Scores

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Another gorgeous SoCal morning at Pine Field today with Plotkin Group taking on Nucci’s.

The ageless wonder Dave Erwine got PG started by speeding around the bases for a HR followed an inning later by Dennis O’Hern doing his Haka dance after a blast to center field for another HR. But despite the entire lineup chipping in with multiple hits, PG could never quite get a big inning going.

Nucci’s pitching combo of Dave Suhr and flamethrower Steve Sexton were superb, holding the score to single digits as the Nucci’s batters went on the attack. Randy Baird had a HR and 5 RBIs and Delta Farrington had a HR and 3 RBI to help Nucci’s take the lead.  Not to be outdone, Rick Skidmore hit one through to the other field 800 feet away and was able to turtle out a double before giving the universal “Uncle” sign to the base coaches and settling in at second.

Subs Pat Driscoll and Mike Berry tossed in 5 hits and Joni Wallman filled the stat sheet with a single, catching her 2nd foul tip in two games and registering a putout with a nice catch at the plate. Bob Porter will not get any mention of his fine catch at first until he runs out a base hit this year.  So it didn’t happen today.

For PG Mike Brower, Mark Riserbati, and newcomer Joseph Levitch all went 3 for 4 with Brian Turner making a nice running grab on a shot to left center.

Hello softball faithful…

A slice of apple pie without vanilla ice cream is nice, but it’s not quite as sweet.  A slice of Village Pie is also nice, but not quite as sweet without the incessant wise cracks from our friend Joe Raffa.  It sure was quiet out there!  Missed you Joe! 😊  The weather report at Alga Park was warm to hot, but unfortunately the Draft and Village Pie bats did not get the memo for the first 2 ½ innings.  The Drafters failed to produce a run for the first three and the Village People (senior version) were held to one run in the first two before breaking out for four in the bottom of the third. Much of the low scoring was because of good defense and pitchers Bill Mead and Jimmie Martin putting more spin on their balls than anyone recently named in the Epstein files.  The Draft bats were finally awakened and they put up a five spot in the top of the fourth.  The game went back and forth into the 8th at which point VPS held the slimmest of leads at 7-6.  The Geritol finally kicked in for the Drafters in the 8th when they posted a five spot and added 2 in the 9th.  The defense held and the final was 13-7. 

The Draft were led by Rich Keefer (3/4), Leigh Peterson (3/5 and a walk), and Robert Tahemic and Phil Kay who were each 2/3 with a walk.  Several other players were 2/4. 

For Village Pie, the highlight was Sheree Parsons monster triple to the left field wall. Dario Santana and Oscar Castillo really flashed the leather with some fine defensive plays.

Both teams would like to thank the honorable Rick Shaw for umpiring an excellent game. 

 Put me in coach, I’m ready to play today - CCR 

How do you spell human highlight defensive reel? Here’s how: P-A-T   S-T-E-E-L-E.  From his position at Rover, Pat used backhand and forehand stabs to snag screaming line drives off the bats of the Carlsbad Police Officers Association in a display of defensive prowess not usually seen in a senior softball game. The result, among other web gems by both teams, led to a 16 – 8 victory for Worden Williams in its opening day ballgame. 

By the time the last out was recorded  - by cutting down a CPA runner trying to stretch a triple into a home run - the scoreboard showed that the Dubs had allowed the Police two runs in the first seven innings before CPA scored six runs in the eighth and ninth innings. 

This was by no means a runaway ball game. And paraphrasing an old TV ad, “both teams scored runs the old fashioned way, they earned them.” No cheapies here. Defensively, the Dubs outfield - Uribe, Goertzen, Spoden, Loperena and Silva showed no dents in their armor by keeping CPA’s power hitters off the bases. The infield was equally up to the task. Worth mentioning was the discovery by both teams, of players who are not normally seen in defensive positions. For CPA, it was Greg Lorton in left field and for WW, Dan Akers at first base. Both performed flawlessly at both positions. 

On the offensive side for the Dubs, Buscher, Goertzen and Steele were all perfect at the plate, with Loperena and Uribe contributing seven RBIs between them. A shout out to the lower half of the Dubs order that kept the line moving late in the game and contributed much needed insurance runs.

For CPA, Kevin Davidge and Greg Lorton were both 3 for 3 while Jerry Smith contributed a home run and Karen Smith went 2 for 3.

Overall, a well-played game by both teams

 PPB outfield fielders were snagging fly balls right, left and center for a total of 10 put outs and their infielders were gobbling up ground balls holding CBI to 4 runs during 8 innings of the game and their pitching was outstanding by Ken Thompson along with their hitting as they scored at least one run in every inning.

Leading hitters for PPB were Roney Lewis 4/4, Tom Carney 4/4 w/a 3-run homer, Andy Balas 4/4 w/a double, triple & 5 RBIs, Super Sub Bill Ginty 4/4 w/2 RBIs, Mike Gallagher 3/4, Cord Cameron, David Frantz, Mark Pedote and Frank Weishaar each had 2 hits.

Leading hitters for CBI were Dan Griffin 3/3, Rich Lavacot, John Symanski, Anthony Reynoso and Mike Wallman all were 2/3. Gary Soper pitched well for CBI.

Both Coaches thank all the players for having great sportsmanship on and off the field. 

Bye: That Pizza Place