Montgomery lawyers shellack the Pulaski 9

With visions of Gehrig, Williams, and Ripken dancing in their imagination, lawyers from the New River Valley took the field at historic Calfee Park on the balmy evening of September 8 to renew the periodic softball rivalry between Montgomery and Pulaski Counties.  In a seven-inning clash more reminiscent of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the Montgomery squad easily dispatched their Pulaski colleagues 12-2.

After a warm and gracious introduction by David Warburton and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Grant Back, the Pulaski team took the field and recorded three quick outs.  Repeatedly painting the black and occasionally throwing some high cheese, young attorney James Crandall was outstanding in his mound debut.  In the bottom half of the first frame, Pulaski took a brief 1-0 lead on timely hitting by Andrew Harman, Tim Kirtner, and Justin Griffith.  The Pulaski barristers would pad that lead to 2-0 in the bottom half of the second inning.

Undaunted and perhaps determined to avenge lopsided losses in previous contests, Montgomery would strike back quickly and soon led 5-2.  Pulaski strove valiantly to rally, but the crafty pitching of Mark Caldwell (throwing a rarely seen collection of junk, yakkers, and Uncle Charlies), the deft fielding of the Montgomery squad, and the timely hitting of Huntington, Mullins, and “nature boy” Dennis Nagel frustrated the home team.  Pulaski would fight to the end, but a mammoth two run dinger to left by Montgomery County softball legend and longtime coach Cord Hall ended any hope of a comeback.

Following the game, the teams enjoyed a delicious pizza celebration with plentiful good feeling and fellowship-without a hint of a rhubarb.  Both teams would like to thank Calfee Park for the use of its beautiful and historic facility.