Scores

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What a game! Drama ... suspense ... strategy ... an extra inning ... a bit of everything. The #1 seed Dubs hosted the #4 seed Cops in an epic battle for the right to proceed to the 2025-2 Championship game. 

The Cops took first blood with 2 in the bottom of the 1st including a leadoff homer by David Hartzog; but the Dubs said 'we'll see your 2 and raise you 3 more.' From there CPA kept up the pressure, scoring in all but 2 of the remaining innings. The Dubs kept counterpunching, however, highlighted by 4 in the 6th and 5 in the 8th to tie the contest at 18-18. The 'unlimited runs' 9th was a nail biter, with both defenses
holding strong and yielding only 1 run each. On to the 10th, another unlimited runs inning! The cops sent 7 hitters to the plate, scoring 3, and then held the Dubs in the bottom half to secure the win. Whew!

The Dubs had contributions at the plate throughout their lineup, led by Bob Buscher (4/4, 3 RBIs), Carlos Cevallos (4/4, 2 RBIs), Leigh Peterson (3/4, 4 RBIs), Gary Fischer (3/4, RBI), Ken Auerbach (3/4, RBI), and
Bob Loperena (3 run HR). 

Leading the way for the Cops was Dave Hartzog (4/5, HR, 4 RBIs), Craig Wheatcroft (5/5, 2 RBIs), Jeff Van Siclen (4/5, 3 RBIs), John Symanski (4/5, 3 RBIs), Al (Beep Beep) Castaneda (4/5, including an inside-the-infield (new record?) HR, 4 RBIs), Mike Berry (3/5, 2 RBIs), and Nanci Watt (3/4, RBI). 

Under the intense 😵‍💫 pressure, both defenses bent more than they would have liked, but also flashed some nice leather. Key double plays helped to stunt rallies, and many nice catches in the outfield. Pitching 

was excellent with Mike Endeman and Bob Buscher sharing the mound for the Dubs, and Rod Johnson (zero walks) going the full 10 innings for the Cops. It was great to see Mike back on the field. 

A big thank-you goes out to umpires Rick Shaw (plate), Roney Lewis and Steve Sexton (bases) for an excellent job. 

The playoffs for 2025 Season 2 are finally here!  Good weather, dry fields and two hungry teams faced off to battle it out for the chance to move on to the championship game.  

Gaspar led off the top of the first with a single run while Carlsbad Inn answered with 2.  CBI scored 8 more runs over the next 2 innings to bring the score to 10-2 after 3. Both teams went into a drought for the next 3 innings with the score sitting at 10-3 after 6.  Gaspar pushed 3 more across in the top of the 7th and CBI answered with 4 of their own.  On to the ninth inning with the Innkeepers leading 14 to 6.  Gaspar rallied for 4 runs with no outs and the bases filling up.  Finally CBI was able to get a couple of more outs to close out the game 14 - 10.  They will now move on to face the Carlsbad Police Association on Thursday.

Gaspar's hitting was led by 4 for 4 games from Oscar Delgado and Jeff Schneider, and 3 for 4 hitting from Gene LaChimia and Tom Winterbourne.  Jeff was snagging every ball around him at short and Russ Roopenian kept the CBI hitters off balance with his fine pitching. 

Everyone on CBI got at least one hit in this game.  CBI was led by Randy Baird who went 3 for 3 including a towering shot off the left field fence for a triple.  The other key hit was Rich Reynolds hammering a fly ball to deep center field for an easy trot around the bases 3 run home run.  Other highlights include 2 hit days for Jonny Brand, Randy Agadoni, Larry Wadalavage and Tony Trifiletti.

Many thanks to the fine umpire crew:  Al Cabacungan behind the plate, Jack Schwarzel and Greg Lorton on the bases.