'Rakers flushed by Acme Plumbing

WALNUT CREEK -- A slow-starting Muckraker contingent couldn't keep up with Acme Plumbing, and as a result got Roto-Rootered 17-8 on Field 1.

The game Muckrakers didn't stomp home plate until the fourth inning, and by then they were already staring a double-digit deficit straight in the grill. Especially damaging was the 10-spot put up by Acme in the third. Still, the Muckrakers kept plugging away, and made things respectable with a five-run uprising in the sixth and final frame.

There were still highlights aplenty for the Mucksters. Matt Petersen continued to drive the softball, this time to the tune of a pair of triples. Dave Alcorn continued his hitting surge with a 3-for-3 outing. And Mike Gale enjoyed a two-hit affair and also made an outstanding catch in left, battling the elements as well as the fence to snag the softball.

The Muckrakers were also aided by two players who did excellent jobs as fill-ins. One player, whom we will dub "Joey-Bear," (and whoever the heck it is we're talking about DON'T CALL HIM JOEY-BEAR, HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE CALLED JOEY-BEAR) proved to be quite versatile on defense, playing several positions during the game and getting the job done at every station.

The Muckrakers will take these pleasant developments into next week's play in their continued search for elusive victory No. 2.