Hot Chasers shattered in jackstomping at the heels of the Doggers

CONCORD -- Thoughts of breaking an 0-for-2005 losing streak where shattered like so many shards of rear-window glass last Thursday at Willow Pass park as the Doggers (3-1) released the hounds in a thrashing of the plucky Hot Chasers (0-4).

Several of Walnut Creek's finest financial district accountants were put the task of compiling the Doggers' run total, but as of this date had blown out several calculators attempting to come up with final figures. "The best that I can say," muttered one overwhelmed bean-counter, "is that the Doggers scored an hellacious amount of runs. The Hot Chasers' runs? That's easy. They scored three."

Scientists at the Livermore Laboratory, employing the latest advances in quantum physics, later ascertained that the Doggers had piled up 34 runs on the Hot Chasers. "Damn, that's a lot of runs," asserted one preeminent brainiac.

Indeed, the Hot Chasers stuttering offense managed to plate just three, despite a lineup shakeup from manager Chris Wagnon. Things began on a semi-optimistic note when the host HC'ers mounted a two-run rally in the first. But the HC'ers wouldn't stomp home again until the final inning of the game, the fifth. By then the outcome had long since been decided.

The crafty lineup adjustments paid off early as Wagnon showed dubious pitch selection but positive results for a first-inning hustle-double. Luke Abbott, batting third, followed up with a single to plate the speedy Wagnon. And newly minted cleanup person Dave Taxier singled in Abbott for the second run of the stanza, but that was the extent of the HC's run production.

A new addition to the Hot Chasers lineup, Joe Stiglich, provided a spark in the fifth, when he launched the first HC triple of the campaign, driving into third like the motor sports writer he is. He eventually came home on Wagnon's sacrifice fly.

"I'm very encouraged that the loses aren't effecting our efforts in the parking lot," said the relentlessly cheerful Wagnon. "As for the game, we're just going to have to keep plugging away. I don't think there's a Z league in Concord. Our slogan should be wait until we get into the Pleasant Hill or Walnut Creek leagues."

There was no faulting the Hot Chasers' effort. But there was also no faulting the unrelenting unleashing of the Doggers, who lashed hit after hit after hit like remorseless softball machine that they are.

So punishing were the Doggers that starting pitcher Mike Wolcott pulled himself off the hill and tossed the ball to lefty reliever Rick Hurd. Wolcott had no reason to be overly down on himself a few days after the game, but his dauber did indeed seem to take a beating.

"I'm reminded of the line in Spinal Tap: there's a small line between clever and stupid," Wolcott intoned. "In softball, I've learned there's an even thinner line between mediocre and sh-tty. I have crossed that line. Two appearances, the two worst beatings of my life. I suck. I am leading this team down a slippery slope of dog cr-p. If there's a softball hall of fame, I should be cleaning the toilets. This is pathetic. I mean, really bad."

Whew. Taking a break for a moment from the self-loathing, there were some character-building portions of positivity on which to build. Abbott performed admirably in switching positions and making his season debut at shortstop, filling in for regular infielder Randy Striegel, who had work obligations. Manager Wagnon thrived in the Two Hole in the batting order, and also showed reliable glove work in the outfield. And Stiglich provided a shot of much-needed youth and certainly opened eyes with his leadoff three-bagger in the fifth. Veteran catcher Mike Lefkow showed the never-say-die quality that makes this team what it is by playing on and never complaining despite suffering a midgame injury.

And the Hot Chasers showed resilience and vowed to go on even in the face of a postgame parking lot setback, when it was discovered that the rear windshield of Neil Hayes' car had been shattered by a home-run ball off field one. It all somehow summed up the Hot Chasers' season: broken but unbowed. The team might drive away a little dinged up, but it motors back to compete another day.