Parrotheads fans had plenty to cheer about Sunday as they watched their team overcome an early 6-3 deficit and turn into a solid 17-7 victory to reach .500.
Bob Cook went 3-5, knocked in six RBIs and scored two runs. Coach Justin Palmer pitched stellar relief through four innings and centerfielder Jason Claffey made some spectacular catches, one of which that resulted in a double play where Claffey doubled up the runner at first after tumbling with a snow cone in his glove was taken away by an errant umpire call.
The Parrotheads also featured some strong defense from other key players all over the infield and rattled Lavin Bros. players at every turn. Cook was king when he came up with the bases juiced on two ocassions and hit sharp singles to left field.
"I just felt really good at the plate and I knew I was hitting the ball well. The first two times I hit some shots right at the left fielder, but I knew I would eventually find some turf," said Cook, who started the game and pitched three innings before moving over the first base.
Palmer, who won his first game as a big league softball manager just two games into the season, was all smiles when it was over.
"I really like our team. We all rallied when we needed to and everybody played well. This is what we are capable of doing every time out. This is going to be a great season for us," said Palmer.
Claffey, who played on two lackluster Beacons teams the past two years, also basked in the glow of victory.
"It feels good to win, that's for sure," said the third-year outfielder who made a stupendous running catch in the gap right up against the center field fence in the fifth inning as he was running out of real estate.
"That drive had extra bases written all over it," said Cook. "But somehow I knew Claffman would catch up to it."
The Parrotheads next game is this Thursday at Goldstar Park against Collins Sports at 6 p.m.
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