the lead, 10-8. The guardsmen again scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to close the margin to 10-9. Health scored a run in the top of the seventh to take a two-run lead.
With one out, Joseph singled to left field. Denise Dawson pinch ran for Joseph. Gilbert Henley singled up the middle as Dawson used her speed to motor over to third base. Jason Lewis reached on an error by the Health shortstop that scored Dawson. Henley later scored on a fielder's choice to tie the game at 11-11.
Health pitcher Andrews then loaded the bases by intentionally walking Patrick Farrell to face Margo Rodriquez. She popped out to the shortstop Potter for the second out of the inning. However, Andrews then walked Alexander on four pitches to end the game.