Scores

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It is the oldest question dating back to the beginning of time…

Whether tis nobler to Flip or Be Flipped?

The Bipolar Nuccian’s took to the windswept, rain-slick turf on Thursday with that question raging in their scattered, geriatric brains, fresh off a turd laid just two days prior to the previous winless Gaspar Message squad. Which Nucci’s team would show up? Who would take the reins. Thankfully, the answer revealed itself swiftly and resoundingly.

The first inning saw Irish Spring rain showers which caused a brief delay to the action. Once action resumed, Nucci’s posted a familiar five-spot to elevate their fragile confidence. Not to be outdone, they repeated this offensive onslaught in the second inning, adding another 2 in the third to open a comfortable 12-nil score. But Joe Raffe’s Pie Slingers, though outmanned with two skill players MIA, rebounded with seven runs over the next three innings while Nucci’s was basking in the glory of days gone by to bring the contest to an uncomfortable 12-7 status. That was all it took for Nucci’s to awaken from their slumber to add another five runs over the next two innings to bring about the all-too familiar eighth inning flip-a-rooni. VPS added one more to their tally in the 9thbefore order was restored.

Nucci’s offense was bolstered by the top of the order, with Robert Tahimic going 4 for 4, Kevin Davidge 2 HR’s and 6 RBI, Tom Carney and Laurie Mills 3 for 4 (Laurie had a HR wiped out by the 5 run rule) and Jimmy (Dead Man Waddling) Smyth tallying 3 for 4 with a HR. 

Highlight of the game was in the sixth when Smyth sent a line drive to left center, pausing briefly to appreciate the majestic flight of the ball, then devolve into shear panic as he realized he would have to leg out the HR. Stop watches ran out of battery power before he crossed the plate. The two-headed pitching tandem of Lil Keehan and Russ Roopenian did great work in keeping VPS under relative control.

Hitting stars for VPS included Dario Santana and Phil Kay, both going 3 for 4. David Ward belted a solo homer, reaching the outfield fence at Pine in three hops!

VPS would like to thank Al Castenada and Gary Soper for subbing. Jimmie Martin did a great job behind the plate, managing to clear all the phlegm from his throat with each strike call.

Gaspar Physical Therapy scored five runs in the second and third innings to power its way to a 17-15 win over Pizza Port.

Pizza Port took an early lead with five runs in the first inning. Gaspar scored five in the third to take an 8-6 lead it would never relinquish but the game was tight all the way. Pizza Port put up four runs in the top of the fifth to close to 15-11 and two in the seventh to make it 17-15, but solid defense by Gaspar closed out the win.

Dennis Rayford and Gene Smith each homered to propel Gaspar. Rayford was 3 for 4. Smith was 2 for 2 with two intentional walks, scored four times and had three RBI. Cameron Cord continued his torrid hitting with a 4-4 outing and three RBI. Oscar Castillo also went 4 for 4 and scored four times, and Manager Barry Stangl was also 4 for 4.  Paul Thomas, Philip Urbina, Dan Frye and Rick Skidmore each had two hits for the winners.

Ken Thompson and Andy Balas homered for Pizza Port. Thompson, Dan Menendez, Roney Lewis, Dale Miller, and David Erwine each had three hits for Pizza Port.

The win was the second straight for Gaspar after starting out the season 0-7-1.

Carlsbad Police Academy and Worden Williams squared off on a windy and cold day at Alga 3.  CPA took an early 4-2 lead after two and scored three more in the top of the third for a 7-2 lead. WW rallied to score five in the bottom of the inning to tie game, but CPA came right back to score five to take a 12-7 lead. CPA scored six runs in the next two innings for a commanding 18-8 lead after six.  Both teams put up three more runs and CPA won by a final score of 21-11.

The CPA offense came alive today after struggling over the last few games. Bob Loperena led the hitting attack going 5 for 5. Manager Craig Wheatcroft went 4 for 5, hit for the cycle and had 6 RBIs. Dan Miserany and Sheree Parsons also went 4 for 5. Mark Pedote went 3 for 5 with a home run, sacrifice fly and 5 RBIs. Donato Domaguin and Jerry Galiley both went 3 for 4.

The CPA outfield had a strong day defensively. There were two spectacular catches, a long running catch by substitute Tony Coppin in center in the sixth and an over-the-head catch by Bob Loperena of a towering drive in left center in the ninth. The infield played solidly throughout the game and turned two double plays. Pitcher Pete Zavala also had strong outing.

Bob Buscher led the WW hitters, going 4 for 4 and scoring three runs. Super sub Rich Lavato went 4 for 4 with a home run and 5 RBIs. Mark Riserbato went 3 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBIs.

The teams thank Steve Sexton for a fine job of umpiring.

The Draft hosted Plotkin Group on a chilly March morning at Alga 2. Firing on all cylinders out of the gate, The Dodgers put up 4 runs in the 1st, 5 in the 2nd, and 5 more in the 3rd. PG started off slow but fought back with 2 in the 3rd, 3 in the 4th, and 4 in the 5th to bring the score to 14-9 ... definitely anyone's game at this point. After 2 quiet innings The Draft tacked on another run in the 6th and 4 more in the 8th. PG tried to rally but the Dodging Defenders would only surrender 2 more runs, resulting in the final tally of 19-11.

Margo Jacobo for DR and Rich Keefer for PG pitched excellent games.

The Dodger offensive workload was shouldered by Dale Miller (5/5, HR, 3 RBIs); Jeff Schneider (4/5, RBI); mid-season draftee Kevin McBarron (4/5, RBI); Gene LaChimia (2/5, HR, 3 RBIs); Bob Tompkins (4/5, 3 RBIs); Jeff Payton (4/5, 2 RBIs); Super Sub Joe Uribe (4/5, 2 RBIs).

PG bats were led by Cathy McDonald (3/5, 2 RBIs); Keith Richards (3/4, HR, RBI); Robert Kroger (2/4, HR, 2 RBIs); Dan Griffin (2/4, 2 RBIs), Oscar "Scoop" Lara (3/4); Dave Ash (3/4), RBI); Rich Keefer (2/4, RBI); and Dan Akers (3/4). 

Defense played well for both teams, with a total of 8 scoreless innings.

The Draft wishes to thank both Joe Uribe and Greg Lorton for their offensive and defensive help today as subs, and both teams wish to thank Roney Lewis for umpiring a great game!

Bye: Carlsbad Inn

        That Pizza Place