The final week of the Clinton Recreation and Parks Adult Co-ed Softball League regular season featured a showdown between the league’s top two teams as Bat and Boujee remained unbeaten with an 18-15 victory over NGNL Monday night at Royal Lane Park.
Bat and Boujee (6-0) entered the contest already in strong position to claim the No. 1 playoff seed after defeating NGNL 27-18 in the teams’ first meeting on July 2. NGNL (4-4) came into the night looking to strengthen its playoff position while holding a narrow edge over Splittin Gaps in the standings after the two clubs split their season series by one run in each matchup.
Bat and Boujee wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Dustin Sessoms and Kaylee Hope each drove in a run with RBI singles before NGNL turned a double play on a ground ball by Eli Culbreth to end the threat.
NGNL answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Kyle Molivas, Eric Stoddard and Dustin Edge opened with consecutive singles, with Edge driving home the team’s first run. Moments later, Mark Stanford launched a three-run home run to score Stoddard and Edge, putting NGNL ahead 4-3. Another run before the inning ended extended the advantage to 5-3.
NGNL kept Bat and Boujee off the board in the second, recording three straight outs before adding to its lead offensively. Woo Lamb tripled and later scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center field, stretching the advantage to 6-3 before Bat and Boujee retired the side.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the third inning.
Ty McLean opened the frame with a double before Mason Hope drew a walk. Sessoms followed with a two-run triple to trim the deficit to one, and Payton Hope delivered a two-run home run to put Bat and Boujee back in front, 7-6.
The rally continued as Kaylee Hope singled and Culbreth doubled ahead of Allison Coleman, who drove both runners home with a two-run double. Taylon Hope added a two-run homer, and Bat and Boujee capped the inning with two more runs to take a commanding 13-6 lead.
NGNL responded in the bottom of the inning. Edge singled before Andrew Johnston brought him home with an RBI single. After several walks loaded the bases, Michael Dallas belted a grand slam to pull NGNL within one run at 13-12. Lamb added another single before Bat and Boujee recorded the final out to escape the inning.
Bat and Boujee regained control in the fourth, adding three more runs behind RBI hits from Taylon Hope and Kaylee Hope while holding NGNL scoreless to build a 16-12 advantage.
In the fifth, Mason Hope connected on a two-run home run to extend the lead to 18-12.
Facing its final at-bat, NGNL mounted one last rally. Johnston and Stanford reached with singles before Kelly Wood was hit by a pitch, allowing Johnston to score. Dallas and Molivas each drove in a run to cut the deficit to 18-15, but Bat and Boujee recorded the final outs to complete the victory.
The win improved Bat and Boujee to a perfect 6-0 in regular-season play and secured the team’s undefeated record heading into a makeup game against Diamond Dynasty (2-3).
NGNL finished the regular season at 4-4. The Clinton Recreation and Parks Adult Co-ed Softball League playoffs are scheduled to begin during the first week of August, with final seeding and game dates yet to be announced.