Scores: 2025s2 Week 3

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The Gasparites came into today's with the Pizza Porters scared: Gaspar was missing its best hitter, its starting pitcher, and the fastest player on the team. Gaspar had blown a winnable game on Tuesday and PPB was undefeated. But great defense and a solid all around offense [every Gasparite had at least 2 hits and at least one RBI--except Tommy Winterbourne, who had to leave mid-game because of an injury] led to a 21-9 Gaspar victory. 

PPB's hitting was led by Rich Lavacot, who went 4 for 4, and 3 for 4 from Leo McFall, Marty Topper, and David Shinn. 

Gaspar's hitting was led by 4 for 4 games from Oscar Delgado and Tom Redmond, and homers from Oscar and Jeff Schneider, who also played an outstanding game at short. 

Thanks all around: PPB thanks David Erwine and David Hartzog for subbing. Gaspar thanks PPB Manager Mark Lehman for lending Gaspar a 2nd baseman after Tommy was injured mid-game. And both teams thank Dennis O'Hern and Donota Domaquin for umpiring a difficult game with a fair number of disputes. 

“Look I understand too little too late. I realize there are things you say and do you can never take back. But what would you be if you didn't even try. You have to try. So after a lot of thought, I'd like to reconsider. Please If it's not too late, ….. make it a cheeseburger! 

Who said small ball is dead? Certainly not the Padres or Worden Williams. The major difference between the two is that the Dubs are winning and the Padres ain’t. Making the most out of its 31 hits in a 19 - 6 win over Carlsbad Inn, the scorebook showed that WW scratched out all singles except for five extra base hits (4 doubles and 1 triple). Mix in a patchwork defense with guys stepping into unfamiliar spots, and the formula worked to perfection.

While the top of the batting order lit up the scoreboard, it was the lower half that kept the line moving. Plate perfections at the top were achieved by the two Bobs, Buscher and Loperena, both 5/5 and by Lloyd Thorne 4/4 in the lower half.

On defense, Dan Griffin slid over from his usual second base position to Rover and looked like a natural. Filling in at second was Thorne, who was solid. Thorne held down second with steady play, while Buscher was the glue at short, flawless once again. The outfield, with Gary Conway moving over from catcher to centerfield, was as stingy as ever.

Although CBI continues to struggle offensively, they are a team not to be taken lightly. Home runs by Jerry Smith and Cord Cameron, a 3/3 day for Dan Smith and 2/3 plate appearances by Larry Wadalavage, Smith and Dennis Kemp were bright spots on offense. Special props to Dennis Kemp who took a shot off his chest to knock down a hard hit ball and beat the runner to first for the out.

Finally, a tip of the cap to the Petersons—Leigh on the IL behind the plate, and Christine steady as ever on the scorebook—on another scorcher in Carlsbad.

After both teams posted zeroes in frames 1 and 2, CPA hitters finally got things moving in the 3rd through 5th to go up 10-0. The Draft Dodgers answered with 4 in their half of the 5th to close it to 10-4; but could only push one more run across while CPA tacked on 6 more to get to the 16-5 final. 

Rich Keefer for The Draft and Rod Johnson both pitched excellent no-walk games; in fact it's possible no hitter reached a 3-ball count! The great pitching on both sides was backed by some stellar defense, including a nifty CPA double play turned by Margo Jacobo, Delta Farrington, and Steve Sexton. CPA also turned in a few smooth double plays, and both teams made some impressive line drive grabs.

The Draft hitters were led by Mark Prior, Rich Keefer, and Delta Farrington, all going 2/3.  (RBIs not reported prior to the editing deadline). 

CPA's attack with steady up and down the lineup: Jeff Van Siclen (3/4, HR, 4 RBIs), John Symanski (3/4, HR, RBI), Jimmie Smyth (2/3, HR, 4 RBIs), and Mike Berry (3/3, RBI).

 In an early season matchup of teams vying for a top-four playoff spot, the Nucci’s Meatballs hosted the Village Pie Shoppe Muffins at Calavera 2.  Philip Urbina exhorted the Meatballs with “Calavera is our friend”.  After some initial incredulous “say whats?”, the team rallied around the game’s catchphrase.

The Meatballs jumped out early in the bottom of the first scoring five, and by the end of the third inning had an 11-0 lead.  It truly felt like the stars aligned with the Meatballs with many hits finding gaps into the outfield while the Muffins were hitting hard shots right at people.  Indeed, after four innings Nucci’s had held VPS to 12 up and 12 down (two double plays negated Muffin hits).  The Muffins finally plated a run in the fifth but the Meatballs added five more runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth.  The Meatball lead stayed at 16-1 after the top of the eighth, and the teams flipped.  The Muffins drove in three runs in the ninth, but the die had already cast.

The Village Pie Shoppe Muffins had a number of heroes on offense in spite of the limited run production.  Kevin Davidge, Rick Shaw, and Jerry Galiley were each 3 for 4.  Dario Santana and Evie Schwartz were both 2 for 3.  Evie made what would have been an ESPN highlight with a running shoestring catch of Dave Ash’s line drive to center field.  Unfortunately, the TV crew was in the restroom at the time. 

For the Nucci’s Meatballs, Bob Porter led the parade going 4 for 4 and thus earning a highly coveted mention in the writeup.  Cathy McDonald followed close behind going 3 for 3.  Tom Carney, Dave Ash, Jack Schwarzel, and Al Cabacungan were all 3 for 4.  Lil Keehan went 2 for 3 as well as pitching a gem, drawing favorable comparisons with Shohei Ohtani.

Thanks to ourselves for umpiring and thanks to Ed Silva for subbing for VPS. 

