Undaunted by a spell of untoward weather, the micro division players of the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League were back in the game on 4/21/07. The Autumn Press/Andronico’s Lightning Bolts and San Marco/Jane Hammond Events Chocolate Chip Bunnies kept the rain clouds at bay with some excellent hitting and fielding. Bases were loaded in the bottom half of the first inning, when Bolt Sara Guller slammed a hard line drive to left field, and teammate Ruby Wilks sprinted effortlessly home. In the final inning, inspired by spirited cheers from the dugout, Bunnies Delaney Whitaker and Delian Ligon made consecutive slams to the center and outmaneuvered skillful fielding by the Lightning Bolts. In a late crowd-thrilling moment, Bunny Esther Karpilow demonstrated adept fielding as she slung the ball powerfully toward first and the unflappable Bolts hustled to base.

In a game marked by aggressive baserunning, it was the Thunderstorms'(OTB) defense that provided the margin in an exciting 21-19 win over the Funky Monkeys (FLM) Saturday at Codornices. In the first inning, Thunderstorm Alison Radkey recorded two put-outs at first base, catching throws from pitcher Maria Barkhurst and 2B Sadie Murray. Hannah Murray made the third out of the inning unassisted at 3B. The Thunderstorms also got three outs in the third inning, with the key play being a throw from Lucy Rosenthal at shortstop to Shira Baskind covering second. The Thunderstorms hit the ball solidly throughout. Highlights included Sierra Jimenez’s single into left field on a fly, and Eliza Murley’s fly ball single in the fourth.

Raleigh Williams played a fabulous game for the Funky Monkeys on Saturday. She caught a pop fly, had 5RBIs, a triple play and got an out at home with the assist of teammate and catcher Quinn Lewis. Quinn Lewis also has 3 RBIs and got a player out at 1st. Layla Ybarra-Harvey showed her softball skills with 3RBIs, a double and 2 outs at home with the assist of catcher Griffin Campbell.

Leprechaun's #10 Michaela Thomas at third base snags strong grounder and tosses to #9 Bailey Kobelin for the first out of the game. Canaries #14 Darcy Miller batted three times during the game and showed excellent skills on first base. Canaries Mollie Sequeira #2 has two hits and scored a run as well as playing first base with authority. During the second inning Leprechaun's #11 Erin Cain hits strong grounder to center field bringing in #14 Mia Rabin. Canaries #9 Sophia Anner has a great hit in the third inning and did an excellent job catching and fielding. Canaries Taegan Ballantine #1 has a solid hit in the third inning. Canaries Gillie Tillson #17 held off two runs as pitcher. During the bottom of the third inning roll with bases loaded #4 Julia Lippman has fine infield grounder bringing in # 3 Claire Kaneko.

True to their name, the Silver Bullets' speedy defense ran down several scoring opportunities by the other team. Silver Bullet Cecilia Rubens snagged two runners at second base. Firstbaseman Kaili Meier made two unassisted outs, and Lee Labov caught a pop fly to close out the second inning. Bullets Tati Jellinek, Mikaela Hammond Holland and Aida Baron contributed important hits. Not to be outdone, the Jellybeans answered back with the big bats of Sydnie Hersh, Bonnie Coulman and Graham Griffin. Defensive standouts were Jellybean pitcher Cara Chinn and third baseman Julia Sparer, who caught a lead runner. In the end, both teams had golden gloves and platinum sportsmanship.

Intermittent drizzle on Saturday afternoon couldn't douse the Fire Comets, who sparkled to a 5-2 victory over the Red Oak Rebels. Comet pitcher Carlin Hudson was in synch with her team, covering second base to tag out the Rebel runner. Rebel hitter Josephine Hass slammed a double, which encouraged teammate Sophia Emmons-Bell to make a dash for home, but Hudson's fast throw to catcher Nia Willis denied the Rebels a run in the first inning. In the second inning, Rebel first base Nicole Nordahl scooped up the Comet hit for a graceful out. But the Comet advance was slowed, not stopped, as Willis scored her team's first run. The action intensified with Comet Makayla Miller's hitting a double, then stealing third. Pitcher Imani Hiller-Bateau and catcher Kelly Barry made a valiant effort to keep the Comets from crossing home plate, but the Comets ended the inning with a formidable lead. In the top of the third, Rebel pitcher Emmons-Bell struck out two batters, but not before Comet Angel Gonzales had managed to steal third base. In the bottom of the third Emmons-Bell hit an electrifying double that she parlayed into the team's first run. Rebel Sierra Lee was right behind, stealing third and running home on Hiller-Bateau's hit. Although the Rebel rally came late in the game, it made for an exciting finish to this hard-fought match.

The Force batted first, with Izzy Lubin-Brown singling to left off the first pitch. Lubin-Brown took second and third on passed balls, then thrilled the Force fans sliding into home on a grounder from Katie Nordahl. The Diamonds exploited Force errors in the bottom of the first for four runs.

In the second, Jenna Brotsky reached first on an error, then alertly sprinted to second. The threat died though, despite a wicked line drive off the bat of Monica Wiemels. The Diamonds came back in the second with a triple and a single, but the Force defense held them to two runs, with Kate Moore making a nice catch in center.

The Force threatened, but did not score, in the third, with Lubin-Brown reaching third after a fine bunt by Camille Dyhr. The Diamonds picked up four more in the third.

In the fourth, Erica Shellem drew a walk, then Moore singled to center. Both scored off a line drive to left from Lubin-Brown. Moore pitched in the fourth, mowing down the Diamonds with three strikeouts.

Jillian Jenkins reached first in the fifth, and moved to second on a passed ball. Claire Shellem moved Jenkins to third on an expertly executed sac bunt before time was called.