Slow pitch softball games are typically high-scoring affairs. But when the Teamsters and Stingers did battle Tuesday evening at Driver Elementary School, an unforeseen enemy stared batters right in their eyes: the sun. Blaring above and through the trees in centerfield, the brightest star in the sky shined brighter than ever, blinding players as they swatted helplessly at the ball. Hampered by the brutal light, the Teamsters fell behind early on, and only a two-run rally after the sun went down allowed them to eke out at 4-3 victory.

The Lady Trucks got off to a fast start, as Melissa Whited and Jeannie Brinkley led off the first inning with singles. Brinkley was forced out on a fielder’s choice by Cheryl Gippe, but Whited managed to score on the play. A fielder’s choice by Angela Woldmoe resulted in Gippe’s being tagged out, but Tammara Edwards hammered a triple into left field to score Woldmoe for a 2-0 lead.

After that, however, the sun’s effects made Teamster pitcher Jennifer Kay and Stinger pitcher Kelly Buley look like Randy Johnson and Andy Pettitte. Kay sent the Stingers down in order in the first three innings, and Buley didn’t let the Teamsters get past second base again until the fifth.

In the bottom of the fourth, however, the Stingers’ bats came to life. With two outs, Buley blooped the team’s first single into left field. Inspired, Lori Outlaw knocked a pitch into left field, and Erica Murrell doubled to score Buley. Teresa Tritt scored Outlaw with a single to centerfield, and Lisa Beeson brought Murell in with a single of her own, giving the Stingers a 3-2 advantage.

It didn’t last. Kay herself singled to open the fifth, and Kim Bradshaw and Tracey Edwards loaded the bases. Delores Pope hit into a double play, but Kay scored to tie the score. Joanne Ligon then doubled into left field, and Bradshaw gave her team back the lead.

&uot;I just wanted to get home,&uot; said Bradshaw. &uot;This is the first time I’ve scored in so many games!&uot; After she scored, the game went back to a pitching duel, as the teams combined for only three hits during the last 2.5 innings.

Competition will begin at 7 p.m. at Driver Elementary today.