Bye: Plotkin Group

TBA

 After a forgettable previous week for both teams, the Nucci’s Meatballs hosted the Carlsbad Police Thin Blue Line at Alga 2.  The teams looked like an even match on paper, and real life proved this to be the case.  Strong pitching by Rod Johnson and Lil Keehan kept the score low and the duration even lower (done by 11:20).

The teams matched each other in the first five innings.  CPA scored two in the first and Nucci’s matched that.  Both teams were scoreless in the second and third.  CPA scored three in the fourth and Nucci’s responded in kind.  The pattern broke when CPA scored two in the sixth and held off Nucci’s to hold a 7-5 lead.  But Nucci’s turned the tables in the seventh with four to take a 9-7 lead.  With another run in the eighth, Nucci’s took a 10-7 lead into the top of the ninth.  After two quick outs, CPA got the next two batters on base with the tying run at bat.  But the smell of the donut shop was too great, and the game ended on a fielder’s choice with a ground ball to guess who? (Tom Carney)

For Carlsbad Police, Jeff Payton led the way going 4 for 4 with three RBIs.  Craig Wheatcroft, Jeff Van Siclen, and John Symanski were all 3 for 4, and Mark Remas was 2 for 3.

Bob “Crash” Porter led Nucci’s with a 3 for 3 day.  Dave Ash and Tom Carney were both 2 for 3 each with a double and a triple.  Dave edged Tom in RBIs, 4-3.  Also going 2 for 3, but with singles were Robert Tahimic, Jack Schwarzel, and Greg Lorton.  Philip Urbina made his season debut going 1 for 2 plus a sacrifice fly.

Thanks to Steve Newberg for umpiring, getting well over half of the calls correct (kidding!). 

Arriving at the field, it was a nice overcast day. One could say a perfect
day for a North County Senior Softball game. That all changed when the thunderclouds approached, the sun peeked through and heated up the artificial turf and the pressure-cooking environment of Alga 3. Not only was it hot and humid, but Delta and Randy fiercely circled each other with menacing looks. Both knowing they held a 1 and 3 record and one was going to walk away 2 and 3.

The Draft jumped out with 5 runs in each of the first two innings. No one was resting on their laurels in this highly competitive game. CBI pounded away in the 6th  thru 8th innings with 10 runs. Fortunately, The Draft cranked out 5 in the 8th, to firm up the win in this heated contest.

CBI batting leaders were, Dan Smith going 4/4, Randy Agadoni, Larry Wadalavage and Johnny Brand all going 3/4 and stepping up to the plate big time were Jerry Smith and Mike Gallagher with key Home Runs.

Speaking of Home Runs, Delta Farrington finished off the 1st inning with a HR and capping the total to 5. Other top hitters for the day were Jim Goertzen and sub Andy Jarrett both going 4/4. Mike Brower, Delta Farrington, Rich Keefer and Barb Pardo all went 3/4 to round out the offensive highs.

“You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth” Jackson Lamb

The following is the post game interview between the Post Game Interviewer (PGI), Joni Wallman (Wallman) and Joe Paul (JP)

PGI: What a ballgame, folks. We’re down here at Calavera 2, where the dust never settles and neither did the score tonight. Worden Williams pulls out a 16–15 thriller over Gaspar on a walk-off by none other than Joni Wallman. Joni, every player dreams about that moment — what’s it feel like to make it real in only your fourth senior league game?

Wallman: Honestly, it’s a dream come true. You grow up hoping for a chance like that, and tonight the baseball gods smiled. I just wanted to keep my hands inside, not overthink it, and luckily it found some grass. I’ll take it.

PGI: Some grass? That little looper brought in both the tying and winning runs! What was going through your head heading to first?

Wallman: Mostly, “Don’t fall down.” (laughs) But hey, I’ve got to tip my cap to my teammates. They loaded the bases, set the table — I just happened to be the one holding the fork.

PGI: JP, this game had five lead changes, four ties, more momentum swings than a playground. How do you even describe it?

JP: Well, you know, that’s why you play all nine. It’s a game of inches, and tonight we scratched and clawed for every one of them. Both teams left it all on the field — and in the dust, literally. At the end of the day, it comes down to execution. And a little luck never hurts.

PGI: Defense was a big factor too. Bob Loperena put on a one-man highlight reel in the third inning, Leigh Peterson flashed the leather deep in the hole — how much did that set the tone?

JP: Huge. You win with pitching and defense, even in slow-pitch softball. Bob’s catches — one over the shoulder, one juggling act, and even the routine one — they don’t show up the same in the box score, but they save runs. Leigh’s play at rover late in the game. That’s a game-changer.

PGI: Offensively, your lineup was relentless — Buscher, Loperena, Fischer perfect at the plate, Auerbach driving in three, and ten different players with RBIs. That’s spreading the wealth.

JP: That’s what we preach: keep the line moving. Top to bottom, everybody contributed. Even in the ninth, it was the lower half of the order setting up Joni’s heroics. That’s team baseball.

PGI: Credit to Gaspar too — Steele and Lara going 4-for-4, Balas launching a mammoth shot and knocking in four. This one could’ve gone either way.

Wallman: Absolutely. Both sides were trading punches all night. It felt like a heavyweight fight — nobody stayed down, but someone had to land the last swing.

PGI: And tonight, Joni, that swing belonged to you. Congratulations on your first career walk-off!

Wallman: Thanks! We’ll enjoy this one, but it’s a long season. Gotta keep grinding.

JP: Couldn’t have said it better. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

PGI: (laughs) There it is again — the oldest cliché in the book. But it fits. From the dustbowl of Calavera 2, Worden Williams walks it off, 16–15. Folks, if you missed this one, you missed a classic.

PGI: One final question. Overall to what you attribute this win?

JP: Besides what we have mentioned above, probably because we scored more runs than they did.

Bye: Pizza Port Brewery