Pikesville Mens Softball League April 30, 2006

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Kings (#2) 9 (WP-Chuck Grant 11-6) NEK Entertainment (#7) 3 (LP-David Pridgen 6-14)

The Kings faced NEK in round 1 of the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive season. The final score was identical to last year's round 1 game, Kings 9 NEK 3. NEK got all 3 of their runs in t-1st courtesy of 3 singles, a SF, and the Kings only error of the game. Jason Gardner (1B) and Tremaine Tazewell (SF) had the 2 RBI's credited in the inning. The lead was short-lived as the Kings got all 3 runs back in b-1st. Kenny Salzman was excellent in the leadoff position for the Kings in game 1 as he was a perfect 3-for-3 with 1 walk and 2 runs scored. In the b-1st, Salzman doubled, scored on Dave Sandler's RBI single, with Sandler scoring on Chuck Grant's SF. The 3rd run of the inning scored on an infield error with 2 outs. The game remained knotted 3-3 into the b-4th. In that inning, Alan Varhaftik led off with a walk, Jan Katzen hit an RBI 3B, and Troy Hendricks hit an RBI 2B. Leading 5-3 into b-5th, Kings added 4 more runs as NEK starter Dave Pridgen struggled briefly with his control walking 4 Kings in the inning of his game total of 6 walks. Alan Varhaftik was issued an RBI walk with the bases loaded, while Keegan Rettaliata followed with a 2 RBI single, to be proceeded by a Jan Katzen RBI single.

NEK offensive stars:
Rashaad Johnson (2-3,1 R)
Jason Gardner (2-3,RBI,3B)
Tremaine Tazewell (1-2,RBI,SF)
Kevin Purnell (1-2)

Kings offensive stars:
Kenny Salzman (3-3,2 R,2B,W)
Dave Sandler (1-3,2R,RBI,W)
Jan Katzen (2-3,1 R,RBI,3B)
Troy Hendricks (2-3,RBI,2 2B)

Pitching Lines:
NEK-- Dave Pridgen (6 IP,27 AB,10 H,9 R,8 ER,6 W,0 K,3 2B,1 3B,0 HR, Losing Pitcher)
KINGS-- Chuck Grant (7 IP,31 AB,10 H,3 R,2 ER,0 W,2 K,0 2B,1 3B,0 HR, Winning Pitcher)

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Sky & Sky Inc. (#4) 19 (WP-Alex Newman 3-2) Northwest Corridor (#5) 7 (LP-Terry Lanciotti 3-2) (5 Innings)

A coaching decision to leave Alex Newman on the mound with his father watching from RF appeared to be the obvious move...after Newman induced 2 screaming line drive outs ending an early NWC, bases loaded threat. Down 1 in the b-1st Sky & Sky went to work, scoring 6 runs on 7 hits. Terry Lanciotti (NWC pitcher) was subject to a bevy of fielding mishaps, while Sky & Sky took full advantage for 7 more in the b-2nd. The normally scrappy NWC team seemed out of sync on routine plays, while a strike zone guessing game saw Lanciotti walk four in that horrible defensive 2nd inning. The two teams traded runs in the 3rd, and NWC added one in the t-4th. Prior to NWC batting in the t-4th Donny Weinapple found it a wonderful time to chat it up with friends, and renew old acquaintances. After several minutes of delay on the field to accommodate his personal chatting schedule, he was quoted as saying "Oh shit!" and moseyed back to the field as players and umpire alike gave him time to finish up his lengthy conversation. This 'senior moment' brought to you by Garlick--the natural was to improve alertness and memory.

Always keeping there heads up, NWC struck for 4 in the t-5th to close the gap to within seven. However, a 3-run Andy Bloom HR followed by three hits and a walk led to a slaughter rule after 5 innings, without NWC recording an out. Alex Newman aided his own cause with 3hits,BB,2 runs,2rbi, Richard Puritz & Jeff Friedman each chipped in with 2 hits, BB, 2 runs and 3rbi, while Mike Rottenberg, and Larry Newman each added 2 singles. The bottom 5 hitters had an OBP of 76.5%. Andy Bloom had the monster game in the line-up needing only a 3B to complete the cycle and adding 5-rbi.

The first inning of the NWC vs SKY 2006 playoff game started off with excitement and lots of baserunners. Jon Herbst led off the game with a walk followed by base hits from Scott Sweren and David Stein. Eric Wingrat would also draw a walk, but Alex Newman pitched out of a bases loaded jam allowing just 1 NWC runner to score. Sky & Sky's fortune's were much better pushing 6 runs across the plate and taking a lead they would never relinquish. Sky capitalized on 4 Terry Lanciotti walks to score 7 more in the 2nd. NWC slowly clawed their way back scoring 2 runs in the 3rd and 4 more in the 5th. Every rally that NWC started Newman managed to escape with only limited damage. Seeing a 13 run lead shrink down to 7 Sky & Sky closed out the game in the 5th with 5 more runs. Andy Bloom capped off the big inning with a 3-run homer and Sky took the first game rather easily

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Havana Club Cannons (#1) 17 (WP-Mark Yokel 12-2) Stingers (#8) 0 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 5-13) (4 Innings)

The Cannons came out strong to start their 2006 Playoff campaign. Mark Yokel lead the way, only allowing 2 base runners all game, giving up 2 hits to the same Stingers player. In the 1st inning the Cannons plated 1 run, on a Shawn Warner rbi single, but in the second inning the flood gates opened. Sending 18 batters to the plate in the 2nd inning, the Cannons scored 13 runs. The game was over after 3 1/2 innings.

