Rent-A-Gades return to form for playoffs

The Rent-A-Gades jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the top of the third inning, led off by a double from Leah Fisher and a single by Jerry Heal. Knight-McLoud and Jeff Banford each delivered base-hit RBIs and Josh Schumacher cracked an RBI double for the early two-run Renta lead. The next couple of innings proved key to the outcome of the game. In the bottom of the third and fourth innings the Talk bats heated up, only to fizzle before they caught fire. Brent Laney and Ali McGuire each tapped base hits and Tom Consentino followed up with an RBI double to center field. Kelly McGuire kept it rolling with a sac-fly RBI and when Dave McGuire sprayed an RBI single to right center, the Talk was up 5-4 and on a roll. Then they flatted as the next two batters, typically consistent in their efforts all season, both flied out and the Talk returned to the field. Rather than fold at the missed opportunity to blow the game open, the Talk defense followed up with tight play and the Talk returned to the plate in the bottom of the fourth, ready to pick up where they left off. Jen Kindred provided the initial spark with a lead-off single and Eric Johnson provided the subsequent fireworks crushing a two-run home run. Ali McGuire drove a double deep to the gap in right center and Consentino struck again with another RBI double to put the Talk up 8-4. But, the Talk bats cooled off again and they never quite turned the corner to bury Renta. Renta then proceeded to chip away at the tenuous Talk lead. Back-to-back base hits put two on with no outs and McLoud at the plate. McLoud connected for a line drive destined for a two-RBI base hit but Consentino had other plans, diving to his right and pulling the ball down at full extension, getting the out and allowing just one run to score. Banford tapped another RBI single to pull Renta within two runs heading into the sixth inning. The Talk added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth but Renta was just warming up as Andrea Schumacher cracked an RBI double, Fisher followed suit and Knight-McLoud put Renta on top 10-9 with a two-RBI double down the left field line. Down 10-9 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Talk remained in the driver’s seat and with one swing of the bat was tied up as Consentino jacked a solo shot. Tied 10-10 now with no outs, it appeared the Talk would dodge a bullet but once again, they struggled to bury the game for good as their bats fell silent and the game went to extra innings. Local slowpitch softball rules provide additional drama for extra innings as teams start with a runner on second with no outs and every hitter stepping to the plate with a full count. And while the pressure of a full count would seem crushing for hitters, the onus is also upon the pitcher as they are reduced to just one pitch. Rather than mix it up on a batter over the course of three or four pitches, which is what Talk pitcher Dave McGuire is known for, they only get one and it’d better be a strike, or close to it. The Rent-A-Gades proved they are clutch when it matters most as they took the extra innings rules in stride, knocking 11 base hits to score 10 runs and pull ahead 20-10. The Talk bats did not respond well to the situation as they managed just two hits and two runs before falling 20-12 and are now bound for the losers bracket on Wednesday.