Scores

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With TPP holding a 0.4 percentage point lead over PG for 6th place, this was a battle from the beginning for sole possession of 6th. The Groupies put up three runs in the top of the first, followed by TPP responding for two runs. Neither team scored in the 2nd inning, which was the only scoreless inning until the 8th. TPP took the lead in the 3rd inning with a five-run burst, but PG responded with five of their own to regain the lead. PG had two more five-run innings plus a two-run inning while holding TPP to only six runs from the 4th to the 8th innings. PG took a 23 to 13 lead into the final inning and TPP put a scare into the Groupies by scoring five runs, but PG managed to hold them to that for the final score of 23 to 13.

Obviously, there were many hitting stars on both sides, For TPP Jeff Van Siclen led the way with a 5 for 5, one home run and seven RBIs effort. Manager Dan Smith was 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs and Al Castaneda and Larry Weinberger were each 4 for 5. Rich Reynold, Gary Soper and Tom Winterbourne each chipped in three hits.

PG accomplished something that is seldom seen in our league. Not only did all 11 players on the roster get a hit, but they all scored at least one run contributing to a total team effort. Leadoff hitter Rich Keefer was 5 for 5 with four runs scored and three RBIs. Keith Richards and Dennis O'Hern were each 5 for 5 with four and three RBIs respectively. PG really thanks our two substitute players, David Bosque and Dave Erwine, who each went 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs, including Dave Erwine's two run homer. Bill Ginty and Cathy McDonald each homered and knocked in four and three runs respectively. Dan Griffin and Oscar Lara each had four hits. That all contributed to a team On-Base Rate of .722.

On a beautiful Spring morning that hinted of summer weather around the corner, the Carlsbad Cops hosted The Draft Dodgers on Alga 2. 

The Dodgers started fast with a 5-spot in the 1st, and then it was feast or famine the rest of the game, scoring every other inning. The Cops fought back with 1 in the 2nd and 2 in the 4th to bring the game to 9-3, and rallied with 4 more in the 8th; but even with the 'Flip' it wasn't quite enough today.  

The CPA attack was led by Bob Loperena (3/4, triple, 2 RBIs), Dan Miserany (3/4, RBI), and Donato Domaguin (3/4, RBI). The Draft hitters were spearheaded by Bob Tompkins (4/4, 5 RBIs), Gene LaChimia (4/4), Jeff Payton (3/3, 5 RBIs), and Jeff Schneider (3/3, 2 RBIs). Going 3/4 were Steve Doan, Dale Miller (3 RBIs), Kirsten Mildbrandt (RBI), and Steve Newburg (RBI). 

Defense was steady for both squads. There were some nice double plays, including the Cops nailing Dodger runners at both 3rd and home after a perfectly placed greenie by Jerry Nuanez, and some nice running catches in the outfield including a beauty by Dale Miller racing in from center. 

Pete Zavala for CPA and Margo Jacobo for DR both pitched well. Pete and Dodger Kevin McBarron had an epic battle, each getting the best of each other twice. Kevin was heard muttering in the dugout after his 2nd and 3rd at-bats, but touched 'em all in his 1st and 4th chances. 

Straight up contest today ... no subs! 

Mark this day down in history; Village Pie Shop won a game. And what a game it was for VPS. 

While the OBP of .600 doesn’t scream slugfest, the VPS bats were very effective today as was their defense; good defense against WW was a key factor towards the game’s outcome.  Not be ignored, some good defense from WW including some fine plays by Bob “don’t hit it to the shortstop” Buscher and consistent pitching by Mike Endeman moved the game along.  

After WW posted runs of 1, 2, 1 in earlier innings, going into a flipped bottom of the 8th inning, WW threatened by posting 2 more runs but VPS was able to put the brakes on the attempted assault/come-back. 

At the plate for WW, Bob Buscher hit 4/4 and crossed the scoring line 4 times.  Tom Benaka also hit 4/4 and posted 4 RBI’s.  

VPS was able to post five runs in innings 1, 3 and 8.  For the Pie Shop, Jerry Smith hit 3/4.  Nanci Watt hit 3/3.  Teddy Badillo’s back….. hitting 4/4 with a home run.  Rick Shaw hit 3/4 including two home runs and brought in a total of 7 RBI’s.  And Pat Driscoll would have had a home run in the first inning but had to stop at 2nd base as the fifth run crossed the scoring line ahead of him to end the inning. 

 In a highly anticipated matchup, the Carlsbad Innsolents hosted the Nucci’s Lingweenies at beautiful Calavera Hills Community Park.  The game matched up the two league leaders, although Nucci’s came in with a game and a half lead in the win-loss category.  The game also represented the rubber match, since each team had beaten the other by eleven runs in the two previous matchups.  And Carlsbad Inn was joyfully celebrating their final game of the season at Calavera.

The visiting Lingweenies jumped out of the box early, but the Innsolents were able to stanch the bleeding and hold the Lingweenies to two runs.  The Innsolents returned the favor scoring four in the bottom of the first, but the Lingweenies were able to snuff the fifth run on a deadly throw to home.  CBI would never relinquish the lead, but as is their modus operandi, they kept the game close until late.

After four innings, the score was 9-6 CBI, and the Innsolents were able to hold the Lingweenies scoreless for the next four innings while slowly adding a run here and there to take a 15-6 lead into the ninth inning.  Nucci’s mounted a comeback and scored three runs with one out before CBI turned a double play to end the game.

Both teams came in short-handed, with Roney Lewis and Paul Thomas subbing for Nucci’s, and Pat Steele for CBI.  Paul was one of three players going 4 for 4 for Nucci’s, along with Kevin Davidge and Laurie Mills.  Laurie hit the Lingweenies’ only home run.

Kevin Lynch and Mark Remas led the Innsolents in hitting by going 4 for 4.  Kevin had CBIs only home run, but oddly kept it inside the park this time, mostly through aggressive, ignore-the-coach baserunning.  Randy Agadoni, Lou Chartz, Joe Uribe, and Walt Webber all went 3 for 4.

Lil Keehan and Jimmie Martin battled on the mound with nary a walk throughout the game.

With the win, CBI takes the series and closes to within half a game of Nucci’s in the win-loss columns, while oddly enough jumping ahead of them in terms of winning percentage (77.5% to 76.1%).

Thanks to Bob Baptista for quelling a chippy first inning that quickly returned to a “hey, it’s only softball” game for the next eight innings.  And thanks to Paul, Roney, and Pat for solid contributions as subs. 

Bye: Pizza Port Brewery

         Gaspar