Hitting Stars for the Cannons:
Chuck Easter 2-3, 2 rbis, 2 runs, 2 doubles
Shawn Warner 2-3 HR, 3 rbis, 2 runs
Lou Falcon 2-3 2 runs, 1 rbi
Neal Charkatz 2-2, BB, 2 runs, 1 rbi
Johnny Edelman 2-3 2 runs, 2 rbis
Steve Hayes 1-2, 2 rbis

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Eastern Savings Bank (#3) 12 (WP-Jeff Harris 9-3) DC Dental (#6) 3 (LP-Tzvi Friedman 6-7)

The first playoff game in franchise history, did not go as planned for DCD, as poor defense and lackluster offense contributed to a 12-3 loss to Eastern Savings Bank. Things started well in the top of the first when Engelhart scored on a throwing error. But from there it was all ESB as they pounced on the Dental Suppliers with 4 in the first and 5 in the second to take a 9-1 lead. Jeff Harris took the fuel out of any comeback by silencing DCD's bats and holding its 1-5 hitters to a pathetic 1 for 14. The lone offensive bright spot for DCD was the clutch-hitting of Shalom "Pudge" Ryback, who was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI. Friedman went the distance on the mound earning the loss.

Game one saw ESB matched up against DC Dental who are not only a good team but good friends of many of the ESB players. ESB put friendship aside and put a hurting on DC Dental behind the stellar pitching of Jeff Harris and the clutch hitting of Jason Schwartzberg. Both runs scored by DC Dental were unearned as Jeff Harris had them totally baffled throughout the game. DC got on the board in the first inning with an unearned run but ESB came storming back to take the lead. By the fourth inning ESB had an 11-1 lead and at that point the game was basically over.

Schwartzberg had 4 RBI's and 3 runs scored.
Glenn Ackman had 3 hits and 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored.
Chris Zoeller (batting left handed to protect an injured thumb) had 2 RBI's

The big story of the game was that Gabe Silber got hit by a line drive off the bat of Nadav while running from second to third. Gabe was in serious pain and was very doubtful for game 2. He had a large bump on his left arm that quickly became discolored.

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Kings (#2) 9 (WP-Chuck Grant 12-6) Eastern Savings Bank (#3) 4 (LP-Jeff Harris 9-4)

Déjà vu for the Kings also in game 2 as they were matched-up against their 2005 round 2 opponent ESB. While the 2005 score was a 5 run Kings victory 8-3, the 2006 round 2 final while again a 5 run margin, this year's final score was 9-4. Chuck Grant defeated Jeff Harris as both pitchers worked hard and pitched well in both games of Sunday's action.

Kings got on board with 2 runs in b-1st with a 2 out none on rally. Shilo Merwitz doubled, Grant hit an RBI single, and Alan Varhaftik hit an RBI 3B. ESB took lead with 3 runs in t-3rd. Sam Luxenberg singled to lead off inning. With 1 out, Ben Gutman hit a sinking liner to CF that was just out of the reach of Kings RCF Dave Sander. Gutman went to third base on the 3B and scored on an overthrow back into the infield. Jeff Harris then hit a 2B down the thirdbase line. Chris Zoeller singled home Harris with the 3rd run of the inning. ESB extended their lead to 4-2 in t-4th as Gabe Silber delivered a clutch 2 out 2B to score Jason Green who had reached on a leadoff walk. The walk to Green on a close pitch was the only walk that Chuck Grant yielded all day. The Kings rallied in b-4th as Varhaftik reached to leadoff the inning and scored on Keegan Rettaliata's SF. Following a walk to Jan Katzen and single to Troy Hendricks, Rob Ressin walked to load the bases for the Kings with 2 outs. Mike Herr delivered a 2 out 2 RBI bloop single to put Kings ahead 5-4. Kings added 4 runs in b-5th as Dave Sandler started the inning with a single off the bare hand of Jeff Harris. Harris stuck out his hand a là Kevin Brown, but fortunately was able to remain in the game as ESB was without other starters Ted Winner (knee injury) and Lane Gordon (family illness). RBI's in the inning for the Kings came from Chuck Grant (SF), Alan Varhaftik (1B), and Jan Katzen (2 RBI 1B). Grant allowed just 1 hit in each of the last 2 innings in closing down the ESB potent offense.

