What a huge difference between Plotkin Group's two games this week. PG never led the game on Tuesday until the 7th inning and won on mostly singles. Today they took a five-run inning in the first and scored in every inning but two with three home runs, leading all the way. TPP was mostly stymied by solid defense from PG until they scored seven runs in the last two innings, but it was too little, too late with PG hanging on for a 22 to 13 win.
Once again everyone in PG's lineup contributed at least one hit and everyone but two players scored a run and/or drove in a run. Leading the hit parade were Oscar Lara going 4 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Steve Newberg 4 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs, super-sub John Symanski 4 for 4 with a three run homer. The other home run came from Rich Keefer who was 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs. Recently returned from vacation was Gary Soper who was pressed into pitching duties and did a fine job along with driving in the fifth run in the 5th inning with one of those "wouldabin" home runs to the fence.
TPP could muster nothing more than two runs in an inning until the five-run 9th inning. Leading the way was leadoff hitter Johnny Brand who went 5 for 5, Dennis Rayford 4 for 5, and Mark Riserbato 3 for 5 with two triples and 4 RBIs. Thanks also to Craig Wheatcroft for subbing and getting robbed by several caught long fly balls.
Today the Hennessey’s crew celebrated their first victory of the season with a total effort from everyone in a 17-9 triumph over The Draft. Hennessey’s welcomed Johnnie Martinez back today as he recovers from his medical procedure and teaming up with Harry Peacock provided clutch pitching to keep the Drafters mostly at bay. Johnnie and Harry were supported by timely defensive gems from Joe Uribe at second base, Kirsten Mildbrandt at first base and Dave Grull in left field. The hitting stars were Grull and Uribe with four hits apiece. Jim Goertzen and Pat Steele added three hits each as did star substitute player Dave Ward. Mark Pedote scored four runs and played a solid third base.
The Draft jumped out to a three run first inning, but the Green Machine countered with four of their own in the bottom half. They extended their lead to 8-3 in the third with big hits from Ward, Goertzen, Steele, Grull, and Uribe. The teams added runs in the middle innings with Steve “Sexy” Sexton pounding two homeruns for the Drafters. The Machine essentially put the game away in the seventh with their first five run inning of the season extending the lead to 17-7. The Draft added two in the ninth to close out the scoring.
Offensive stars for The Draft was the aforementioned big Sexy Sexton with his two homeruns, Gary McBride, Linda Wolf and Dave Franz with three hits each and league rookie Dave Hempy adding two himself.
The Draft showed great defense as well with The Draft’s Kathy O’Neil making an over the head snag of a Kirsten Mildbrandt screamer that would have easily gone to the fences if not for the spectacular grab. It was the star play for them.
Thanks to “Beer Man”, Greg Lorton for getting most of his calls behind home plate correct.
“All ballplayers should quit when it starts to feel as if all the baselines run uphill.” Babe Ruth
“If you get three strikes, not even the best lawyer in the world can get you off.” Bill Veeck
When it comes to the definition of “super subs”, look no further than Leigh Peterson (3 hits, including a leadoff home run, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and solid outfield defense) and Rich Reynolds (4/4, 4 runs, an RBI, filling in as the 12th man for VPS and hitting some of the hardest hit balls seen this year).
Their hitting barrage must have been contagious as the Worden Williams regulars snapped out of their hitting and scoring funk with a 23 -12 victory over the Village Pie Shoppe. In addition to Leigh and Rich, each of WW’s hitters collected at least two hits and scored at least one run led by Robert Tahimic who went 4/5 and showcased impressive fielding skills, Oscar Delgado who knocked in five runners and saving the best for last, Lloyd Thorne with a no doubter home run and two RBIs.
Both teams started the game with five players absent and two subs, but in a spirit of cooperation and fairness, both teams provided quality players at the outfield and catching positions to fill the void left by the missing twelfth defensive player.
