Apples Shine in Season Opener
Cold temperatures no match for hot bats

Boston Globe:
Nashville, TN

With falling temperatures and a stiff north wind blowing, it seemed more like football season than softball season last night as the 2007 FreshPoint Apples opened their season with a crushing 28 - 7 win over the visiting Affion Angles at the Granny White Sports Complex in suburban Nashville.

The Apples scored in all but one inning in a game that was never in doubt. Led by game MVP James Roberts who batted in 7 runs including 4 on a 5th inning Grand Slam, the Apples hit the field running and have quickly established themselves as a team to be watched as the chase is now on for the World Coed Softball Championship.

A look at the official score book following the game said it all.. Every Apple in the lineup had multiple hits and scored a run.. Outfielders Tony Byram and John Jones each brought big bats to the game as the Apples put on a hitting clinic for the sold out crowd to enjoy. Not to be outdone, Patty Pender, Robin Meadows and Christi Copous each chipped with timely hits to keep rallies alive to help the Apples claim their first victory of the season.

Starting Pitcher Greg Swafford pitched a near flawless game to pick up the win for the Apples. Along with making several nice grabs to start double plays on defense, Swafford hit two towering shots to the deepest part of the stadium including one in the 6th inning to score Nate Harlan and Sarah Milam to end the Apples scoring for the night.

Defensively for the Apples last night it was the Brooke Byram and Keith Jenkins show. Byram, who is returning for another season as Catcher for the Apples was quick as a cat as she pounced on an early inning bunt and threw the runner out at first to end an early inning rally by the visiting team.. Then there was the play of Shortstop Keith Jenkins who made big play after big play including a spectacular diving over the shoulder grab that crushed the life out of the Apples opening game opponent and brought the capacity crowd to their feet.

The biggest cheer of the night was handed out in the first inning when ole # 5 Former Apple Great and Future Hall of Famer Don Bernitt trotted out of the Apple dugout to take over the duties of third base coach for the Apples. Bernitt was seen after the game icing his shoulder down following the evening that saw him wave in runner after runner. Bernitt was also involved in the biggest play of the night which went unseen by almost all on the field or in the stands.. It was confirmed by Umpires after the game that a keen eye by Bernitt pointed out that the visiting team had introduced an illegal ball into the game which gone unnoticed could have switched the balance of power away from the Apples. When asked what it was that made him question the ball in play, Bernitt responded by saying " this game is 50% physical and 90% mental, that's why we teach the kids to keep your EYE ON THE BALL. "

So it's 1 down and 9 to go for the Apples.. Where this ride will end is any ones guess but for now one thing can be said for sure............................. How bout them Apples !!