Championship games are supposed to come down to the last batter in the final inning.  This one did not disappoint the 2 fans in attendance on a chilly evening.  The Athletics were faced with the daunting task of beating the Orioles in two consecutive games.

Jason Lundree started the scoring with a 2-out solo home run in the top of the first.  The Orioles were ready to respond with 2 runners on and big Terry Emory heading to the plate.  Like many have seen before, Emory smashed a line shot down the first base line.  The only problem this time was that Brad Henson's foot was in the way (no time to react).  Henson was ruled out and forced to limp off the field.  The Athletics looked to build some momentum but went down quietly in the the second.  Highlighted by Andy Caldwell's RBI double, the Orioles were able to push across 2 runs to take their first lead of the game.

In the top of the third, the Athletics were ready to regain the lead but a nice 6-4-3 double play by the Orioles defense quickly shut down the rally.  The Athletics were visibly frustrated but things were about to get worse.  The Orioles managed to score 7 runs on RBI hits by 7 different players.  With the Athletics offense slumping, the game seemed to be all but over with the Orioles now leading 9-1 and the defense turning in another 6-4-3 double play to record the first two outs of the 4th inning.  In an effort to simply maintain some composure, Josh Whitener, Shane Leary, Nate Sedlack, and Marshall Accord each delivered singles allowing the Athletics to spark a desperate two-out rally.  The stage was now set for Coach Jeromy Whitener to get his team back in the game.

Jeromy has been playing the last few weeks with a bright yellow/green cast on his right hand (similar color to the game balls).  Believing is would be difficult to hit with a cast on, the Orioles right center fielder crept in a few steps to take away the bloop hit.  Jeromy proved one can hit with a cast on his right hand as he promptly lined a triple over the head of the Orioles "shallow" right center fielder.  The Athletics had cut the lead to four and were finally showing some signs of life as the Orioles bats fell asleep.

Still down by only four heading into the top of the 5th, the Athletics flexed their muscles.  Chris Walters was the first to strike when he hit a monster 2-out 2-run homer to cut the lead in half.  After Josh Whitener drew a walk, Shane Leary then sent the first pitch high over the fence for another 2-out 2-run homer tying the game at 9.  The Orioles were stunned and once again unable to score in their half of the 5th.  At this point, it felt like Game Two was inevitable.

The Orioles defense had been playing a spectacular game and looked ready to turn their third 6-4-3 double play of the game only to see the ball slip out of the shortstop's hand on the exchange.  Rather than shutting down the Athletics, the inning was still alive and 2 runs were put on the board.  It was the Athletics first lead (now 11-9) since the second inning.  The Orioles were still flustered and went down in order setting up a championship 7th inning.

The Athletics were hoping to add some insurance runs but were halted by Todd Horvath's diving catch on a short fly ball to center field.  Heading into the bottom of the 7th, the Orioles had the top of their lineup coming to bat trailing by 2 runs.  The 2 fans and the score keeper could feel the atmosphere intensify.  The Orioles were on a mission to avoid playing the second game.  Wasting no time, they quickly loaded the bases with 2 singles and a walk.  Now the Athletics defense had to face the 4-5-6 hitters in the lineup with the winning run on first base.  No small task, especially in slow-pitch men's softball.  Brad Henson (fully recovered from the first inning foot injury) was not thinking about tying the game with a single - he wanted more.  On his first swing, he lofted a high fly ball to deep center which appeared to have the distance to end the game with a walk-off grand slam.  However, the ball stayed in the park and was caught by the left center fielder.  All players advanced one base and then the Athletics decided to intentionally walk Terry Emory to once again load the bases (this time with one out and the winning run on second base).

This is the part of the story that is supposed to end on a dramatic play.  The Orioles were supposed to come up with a big hit or the Athletics were supposed to make an unbelievable game saving catch.  Unfortunately, this was not the case.  John Pugh hit a soft infield single to score the tying run but the Athletics defense threw the ball into to the outfield allowing the winning run to cross the plate.  The game was suddenly over without the exciting play.

Despite the lack of drama at the end, it was a well played game.  The Athletics showed a great deal of heart and fight by regaining the lead late in the game after trailing 9-1.  The Orioles showed why they were the number one seed in the playoffs and the best team in the league during the Fall 2008 season.