Offensively, WW jumped out to a 13-2 lead through five innings. Although VPS mounted a comeback by scoring 10 runs in the 6th and 7th innings, WW responded in kind with 10 runs during the same two innings.
VPS was led by Jeff Payton (4/4), Delta Farrington (HR) and the irrepressible Roger Tesi who never ceases to astound anyone who has played with or against him. Roger wound up his 3/4 day with a home run OVER the left center fielder’s head.
Much thanks to the previously mentioned WW subs and to Skip Moyer and Ed Silva who filled in for VPS and to Big Al and Roney Lewis for umping and keeping the game from becoming a marathon.
Ok, 5 down.
Byes: Pizza Port Brewery
Gaspar
Calavera was too wet for 55+ softball, although conditions were perfect for The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County (Mark Twain: 1865). So Carlsbad Inn and Nucci's showed up dark and early to Alga 2 instead, where Carlsbad Inn prevailed 18-10 in a game that started in the drizzle.
Roney Lewis led Nucci's with a 4-for-4 morning that included a home run and 3 RBI's. Dennis O'Hern added a 3-for-4 day. And sub Teddy Badillo knocked in 5 runs with his own 3-for-4 line.
All 13 Carlsbad Inn batters notched at least one base hit. In the bottoms of the 4th and 5th innings, respectively, in which Carlsbad Inn scored 5 runs in both frames without making any outs, their hitters notched 14 consecutive base hits.
Noteworthy performances included home runs by Gene Smith (4-for-4 with 3 RBI's) and Randy Agadoni (also 3 RBI's). Gerry Itkin contributed a 4-for-4 day, and Larry Wadalavage knocked in 3 runs with his 3 base knocks.
Pitcher Rod Johnson also had 3 hits, but of greater note: for the second time this season, he tossed a 3-pitch inning! That's as low as you can go.
Last, thank you to Steve Sexton for being The Man in Blue.
Both teams showed up at Pine for the game that had been threatened to be rained out. Maybe I should say "most" of the teams because each were missing five players. Thank goodness Hennessey's got subs Bill Codner and Margo Jacobo and Plotkin Group received Rick Skidmore and Larry Wadalavage.
HEN jumped out on top with 4 runs in the first inning and maintained a three run lead through the sixth inning. Good pitching and several outstanding plays by both teams kept it a low scoring game. Pat Driscoll made two "hang a star" catches in the 4th inning alone and Larry Wadalavage made a game saving catch in the 9th inning for PG. The infield also turned three double plays. HEN players Joe Uribe and Phil Kay also made some spectacular catches to thwart PG rallies.
HEN scored four runs in the top of the 7th inning to take a 14 to 7 lead. Then PG finally put together a big inning, scoring seven runs on nine hits with only one extra-base and only one out. They followed that up with a six singles four run eighth inning and shut down HEN with two scoreless innings for the 18 to 14 win.
Everyone in PG's lineup got at least one hit for a team batting average of ,723. Oscar Castillo led the way with a 5 for 5, 4 RBI day. Leo McFall and Rich Keefer were each 4 for 5 and Cathy McDonald, Steve Newberg, Pat Driscoll, and Larry Wadalavage each had three hits. Small ball was the name of the game with no home runs and only two doubles.
It was a tough hitting day for HEN with only Pat Steele going 5 for 5, Phil Kay going 3 for 4, and Dan Miserany having the only homer in the game, a three-run shot in the 4th inning.
Thanks to Joe Raffa for umping.
The one win That Pizza Place (TPP) ball club were hosting the one loss Pizza Port Brewery (PPB) team for the last game of the day on Tuesday in what was the first game of the "Battle of the Pizza"s season series.
After three innings PPB jumped out to a 6-0 lead, while TPP extended its scoreless inning at-bat streak to eight. After PBB batted in the top of the seventh, they held a comfortable 10-3 lead. Brenda Lehman's crafty pitching and the 3/4 days at the plate from Rich Lavacot, Teddy Badillo, Phil McCabe, and Roger Tessi appeared to be too much to overcome for the hit-challenged home team.
