This Week's Comic

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No errors in a Senior League Game! No way! Pizza Port Brewery made zero errors in today’s game while Village Pie Shop only had 2 errors. Great pitching by PPB’s Russ Roopenian, who also had 3 hits and VPS, Pat Steele, who had 2 hits.

Leading hitters for PPB were Craig Wheatcroft 4/4 w/3 doubles & 3 RBIs, David Ward 4/5 w/a 3 run homer & 5 RBIs, John Symanski 2/3 w/a 3-run homer & 4 RBIs, super sub Jerry Galiley & Phil McCabe 3/4, Joel Kudren & Rich Lavacot added 2 hits & Rich Reynolds 2 RBIs.

Leaders for VPS were Jeff Peyton 3/3, Laurie Mills 3/4, Dan Smith 2/3. VPS thanks Kathy O’Neil for subbing.

Both teams thank Jack Schwarzel for great umpiring job.

“The essence of the game lies not in the outcome, but rather in the manner in which it is played- except when you lose.”

The showdown between That Pizza Place and Worden Williams certainly lived up to its billing as a Clash of the Titans, with the two teams battling fiercely until the very end. In a tense game that saw the lead change hands multiple times, it was ultimately the Dubs who emerged victorious with a narrow 12-11 win, breaking the deadlock in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The key difference-makers were the solid defense and clutch hitting displayed by Worden Williams, particularly in crucial two-out situations. Despite stellar outfield performances from both sides, it was a pivotal three-run homer by Bob Porter in the seventh inning, along with timely RBIs from Dan Griffin, including the game-winner in the eighth that ultimately tilted the scales in WW's favor. The lower half of WW's lineup once again proved instrumental in setting the stage for their top hitters.

Standout performances at the plate included Bob Porter's homer, along with notable contributions from Bob Loperena’s home run, Bob Buscher’s 4/4, David Hartzog’s 3/3, and Robert Tahimic’s 3/4.

On the pitching front, both teams saw strong outings from their hurlers, with Mike Endeman and the resilient Bob Baptista delivering top-notch performances, as reflected in the closely contested final score.

That Pizza Place was buoyed by the return of Gordon Recht from injury, who made an immediate impact with a stellar 3-for-4 performance, including a home run and four RBIs. Johnny Brand also made his mark on the game, going 3-for-4 and treating both teams to non-fat donuts in celebration of his birthday.

Welcome back to NCSS Ed Strong. After taking leave of the league when the 78 freeway disintegrated last year, Ed rejoined the league this week and with his first at bat slammed a 1 iron screamer over the centerfield fence at Calavera.  In all, Ed had a three hit day and helped the Hens of Hennessey’s overcome a furious late charge from the Nucci’s Nukes in a 19-16 victory.

The home team Hens started out quickly with three in the first inning, adding five more in the second, and five in the third to take a 13-6 lead over the purple Nukers. But the purple gang said, enough of that and plated four runs in the top half of the fourth reducing the Hens lead to 13-10.  All was quiet until the home half of the sixth when Hennessey’s pushed across five runs to open up an 18-10 lead. Safe lead you say.  Not quite.  The Nukes let loose in the eighth with four, cutting the lead to 18-14.  After a single run was managed by the Hens in the bottom half, Lil Keehan’s bunch went at it again in the ninth with multiple runners but was able to only push across two more before the final out was recorded.

For Nucci’s, the big bats were Al Castaneda and Robert Kroger with four hits each.  Kevin Davidge, Steve Berry and returnee Frank Weishaar added three hits with Frank playing a clean rover for the Nukers.  Welcome back Frank.

For the Hens, Dario Santana in the leadoff spot collected four hits and scored three runs. He also made a dazzling over the shoulder catch in centerfield.  Keith Richards and Dave Grull joined Ed Strong with three hits each.  Excellent defensive work was turned in by Joe Uribe, Steve Doan and Keith in the infield.

Both teams want to thank Jimmie Martin for interrupting his schedule to make the calls at home plate.

 Bye Teams:  The Draft

                       Gaspar

The score shown above is not a misprint but may be the lowest scoring game in the league this year. Pitching and solid defense carried the day for both teams. Rod Johnson for CBI and Rich Keefer of PG kept the hitters mostly in check and the defenses made great play after great play to keep the few base runners from scoring. This scorekeeper wishes he had marked down all the "hang a star" plays made during the game, but ones that come to mind were CBI shortstop Dan Hacker's basket catch over the head while running away from the infield and PG's Steve Wagner's running catch down the first base line for the final out of an inning when CBI had two men on base. Oscar Lara was pressed into duty at third base and made several outstanding stops and throws to cut down CBI runners.

CBI opened the game by shutting out PG in the top of the first inning and then put up two runs in the bottom half with RBI hits by Gene Smith and Dan Malchow. Little could anyone imagine that that would be the final scores for CBI, The Groupies finally put up a 3 spot in the fourth inning with Oscar Castillo's three run homer. Cathy McDonald drove in a run in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fielder's choice. Gary Soper returned from vacation and capped off a 4 for 4 day with a two out, two RBI single in the top of the ninth to put the game on ice. CBI had the top of their order up in the bottom half, but PG was able to shut them down for the final score of 6 to 2. 

There is not a lot of good hitting stats to share, but Oscar Castillo and Gary Soper were each 4 for 4 for PG. For CBI Rod Johnson was 3 for 4 and Bill Codner and newcomer Jimmy Smyth were each 2 for 3. Thanks to Steve Sexton and Leigh Peterson for subbing for CBI and PG respectively and to Greg Lorton for umping a fine game.