Cycle of Violence: Ev Powers MVP Past Bullworms

For those suffering from selective memory loss or choosing blissful ignorance, MVP’s last showdown with the Bullworms was a howler, with the then-defending champs losing to a nine-man Bullworm unit.

In terms of our general punctuality, my expectations are usually low. I’m used to hitting the group chat with the “we have a game” text around 9:25, but to my surprise, MVP arrived in droves early Sunday morning as the four Bullworms looked on in envy of MVP’s headcount and cooler.

We also had a new face join us. Dom, better known as Dominick to those closest to him, took a break from his ESPN stint to enjoy some Sunday softball. The Rocky Point export made MVP history as the first Eagle to receive the green light from management to play for MVP. His mere presence rubbed many Bullworms the wrong way. Not because he’s from Rocky Point, but because the Coastal Carolina closer was spotted signing autographs for all the girlfriends in attendance (unconfirmed). While his swing amounted to nothing more than ground ball reps for Olsen, his pitch repertoire is unreal, and he will inevitably join Keith Osik as the second MVP player to don a big league uniform.

Player of the Game 

Ev | 5-5, 4 runs, 5 RBIs, cycle, two homers, and a walk-off 

Highlights

• GM and Brady both go 4-for-5, combining for six runs and five RBIs
• Munchie cosplays Roberto Alomar at second base
• CJ steps up with two triples, two web gems, and a lot more than two beers consumed
• Shohei Rich gets the W and drives in four
• MVP and the Bullworms enjoy post-game libations together

On to the game…

Despite scratching across a run in the first thanks to poor infield conditions and play, MVP was spared by overzealous Bullworm baserunners—a trend that would haunt them throughout the morning. Ironically, after breaking my bat, I too was hosed in the first inning by an Ichiro-esque throw from Niski. At the end of one, the score was tied at one.

After doubling their score in the top half of the second, MVP responded with a string of hits capped off by a bases-clearing triple from CJ. It was 6–1 MVP after two.

The Bullworms capitalized on a few more infield blunders, at least I think they did, eventually evening things up at eight going into the bottom of the fifth. To be fair, there were quite a few miscues in the infield, and in an effort to cover their asses, some MVP infielders claimed they “lacked chemistry.” One of them is a biomedical engineer with a PhD for a living. Don’t give us that shit, Baylous.

Thankfully, Ev was a man on a mission after missing yet another MVP slugfest the week before. He delivered a three-run bomb as part of a four-run response. MVP was back in control, leading 12–8 after five.

Around this time, the Bullworms attempted to mimic MVP’s defensive alignment. It was painful to watch as they shuffled around like it was a middle school musical, with only slightly better spatial awareness.

Both teams added runs in the sixth and seventh innings, with MVP holding a 15–10 edge heading into the eighth. At that point, the Bullworms looked totally checked out. But as the saying goes, anything can happen on a Sunday.

Sure enough, it did.

I’m not even sure how it happened, probably a bad cocktail of bloopers, seeing-eye singles, and misplayed grounders, but MVP surrendered eight runs, including a sac fly on a line drive to the pitcher. Yes, a runner actually tagged up and scored on a lineout to the pitcher. The Bullworms led 18–15 going into the bottom of the eighth.

MVP put up a good fight but went down in order.

Heading into the ninth, CJ, previously exiled to catcher per guest protocol, became an unlikely defensive savior. He delivered two web gems that gave MVP the jolt it needed going into the final frame. As the adage goes, make the play(s) and lead off the inning. After drilling a triple down the left-field line, CJ set the tone and the Bullworms’ outfield looked like they’d just finished running wind sprints.

The GM followed with a triple of his own. Brady and Ev then launched nearly identical home runs, the latter rolling down the hill as the Bullworms outfielder, fully defeated, tossed up his hands, likely just to catch his breath. We hope. By the time Ev crossed the plate and the rest of the Bullworms migrated to the shade, MVP had completed yet another comeback victory.

MVP now heads into a soft matchup next week and the July 4th holiday.
 

🏳️‍🌈Happy Pride Month, Ryan James!🏳️‍🌈