Amazingly TPP scored three runs in both the 7th & 8th innings, while PPB did not score in their 8th & 9th innings. Trailing 10-9, TPP came to bat in the bottom of the ninth. After the first batter was retired, the next 3 hitters reached first base safely while driving in the tying run. Runners were on first and third with one out and the score tied. Gordon Recht strode to the plate. In an obvious show of respect, PPB chose to load the bases with an intentional walk and setup a possible inning ending double play.
As Evie Schwartz methodically moved toward the plate, Coach Rayford stopped her for a ten second pep-talk. It wasn't many more seconds later that Evie hit a line drive over the third baseman's head that wouldn't have been snagged by Brooks Robinson or Nolan Arenado. This was the first and only moment of the game where TPP had a lead. The game was over in dramatic fashion.
In addition to Evie's heroics, credit should be given to pitcher Michaël Endeman for continuing to battle while getting little run support from his offense. The biggest offensive contributors were Keith Richards who was 4/4 with a home run and 5 RBI's. & Mark Riserbato hitting 3/4 with a home run and 3 RBI's.
Much thanks to Keith Richards for subbing and Big Al for umpiring!!
The Draft team came to play today! All team members contributed to the Win defeating Nucci’s 24/19.
Gary McBride led the Draft going 5/5 with 3 doubles and 5 RBI’s. Jack Schwarzenegger went 4/4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI’s. Our courageous leader Jimmie Martin went 4/4 with 1 double and 3RBI’s. Dave Hempy went 4/5 with 1 double and 4 RBI’s. Dave Frantz was 4/5. Steve Saxon went 3/3 with 1 double and 1 BB. Nanci Watt went 3/4. Walt Webber and Tony Coppin went 3/5. Linda Wolf was 2/4 with a HR down the LF line! Whoop whoop! Tom Winterbourne and Kathy O’Neil were 2/4, Donna Engleman was 1/4.
For Nucci’s.
Al Castaneda 5/5
Dennis O’Hern, Roney Lewis, Marty Topper, and Rich Berkley went 4/5. David Bentley hit a HR and along with Paul Thomas, Sheree Parsons and Ron Silverman went 3/5.
Byes: Carlsbad Inn
Village Pie Shop
“Open the pod bay doors, HAL.” / “I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.” 2001 – A Space Odyssey
“A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.” War Games
Saving the best for last, Worden Williams (WW) squeaked by Gaspar (GA) 16-12 in the early game at Alga. The “best” were two unbelievable catches, one by left fielder Cord Cameron and the other, “more unbelievable” if there is such a phrase, by right fielder David Hartzog, both occurring in the top of the ninth with WW facing the heart of the GA order. It was not until the final out was recorded that the game could have had a different result.
Leading the way for WW was Cord Cameron with two home runs and five RBIs. WW’s defense, while shaky at the start, stiffened at the close, allowing only a lone run over the last five innings. In addition to the amazing catches in the ninth, solid fielding performances were put on display by Oscar Delgado and Dennis Kemp.
For GA, who were down three quality players, never let up even in the later innings. Leading the way at the top of the order were Leigh Peterson 4/5 and Brian Turner 5/5, and in the lower half, Mary Ann O’Brien who seemed to be on base every at bat. GA’s defense was equally as good as WW’s, allowing only two runs in the last four innings.
The game benefited from a trio of umpires – Donato Domaguin behind the plate, and Roney Lewis and Al Cabacungan on the bases.
Dale Miller subbed in for GA.
So four games down… and you know the rest.
Lastly, big thanks from GAS (Leigh) and WW (Joe) to PPB (Mark) and TPP (Mike) for sharing Alga 2 for this game. Calavera would not have allowed us to play.
Standings are posted after all scores have been received (in a timely manner)
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