Standings are posted after all scores have been received (in a timely manner)
Needing a win to ascend to 4th place and be playoff bound, The Draft shut down a 9th inning rally by Village Pie Shoppe to hang on for a 9-7 victory.
OF Bob Porter robbed the potential winning run on a very long fly ball to close out the win.
Both teams brought incredible defense to Alga 3, but no one more so than VPS's Rover Dario Santana, who turned double plays, snared line drives, and ran into left field to catch an over the shoulder pop up. He resembled a combined version of Gold Glove winners Ha-Seong Kim and Fernando Tatis, Jr.
Fortunately, Draft defenders learned from his defensive clinic, with Paul Thomas joining Bob Porter with exceptional outfield defense.
And Draft infielders Al Galaviz, Delta Farrington, Dale Miller, Dan Griffin and Rick Skidmore formed a flawless defensive infield. P Bob Baptista also turned in a couple of great plays.
Joe Dimambro led VPS with a 3-for-3 day, with Santana adding 3 base hits as did Dave Grull.
Every Draft batter notched at least one base hit, and it felt like Santana robbed each Draft batter of at least one more. Bob Porter, Dale Miller and the 2 Dans (Miserany and Griffin) all notched 3 base hits. And Porter led the way with 3 RBIs, with Miller and Griffin chipping in 2 RBIs apiece.
But the defense of each team truly stole the show!
PPB’s Brenda Lehman was feeling good enough to play today and was awesome pitching allowing Pat Steele 3/4 w/3 runs, to fill in magnificently for their normal missing shortstop. Super Sub Phil McCabe was 3/3 w/a run & 2 RBIs, top notch rover Roney Lewis was 4/4 w/2 runs & 2 RBIs, John McDaniels was 3/3, David Erwin was 3/4 w/3 runs, David Ward was 3/4 w/4 RBIs, Jerry Galiley 2/3, Jimmy Smyth had a run scoring single and many splendid defensive plays, Robert Kroger was brilliant at 1st base as always and had a run scoring double, Ruby Murphy & Donna Engleman each had an rbi. PPB’s outfield defense played perfectly as was their infield defense.
Stars for WW were Mark Riserbato with a homerun, Steve Berry pitched a great game with zero walks, defensive stars were Craig Wheatcroft, Skip Moyer, Jack Schwarzel, Michael Henderson, Brian Turner, Russell Roopenian, Brian Turner and Ron Silverman. Big thanks to Greg Lorton, who umpired a brilliant game after playing his earlier game and David Bentley, who umpired a few innings after umpiring another game.
Carlsbad Inn and the Plotkin Group entered the regular season finale both coming in with positive momentum. The Plotkin Group had won three of the last four, and even though their destiny for the playoffs was in the hands of others, they were still eager to play the spoiler role. Indeed, after a lackluster July and August where they spent much of the time in the cellar, they had turned it around to crawl up to sixth place. Carlsbad Inn had won their previous three games by a combined score of 54-11 with a strong offense overmatched by an even better defense. But in their previous matchups, Plotkin had won all three. So everyone knew that this had the potential for a real barnburner.
Despite their stellar defensive performance in the three previous games, CBI reverted back to their “no lead is safe” strategy. CBI scored 3 in the top of the first, but PG responded with 5. CBI tied it in the second and took a 10-6 lead in the third and then a 15-8 lead after four. PG rallied to cut the lead to 15-13 in the fifth. CBI score more than PG in the sixth to take a 20-15 lead, but PG tied it in the seventh. CBI scored 5 and PG 2 in the eighth for a 25-22 CBI lead. In the ninth inning both teams left runners on base and the final score stayed at 25-22.
Both teams had extraordinary offensive performances, as the score would suggest. David Hartzog, Oscar “Dawg” Castillo, and Larry Wadalavage were all 5 for 5 for PG. And not far behind were Rich Keefer, Marty Topper, and Rich Berkley were 4 for 5.
For CBI, Steve Doan, Rich Lavacot, and Greg Lorton were all 4 for 5. Everyone got at least two hits. Tom Carney, Steve Doan, and Rich Lavacot all homered. Tom would have had a sure second homer but was robbed in a spectacular running over-the-shoulder catch by Cathy McDonald in right-center field. CBI promptly reported the dastardly theft to the Carlsbad Police Department, and a “womanhunt” is underway.
