Dad Bods light up town league playoffs

Pickles fall in second round

Alex McCrindle Times Sports Editor

Team Pickles battled against 2022 reigning champions Dad Bods in a high-tension game on July 20 at Jorgensen Park. In the second round of the adult co-ed softball playoffs, both teams relied on defensive plays and accurate pitching. Despite a cagey first three innings, the teams began to gain confidence and bring players around the bases. The Dad Bods, wearing neon-splattered jersey’s, came out on top — winning 19-13.

The title-winning dreams of Team Pickles were not quenched, however. The playoffs are organized in a double- elimination format. This means the pickle crew will play again this week and continue its quest for co-ed softball glory. However, one more loss would force elimination.

On Thursday, Pickles opened the matchup with a string of hits and aggressive baserunning.

Dad Bods and their impressive arms relayed balls into the diamond, leading to close-calls at second base. The Bods’ offense opened with a flurry of base hits. With two runners on, Jack Anderson hit an RBI double to center field to take a 2-1 lead.

The Pickles fielded ground balls and tagged runners out, cutting the inning short.

The players felt a tangible stress in the Pickle dugout. Despite tying the game 2-2, the offense was unable to rally, and back-to-back groundouts brought the Dad Bods back to the plate.

In the fifth inning, both teams finally started to swing. The Bods’ hit a stand-up triple and RBI double to take a significant advantage. The score stood 13-5 as the dust settled.

Just as all hope seemed to be lost, the Pickles knocked in an inside-the-park home run and began to tack on runs late in the game. In the final inning, a resurgence of hot bats was not enough to overtake the lead, and the Pickles fell to the Dad Bod’s 19-13.

The co-ed playoffs will continue this week with the Dad Bod’s seeking back-to-back championships.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@ gunnisontimes.com.)

Gymnasts fly high at state

The Gunnison gymnastics squad competed at the state tournament on July 22 and 23 in Broomfield, Colorado. Head Coach Sam Denham said she was proud of the hard work and energy each of the athletes put into the season. Eliza Wickenhauser stole the show, finishing first on vault with a score of 7.5, first on floor with a 9.1 and third all-around. Tesla Weske stood second on the podium for her 9.125 scored floor performance, while Taylor Mattson finished second on vault with a score of 7.45. Penny Tidwell and Hattie Walker capped off the impressive team showing, with a second place finish on floor and third on beam.