2007 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Week 3:  April 22, 2007

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Game 1: Kings 18 (WP-Chuck Grant 1-0)  Stingers 3 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 0-1)  4 Innings

The Kings opened their 19th season in the PMSL at home against the 3rd year Stingers. Stingers Jeb Buchman led off the game with a single to RF and later scored on a fielder's choice RBI groundout by Randy Rivera. This would be the only time that the Kings were to trail all day. In the Kings b-1st, consecutive singles by Kenny Salzman, Dave Sandler, and Shilo Merwitz loaded the bases to start the inning. Chuck Grant drew an RBI walk to tie the game and Alan Varhaftik followed with a 2 RBI double off of the fence to put the Kings ahead for good. The Kings plated 5 runs in the b-1st to take a 5-1 lead. Stingers Mike Beverly started the t-2nd with an opposite field 3B and scored on a SF by Brad Starobin. The Kings added 4 more runs in b-2nd, the key hits were a 2 RBI bases loaded 2B by Varhaftik and a 2 RBI single by Jan Katzen. Neither team scored in the 3rd, so after 3 innings, the Kings led 9-2.

In the t-4th, Stingers Tim Palo hit a 2 out RBI single, making the score 9-3. The Kings just continued to pound the ball against Stingers starter Darron Tabatznik, batting 11 batters in the b-4th with 10 batters reaching base on a hit and Jan Katzen reaching base on a walk. 9 runs came across in the inning without an out being recorded, but this was enough to give the Kings the win 18-3 with a 15 run mercy rule in the b-4th.

Multi-hit Kings (19-28,18 R, 16 RBI, 4 2B,2 3B,0 HR,4 W,1 SF) players in game 1 were:
Kenny Salzman (2-4,2 R,1 RBI,3B)
Shilo Merwitz (4-4,3 R,2B)
Alan Varhaftik (3-3,3 R,4 RBI,2 2B),
Jan Katzen (2-2,1 R,3 RBI,W),
Nate Barker (2-3,1 R,1 RBI).

For the Stingers (7-19,3 R,3 RBI,1 2B,1 3B,0 HR,2 W,1 K,1 SF):
Jeb Buchman (1-2,1 R)
Mike Basoco (1-2),
Mike Beverly (1-2,2 R,3B),
Brad Starobin (1-1,1 RBI,SF),
Tim Palo (2-2,1 RBI,2B)
Matt Friedman (1-2)

The season opener for the Stingers was a get together. Darren Tabatznik took the mound and loosened up the rust. Kings took the 1st inning in stride from where they left off last year. The Stingers did what they could on the opener of the season, but fell to the Kings in this one.

Game 2: Kings 18 (WP-Chuck Grant 2-0)  Stingers 5 (LP-Brad Starobin 0-1)  6 Innings

The Kings bats did not let up in game 2 against Stingers #2 starter Brad Starobin. Kings scored 7 times in t-1st with 2 RBI hits by Alan Varhaftik, Keegan Rettaliata (2B), and Mike Herr. Alan Varhaftik hit a 2 run HR in t-2nd, giving Kings 9-0 lead. For Varhaftik, it was his 4th 2 RBI hit of the day, and 8th RBI on the day in just the 2nd inning of game 2. However, despite this amazing start to the season, the 8 RBI's only moved him into a tie for the league RBI leadership with the Cannons Chuck Easter (8 RBI's in game 1 vs. LOFT)f. Nate Barker's 2B scored Jan Katzen in the t-3rd putting Kings up 10-0. Stingers rallied for 3 runs in b-3rd on RBI hits by Darron Tabatznik, Mike Basoco, and Sean Murphy. An RBI 3B by Keegan Rettaliata gave the Kings 1 run in t-4th and Dave Sandler's RBI single gave the Kings 1 run in t-5th. With a 12-3 lead, Kings gave starter Chuck Grant a rest and Shilo Merwitz took the mound for the b-5th. A leadoff single by Tim Palo, an RBI 3B down the RF line by Matt Friedman, and a SF by Darron Tabatznik gave the Stingers their final 3 runs of the game. Unfortunately for the Stingers, it was just a bit shy for the Stingers to get the opening day “w”.  The Kings won the night-cap 18-5 in 6 innings.

