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The Softballers finished the SASL season in 1st place with a 16-4 Record. After an amazing night of wild card saturday night playoff baseball at Wantagh Park, the Warriors (10th Place) emerged to take on the defending champs in a first round best-of-three series this afternoon at Cantiague Park.

GAME ONE: Softballers 10 - Warriors 11

The Warriors proved themselves to be quite worthy of earning a playoffs seed this series. After taking an early commanding 11-1 lead, the Softballers were facing arguably their toughest challenge in their two year history. We rallied back at the end of the game, but unfortunately came up a run short as we lost 11-10.

GAME TWO: Softballers 3 - Warriors 1
Despite witnessing an embarassing, yet very humbling loud celebration by the Warriors after our game 1 defeat, the Softballers returned with a vengence. We were led by our star pitcher, Zak Saeed who held the Warriors to a single run all game. Although our offensive woes, we managed to score 3 runs over 7 innings to tie up the series 1-1.

GAME THREE: Softballers 7 - Warriors 6
The Softballers started off this game strong scoring three runs early in the first inning to take an early lead. They soon added another three runs to hold a 6-0 lead which lasted most of the game. However, the Warriors fought back and scored six runs in the 6th and 7th innings to tie up the game. But - with home field advantage, the softballers had last licks and a chance to win in the bottom of the 7th.

Ahmad led off the inning with a high pop up which somehow dropped very shallow in centerfield. Ali then grounded into a fielder’s choice - with Ahmad getting tagged out at 2nd, and Ali moving to first base. (This itself was a controversial play as some may argue that Ahmad slid unnecessary into the Warrior’s infielder after he was already out). Nonetheless, next up to bat was Atif Khan with a Ali on 2nd. Atif hits a sharp base hit and is safe at first. However, the warriors argue that he rounded first base and they tagged him out. Meanwhile, while the warriors continue to argue the call at first (ump called Atif safe) Ali rounds the bases and slides in home before the throw home. BALLERS WIN 7-6.

I will be the first to admit that was quite a cheap way to win the game. But if the roles were reversed, I’m sure any other team would’ve taken it too. What an amazing series. Mad props to the 10th seeded Warriors for putting on quite an impressive performance against the SASL Champs. They should be proud of their accomplishments on the field.

Meanwhile, while their season is over, that gives them plenty of time to…