So Plotkin takes the series three games to one, but Carlsbad Inn heads to the playoffs as the third-place team to take on Pizza Port. Pizza Port took all four games during the regular season, but fortunately, CBI has a terrible collective memory.
Thanks to Roney Lewis for umpiring.
"If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain." Steven Wright, comedian
The final week of the 28 game season ended for last place Gaspar with two wins in a row. Nucci's was hanging in to the end with hopes of making the last playoff slot, needing to win the last game of the season. Gaspar celebrated to end their season with a 26 to 16 win over Nucci's. Nucci's had their hopes dashed with missing the playoffs.
Nucci's throughout the season played tough and had many convincing wins against sharp playing teams. As the season progressed for team Nucci's, unfortunately Father Time ticked down the clock of good health to only sideline players when needed most to end their season. A "Thank you" to sub Dave Hempy to fill in as the 12th player for the game.
Dan Hacker 4/4, Tom Benacka 4/4, Oscar Lara 4/4, Joe Uribe 1 homerun and Lil legged out a triple while also pushing across 2 RBIs. Most of us could not take our eyes off of Lil while she was chugging around the bases all the way to 3rd. The question was, is she really running full tilt or was she going to tilt over? By the time the ball was relayed into the infield she was already standing on top of 3rd base, bent over drawing in deep breaths.
Gaspar's team batting for the game hovered close to .500 which also knocked in many RBIs. Dr. Bill Kutcher 5/5, Gene LaChimia (playing injured) 3/3 3 RBIs, Bill Mead 3/4 3 RBIs, Eugene Smith 3/5 4 RBIs, home runs from Gary McBride, Donato Domaguin. Dan Smith had an awesome day at the plate hitting 3 home runs and 7 RBIs. Adding to the curiosity of runners running the bases, "Mr. I did step on the bag," Steve Sexton had a triple.
A thank you and grateful appreciation to North County Senior Softball for commissioners, managers, volunteer umpires, family supporters and especially all the players who competed while sustaining the bonds of friendship.
Congratulations to Joe Paul and the entire Worden Williams team for completing season 2 of 2023 in first place of the standings. Now, on to the playoffs!
Championship Game on Thursday, November 30th at Alga followed by the End Of Year League Party at Pizza Port Brewery at Bressi Ranch.
Like Senior Softball !!
Heading into the final two games of the season Plotkin Group found themselves out of the playoff picture with nothing to play for except to play the spoiler role and finish on a winning streak. So far so good with PG beating DR in a tightly contested game that wasn't settled until the final out with PG holding on for a 12 to 11 win.
Great defense by both teams kept the scores in all innings but the final ones at three runs or less. Scores were never more than two runs apart until DR scored five runs in the top of the 7th inning to take an 11 to 8 lead. But that was the end of their scoring and PG busted through with four runs in the bottom of the 8th for the final score. For DR, Al Galavis made a couple outstanding catch and throw plays at shortstop. For PG, Cathy McDonald and Kathy O'Neal locked down the right side of the infield, Oscar Castillo did the same at shortstop and Larry Wadalavage made every play at 1st base.
Offensive highlights were few and far between, but for DR John Telles was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs and manager Delta had a home run and 3 RBIs. For PG Rich Berkeley and Cathy McDonald were each 3 for 3 and Oscar Castillo, Keith Richardson, and Larry Wadalavage were all 3 for 4. Leo McFall bombed a long two-run homer to right center in the 3rd inning, but the hero of the game was Larry with two homers and 4 RBIs in his last two at bats including the game winner in the 8th inning.
PG sadly has to say an early goodbye to one of our outstanding outfielders, Keith Richards. We will miss you for our last game.
Thanks to Rick Shaw for umping behind the plate and at the bases. Good job!
Editor’s Note – Charles Dickens rose from his tomb in Westminster Abbey to enjoy a senior softball game in sunny Carlsbad. He chose the Nucci’s vs. Carlsbad Inn game at Alga 3 and offered to do the game write-up.
