UPDATED: Pirates complete a long trip to Columbia, Maryland on June 14 with a victory against the Columbia Reds and a final score of 9 to 2. Our favorite swashbucklin’ athletes handled their opponents with the use of just two pitchers. Well, congratulations Carney Pirates, your performance merited a narrative writeup. While watching Stanford score a record tying eleven runs in the ninth to top FSU (we told you a lot of these games go down to the last two or three innings), I received a cell phone call from George Piccirilli. Here’s how he described the game to me: “Doug, our bats woke up from the dormant state they were in at Mt. Vernon as we had numerous quality at bats. I myself had several clutch hits and drove in an impressive four runs. Up and down the lineup, each of our guys hit the ball well, including visiting All-Met Keith Werman (we can now congratulate Bart Reese on his excellent pitching), our effective leadoff man Ian MacGeorge continued to hit the ball well, Foster Dunigan back in the swing now, hammered out two hits, Reed Bromley even with a tan, hit well, Mike and Matt Snyder had solid hits (and a huge appetite for hardshell crabs), and Shane Halley in what’s becoming a streak, roped another extra base knock. Did I mention that I lead the team in RBIs? Our newest addition, Floridian Drew Dades, had several promising at bats making good contact each time and we’re certainly glad to have his versatility. The trademark Pirate pitching excellence was everpresent as once again, the CNU boys, threw superbly. Tyler McElhenny pitched four outstanding innings and is certainly becoming a worthy Clark Griffith League All Star candidate with the numbers he’s compiling and Kyle Harsanyi came in and closed out with three effective innings of his own. If I wasn’t so enamored with my four RBIs, I would have provided more details.”

Pat Somers earns the hardship award, driving over 100 miles to start the second game of the doubleheader only to have it cancelled due to rain. Pat, see the Personnel Guy he wants to thank you for your dedication and has a Ben and Jerry’s banana split for you. And of course, all of you know by now, that George, one of our more modest athletes among a group of not so shy players, did not call me, did not send me anything, and did not boast about his four RBIs (he also didn’t mind me mentioning it five times!). Chris Yates and Evan Scott, this was all done with a posting deadline in mind, so I’ll follow up. Terrific playing Pirates, this is why focus is such a vital skill to continue to develop, because you are such excellent athletes that focus can provide significant impact and amplification of your skills. Deal from strength. Next game is Monday night wearing our black uniform for the first time. See you there.