Scores

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CPA Outlasts First Place PPB in a Defensive Duel, 12-10!

A well rounded, winning team can bring out the best in its competition. Sometimes, all it takes is a little motivation to make the underdog dig deeper and play harder. That was the story today as third place CPA used first place PPB as its inspiration to pull off a 12-10 victory. Apparently, CPA decided it was time to remind everyone that the standings are just numbers!

Unlike some of our more entertaining slugfests, today's game had all the excitement of watching paint dry on a hot afternoon. Both teams managed to score just five runs in a single inning, making this a relatively low scoring affair. Whether it was the unseasonably hot weather, missing key players, or everyone trying to finish in time for the next episode of Judge Judy, the offensive fireworks were definitely on a budget.

Pitching and defense took center stage. PPB collected 24 hits, including three triples and two doubles, plus a walk. Andy Balas was the hitting machine of the day, going a perfect 4 for 4. He was the only player between both teams to do so. CPA's Steve Berry kept hitters guessing by changing pitch heights throughout the game, producing plenty of flyouts and groundouts. He also delivered a clutch defensive play, snagging a hard hit ball up the middle, pivoting, and throwing out the runner at first. Not bad for a guy who was supposed to be pitching!

Jack Shwarzel brought his competitive pitching spirit for PPB, nibbling at the edges of the plate and forcing CPA hitters to protect the strike zone. He even recorded a rare looking strikeout by mastering the minimum height limit. Who knew that big, bright yellow softball could be so intimidating?

CPA countered with 20 hits, two home runs (Craig Wheatcroft and Robert Liles), the remainder of the team had four triples, two doubles, and four walks.

Defensively, Erin Spoden stole the show for PPB with two outstanding catches in left field. Her first was a spectacular spatula catch on a low liner, scooping it just below her knees. The second was a Tatis like effort, racing toward the outfield corner to prevent extra runs. Hats off to Erin!

CPA had its defensive gems, too. Raising the defensive bar, Craig Wheatcroft made a terrific backhand stop at shortstop in the first inning, while Keith Richards fired a scrambling quarterback style throw across his body from the outfield to nail an advancing runner at second.

All in all, it wasn't a game for the highlight reel offensive crowd, but the defense certainly earned its applause. Congratulations to CPA for taking down the league leaders, and thanks to substitute Dennis O'Hern and Al Cabacungan for handling the umpiring duties.

Final score: CPA 12, PPB 10. Sometimes, less scoring means more sweating!

Let's see what happens to other underdog teams with only a few remaining games left in the season.

Once again, the Shoppers gave the Groupies all they could handle in the third close game between this second-place team and the one at the bottom of the standings. VPS took an early lead in the first inning, but PG came back and maintained a one or two run lead through the first six innings. The bottom half of the PG lineup starting with Rick Skidmore, Phil Kay, and Rod Johnson all got hits and scored in this seventh inning. Jerry Galiley and Ruby Murphy each drove in runs to give PG a 12 to 9 lead that VPS couldn't overcome with the final score being 14 - 11 in favor of PG.

Both teams scored in six of the innings, but good defenses on both sides kept the scores low with only one half inning had as many as four runs. Everyone on VPS had at least one hit and all but one on PG had a hit. For VPS Dario Santana, Paul Pullin and Robert Kroger led the team with 3 for 4 days and Paul, Robert and Kevin Lynch each drove in two runs.

For PG, leadoff hitter Pat Driscoll was 4 for 4 with two runs and one RBI. Kevin Davidge, Jerry Smith, Mike Carey, Cathy McDonald, Rod Johnson and Jerry Galilley were each 3 for 4 including a bases loaded double by Mike in the pivotal sixth inning. This was only the second game all season that PG was able to play all fourteen players and their full-time scorekeeper even chipped in two barely greenie singles.

 Host GA (2.5 games out of 4th) took on TPP (0.5 games out of 4th) on this beautiful fall day at Pine Park. 

Scoreboard:
GA

0 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 3 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 2 = 9
TPP
5 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 5 - 3 - 5 - 5 - /  = 24

TPP's bats were lively early, and 5 runs crossed the home base line with no outs. GA clawed back and kept it close through 4 innings, 6-3, but then the Pizza Phlippers outscored the Docs 18-6 the rest of the way. 

Leading at the plate for GA was ... suspenseful pause ... Randy Baird (4/4, 2 RBIs), followed by Gordon Recht (3/4, 3 RBIs), David Hertzog and Mark Prior (2 RBIs) (both 3/5), and Gene LaChimia (2/4). Bill Rubin was 1/1 but pulled a quad muscle beating out a hit and missed the rest of the game. Best wishes to Bill for a speedy recovery. 

TTP's top six in the lineup went 23/28 (0.821). Saul Gelbart (4 RBIs), Bob Tompkins (3 RBIs), super-sub Bob Loperena (2 RBIs), and Roney Lewis (2 RBIs) all went 4/5. Dale Miller (2 RBIs) and super-sub Joel Kudren were 4/4. Chipping in were Ed Silva (2/3, RBI), and Bill Mead (2/4, 2 RBIs).  

Defensive kudos go to the TPP infield for some smooth and timely double plays, and to Bob Loperena and Randy Baird for some excellent running catches. Pitching complete games were Jimmie Martin for GA and Mike Berry for TPP. 

TPP thanks Bob Loperena and Joel Kudren for subbing, and GA thanks TPP for loaning two defensive players for the game. 

Both teams thank Jimmy Smyth for a nice job umpiring.  Excellent sportsmanship all around. 

 In a seesaw, late season battle on the Elysian Fields of Calavera, Carlsbad Inn managed to win a close game with a final score of 22 - 20 against the Draft.  There were many bad hops, mishit balls that found the green, some good defensive plays and even a no-doubt homer over the fence by newcomer Greg Dehart.  The Draft held the largest lead, 9-5, after two innings.  After that, the two teams traded blows despite the best efforts of both pitchers - Margo Jacobi for the Draft, and Bob Baptista for CBI.  

CBI hit well as a team, led by Frank Weishaar (3/5), Larry Wadalavage (3/5), Randy Agadoni (4/5, 4 RBIs), Dan Smith (4/5, 3 RBIs - welcome back, Dan!), everybody's favorite sub Greg Dehart (4/5, HR, 6 RBIs), Jack Karson (a perfect 5/5), Nanci Watt (3/5, 4 RBIs), Ron Bondshu (3/5), and finally the inimitable Barb Pardo (3/4, all clean hits).  CBI thanks Greg for subbing today.

The Draft's highlights will be added as they come in, but I know Bobby Porter went 4/5 and scored a bunch of runs.

Both teams thank Kevin McBarron for calling a fine game behind home plate in his big hat.

Bye: Nucci's

         Worden Williams