A Tale of Two Games
For Nucci’s, it was the best of games, it was the worst of games. After snuffing a potential CBI rally in the top of the first, Nucci’s scored two to take a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately for them, they would only score two more runs in the next eight innings.
For Carlsbad Inn, it was the worst of games, it was the best of games. Okay, they were down 2-1 after one, but scored twice in the second to get a lead they would never relinquish, and outscoring Nucci’s 22-2 in the final eight innings. CBI hit the five-run limit in four innings, and only made one out in all of those innings. In the seventh inning, they only sent five batters to the plate, ending with a home run.
For Nucci’s, Dan Hacker went 3 for 4, driving in half of Nucci’s runs. Joe Uribe and Oscar Lara were both 2 for 3.
For Carlsbad Inn, this was a game of superlatives. CBI had a .766 batting average, by far the best of the season, and only hit into 13 outs for the game. Ten of their twelve players got three or four hits. Randy Agadoni was 4 for 4, all doubles. Jeff Jacobs was also 4 for 4, and perennial singles hitter Greg Lorton was 4 for 4 with a double – his first extra base hit of the year. Tom Carney was 3 for 3 with a home run and also a sacrifice fly. Steve Doan was 3 for 3 plus a walk. Al Castaneda was 4 for 5 with a home run. Rich Lavacot, Ken Thompson, Martin Wai, and Nanci Watt were all 3 for 4, with Ken hitting a home run.
Carlsbad Inn and Nucci’s entered the game battling for third with CBI holding a tenuous one-game lead. Today’s game locked CBI into third place, and the teams split the season at two wins each. Now the focus turns to the final playoff spot. Nucci’s is one game ahead of the Draft with one game to go. If Nucci’s wins their final game (against Gaspar) or The Draft loses (against Village Pie Shoppe), then Nucci’s clinches fourth place and the playoff spot. If Nucci’s loses and The Draft wins, the teams end up tied, but The Draft wins the tiebreaker (2-1-1 against Nucci’s).
Oh my, what a game! Gaspar 17, Pizza Port 16.
Pizza Port (PPB) and Gaspar, two teams with completely opposite win-lose columns records, locked horns in the final week of the season. PPB entered with 21 wins, 4 loses and 1 tie while in second place in league standings. Gaspar anchored last place with only 5 wins, 20 loses and 1 tie. Each manager had an earnest mission to improve their win column number with only two games remaining in the season. With the final out of the game, Gaspar squeaked by with their 6th win. It was close as the final score was Gaspar 17 to Pizza Port 16.
Both teams had individual players that contributed to keep the game close. Pizza Port had nifty, solid defense from Jimmy Smyth. Jimmy put on a clinic with numerous textbook scoops at 3rd base with line drive, flagged down shots to low bouncers. His play ranged from throwing runners out at first to preventing runs from advancing. A tip of the hat to Jimmy.
On the other side, Gaspar has a new secret weapon with a recently drafted player...Frankie Burns. In only her second league game of the season, she pitched as though she had a scouting report and game plan against the opposing batter. She confidently displayed a command of rhythm, location and ability to turn around near walks into getting the ball into play. Just a note to managers of next season, Frankie is a keeper. Both Jimmy and Frankie did their best to keep the game close.
Pizza Port throughout the season has had consistent, robust hitters that have no problem getting on base and bringing in runners to score. Phil Heinz went 3/3, Dennis O'Hearn was 4/4, Roney, Lewis, David Ward, and Jimmy Smyth 3/4 . Jerry Gaililey was also 3/4 with 2 doubles capped off with 4 RBIs.
Gaspar launched 3 home runs. Bocai was the mood setter with 1 dinger along with 4 RBIs, Dave Buck scrambled around the bases for another home run and had 3 RBIs, while Dan Smith had a long bomb homer (his 450th of the season).
Bill Kutchera and Eugene Smith went 4/5, Steve Sexton, Donato, Dave Buck and Gene LaChimia went 3/4. The remaining players had at least 2 hits each.
With a couple of other teams on the bubble to make it into the 4 team championship games, Gaspar seems to be the spoiler with determining the destiny of those teams.
Both teams thank David Bentley for umpiring with his gardening hat.
Village Pie Shop
Worden Williams
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