Tale of Two Seasons

Bridge H2O Today
By: Stevie Miller

Fifth time a charm? Bridgewater finds themselves in there fifth, yes fifth, championship series in the EHCC. It was a long and strange road to get to this point, much different than the prior year.


In the 2008 season, the Weasels dominated out of the gate, not losing a series until week 19 against Peoria. They ended up 16-3-3 that season and clinched a number one seed, first round bye in the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Weasels took down their Rakeville rivals and found themselves in the championship where they would go on and get demolished by the unstoppable Doggs. Another year, another loss in the championships.

Bridgewater’s supremacy in 2008 was long forgotten when the 09 season started. The Weasels looked like an old weak team from the get go. In the first half of the season, they went 4-6-1 getting blown out in the losses and barley sliding by in the wins. Injuries were a big part of it, but it just didn’t seem like the team had their pizzazz anymore. It seemed that the Weasels were going to miss out on the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. “It was embarrassing how we were playing, I was about to fake an injury just so I wouldn’t have to deal with this crap anymore” said Jimmy Rollins.

Owner Nastra Diggus didn’t think so highly of the team as well. Coming upon the approaching trade deadline, Diggus had some ideas and was thinking of blowing up the team. “I was thinking for the future, I didn’t think we were going to go anywhere this year and we were getting old, so I was thinking young” Diggus said. Bridgewater, which most of the core players have been together for awhile now, thought about cleaning house much like Rakeville did.

When the second half of the season started Bridgewater started looking at some younger players to trade for. That wasn’t the only thing they were doing though, they were also winning. In the first 3 games of the second half, Bridgewater won 7-3, 7-3, 9-0. There was hope again and the trade talks turned to whispers. The next week though QC came through and knocked the Weasels back down (lost 3-7) and brought the blowing up the team conversation back in. In week 16, the Weasels were on the outside looking in at the playoffs and had the trade deadline looming. “I really thought I was going to dismantle this team and start fresh, something we’re not accustomed to here” said Diggus.

By the end of the week the decision had to be made, and the team made if for Diggus. By the deadline the Weasels were crushing Weymouth and had a great shot at making the playoffs. Diggus decided he would make a run at the playoffs instead. And they did, not losing a single series from there on out and ended up going 8-1-2 in the second half of the season, scoring 7 points or more in those 8 wins. Not only did they get into the playoffs, they got the 5^th seed and almost snagged a bye for the eastern conference. “This team is filled with professionals who never give up, especially if you back is against the wall. I was just glad the rest of my team finally stepped up like I’ve been doing all year” said Weasels pitcher Chris Carpenter.

Last year the Weasels cruised into the playoffs without lifting a finger, in 2009 they had to claw and scratch their way in, with both stories ending the same way….championship series. The Weasels hope this years story turns out a little bit better than last years.