In game 2 ESB took on it's arch rival the Kings. While ESB basically dominated the Kings for a few years after the Kings had dominated them when we first joined the league, now the tables have turned again. The Kings are now dominating ESB again. The Kings jumped out to 2 early runs and it looked like here we go again. But ESB showed what their made of by taking a 4-2 lead. Jeff Harris was cruising along until the 5th when ESB's usually reliable defense gave up 5 unearned runs. That was essentially the ball game.

Kudos to Gabe Silber who not only gutted it out by playing in the game, but also pulled off a Kirk Gibson by lining an important double that gave ESB their short-lived lead. It's possible that these two teams will meet again in the near future and ESB relishes the opportunity to turn the tide back into their favor.

ESB offensive stars:
Glen Ackman (2-3)
Sam Luxenberg (2-3,1 R)
Ben Gutman (2-3,1 R,1 RBI,3B)

Kings offensive stars:
Shilo Merwitz (2-3,2 R,2 2B)
Chuck Grant (1-2,1 R,2 RBI,SF)
Alan Varhaftik (3-3,2 R,2 RBI,2B,3B)
Jan Katzen (1-1,1 R,2 RBI,2 W)

Pitching Lines:
ESB-- Jeff Harris (6 IP,27 AB,12 H,9 R,8 ER,5 W,0 K,3 2B,1 3B,0 HR, Losing Pitcher)
KINGS-- Chuck Grant (7 IP,31 AB,11 H,4 R,4 ER,1 W,2 K,2 2B,1 3B,0 HR, Winning Pitcher)

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Northwest Corridor (#5) 7 (WP-Howard Goldberg 7-5) Stingers (#8) 3 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 5-14)

Both teams were hungry to advance to the next round and played a very close game for 7 innings. David Stein scored on a Howard Goldberg sac fly in the 1st to give NWC the lead. It would stay 1-0 until the 3rd when Lee Pollak started things off with a line drive base hit. Jon Herbst and Scott Sweren would follow with back to back doubles and NWC increased their lead to 4-0. The Stingers got on the score board after a Sean Murphy RBI triple to deep center in the top of the 4th. NWC would get a few more insurance runs in their half of the 4th. Matt Bell, Adam Silverman and Scott Landsman had consecutive base hits to increase the lead to 6-1. Howard Goldberg held the Stingers hitters in check for most of the game earning a career high 3 strikeouts in the game. The Stingers would try and rally in the 7th but NWC closed the game out 7-3 to advance to the next round.

Darron Tabatznik took a bullet off of the bat of Goldberg directly into his left bicep. After several minutes of play stoppage and watching a nasty purple welt develop on his arm Darron was able to come back in and finish the game.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Havana Club Cannons (#1) 10 (WP-Tom Paulshock 14-0) Sky & Sky Inc. (#4) 3 (LP-Larry Newman 11-12)

In the top of the first, Tommy surrendered a run, but the Cannons followed with 2 in the bottom half to settle things down. Shawn Warner had an rbi double, followed by a Mike Steller sac fly. Each team posted single runs in the 2nd inning, but after that is when Tommy really started to strangle the Sky hitters, striking out 2 batters, and only allowing 1 walk all day. The Cannons followed in the 3rd inning with 4 runs. keyed by a Mike Steller 2 rbis triple over the head of RF Alan Friedman. In the 4th, the Cannons followed it up wit ha another 3 runs, keyed by a 2 run double from Lou Falcon, and an rbi double by Neal Charkatz.

A Brian Sky double down the line (the only extra base hit for his team on the day) plated 1 for Sky & Sky, but the Cannons fought for 2 runs in the t-1st. Sky & Sky tied is up with 3 singles in the t-2nd, but again the Cannons pushed ahead by 1 in the bottom of the frame. Then the wheels started to come off in the field as The Cannons' hitters found the holes in the OF. Three infield hits in the t-6th led to one more run, but that was all that Sky & Sky could muster. Paulshock got the win over Larry Newman 10-3 in a game that was not even as close as the score indicated. Brian Sky and Andy Bloom each managed 2 hits.

Game 2 hitting stars for the Cannons:
Shawn Warner 3-3 2 runs, 1 rbi
Mike Steller 2-2, sac fly, 3 rbis, 1 run
Neal Charkatz 1-2 sac fly 2 rbis
Johnny Edelman 2-3 2 runs scored
Tommy Paulshock 1-2, 1 rbi

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
DC Dental (#6) 6 (WP-Meyer Zoller 5-4) NEK Entertainment (#7) 4 (LP-David Pridgen 6-15)

Things didn't look good early for DCD as they stared at elimination down 4-0 in the second inning. But Meyer Zoller settled down and didn't allow another run as DCD came back with three 2-run rallies aided by some walks, errors by NEK. NEK never really threatened after the second as Zoller was in total command, getting ahead of most of the hitters. The game ended with Dan Gutman putting DCD in the win-column by making a sliding catch with the tying run at the plate. Orshan swatted 4 out of 5 bees at the hive surrounding the DCD dugout; however, he killed one on an error. With the win DCD will attempt to avenge their five losses against ESB next Sunday.