DRESL had a direct line to the rain gods in its second week, which managed to stave off rain and lightening until just after the games ended. Before a great Lincoln Property Co-sponsored after-party, here’s what happened on the fields, where seven close games foreshadowed a very competitive regular season.

Field 1 – Retailers 6, Cresa 3: The Retailers bounced back from last week’s 22-3 drubbing at the hands of the Goo Goo Golubs with an unconvincing win over the rookie Cresa squad. They did show some grit in the last frame, which was capped off by captain Tom Fritz hitting a walk-off homer, scoring three and clinching the W. The Retailers are on a well-deserved break this week for ICSC.

Field 2 – JLL 7, DTZ 6: JLL prevailed in a real barnburner thanks to hitting stars Josh Vervack, Jason Trombley, and Honest Abe Mizrahi. Their D is still a work in progress, but they were able to make just enough plays this week to secure the win. Both teams are 1-1 and are expected to seriously compete for the Richie Commish/Lee Golub Championship Cup.

Field 3 – Cushman & Wakefield 7, JF McKinney 6: CW continues its top tier playing started two years ago under new chief Trevor Marticke, while JFM fell to earth a little after trouncing Klein’s last week in slaughter rule. Jack DiNardo put forth a solid defensive effort at new role, short center, where he looks to carry his “2013 DRESL Rookie of the Year” winning efforts into 2014.

Field 4 – MB Real Estate 8, Bradford Allen 4: Like the late Mickey Rooney, BA are always getting their butt kicked but keep picking themselves up off the floor. MB’s bats came alive in later innings, but defense and pitching were key to their victory. Ty Simpson was a rock at SS and Aaron Meyers showed off his cannon by making the game’s final out at 3B from left field.

Field 5 - Colliers 6, Klein’s Corporate 2: It was an auspicious night for the Cockeyed Cowboys of Colliers as they beat Klein’s for the first time since they entered the league 30 years ago. Colliers’ pitcher Zack Weiner pitched well and had terrific defense behind him. There were no excuses for Klein’s, but the addition of Marcellus Moore at short center is going to pay off down the line.

Field 6 – Golub 12, CTK Chicago Partners 11: A bitter defeat for CTK in this exciting contest. Larry Frank went long distance for Golub while Brandon Barry striped a triple on a hobbled ankle. The Goo Goos, while perennially strong, have not been particularly impressive and were lucky to beat last year’s number 11 seed. CTK will probably get better, but will the Dolls?

Field 7 – Eastdil 3, Transwestern 1: Eastdil squeaked by the annually rebuilding Transwesterns. Eastdil apparently has Tim Pettit swinging some heavy lumber as he launched two prodigious dingers. A nice way for Eastdil to enter the hallowed halls of DRESL, but it was against last year’s last seed. They will need more than Pettit to be competitive but congrats to the Dill Pickles!