The Stingers were still on the cold side even with a sunny 80 degree day to start off the first and second innings, but Brad Starobin took the mound to keeps the game in play. All too quickly, the bats of the Stingers got cold again but great effort was provided by Lee Densky shot a rounding Mike Herr for the out at home on a relay started by Mike Basoco in right.

Game 2 offensive stars for the Kings were:
Dave Sandler (4-5,1 R,2 RBI)
Dan Frignito (3-4,3 R)
Chuck 'the franchise' Grant (2-3,3 R,2 RBI,HR,W)
Alan Varhaftik (2-4,2 R,4 RBI,HR)
Keegan Rettaliata (3-4,2 R,4 RBI,2B,3B,HR) -- missed the cycle by a single
Jan Katzen (3-4,3 R)
Nate Barker (3-4,2 R,2 RBI,2 2B)
Rob Ressin (0-1,1 R,3 W)
Mike Herr (2-3,1 R,2 RBI,W)

For the Stingers, the offensive standouts were:
Sean Murphy (2-3,1 RBI)
Matt Friedman (2-2,2 R,1 RBI,2B,3B)
Darron Tabatznik (1-1,1 R,2 RBI,SF)

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Game 1: Northwest Corridor 16  (WP-Howard Goldberg 1-0)  NEK Entertainment 9 (LP-David Pridgen 0-1) 

The long awaited opening day finally arrived and NWC were pumped to play. Howard Goldberg took the mound in game 1 to take on long time rival NEK. the two teams couldn't get anything going in the 1st but NEK struck first scoring 2 runs in the top of the 2nd. That lead would be short as NWC struck right back scoring 6 of their own runs in the bottom of the inning. Chris Canosa and Adam Silverman scored on a Matt Bell triple and Lee Pollak delivered his own 2rbi triple later in the inning. Scott Sweren legged out an inside the park homerun in the 4th and Chris Canosa followed him 2 batters later with a blast over the fence. NEK had trouble staging any rallies for a big inning and NWC held on for a nice 16-9 victory. NWC welcomed back Joey Liner and Gabe Unterman to their outfield after taking last season off. The defense played fairly well showing a little bit of rust in the first week.

Hitting Stars For NWC:
Gabe Unterman 1-1 2BB r rbi
Lee Pollak 2-3 3rbi 3B
Chris Canosa 4-4 4r 3rbi hr 2b
Scott Sweren 2-3 2r 3rbi hr bb, on base all 4 at bats

Game 2: Northwest Corridor 10  (WP-Howard Goldberg 1-0)  NEK Entertainment  2 (LP-Jeff Harris 0h-1) 

NWC struck first, this time managing 1 run in the top of the first after consecutive singles from David Stein, Howard Goldberg and Chris Canosa. NEK took the lead in the bottom of the first after back to back doubles. Those 2 runs would be all that Ted Winner would allow in his NWC debut. He let up just 5 hits and 2 runs allowing 10 baserunners and striking out 3. NWC would add on runs in every inning but the 6th and take a game 2 victory 10-2. Gabe Unterman continued his hot hitting going 3-3 with a 2rbi triple. Adam Silverman and Chris Canosa continued to anchor a solid NWC defense.

Hitting Stars For NWC:
Gabe Unterman 3-3 3b 2rbi r
Adam Silverman 3-4 2-2b 2rbi r
Howard Goldberg 4-4 2b r 2rbi
David Stein 2-3 bb 2r 2b

 

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Game 1: Havana Club Cannons 17 (WP-Mark Yokel 1-0)  L.O.F.T. 6 (LP-Andy Peksa 0-1) 

A slow start to the season with the bats had the Cannons down 2-1 after 2 innings. In the third a 2 out Lou Falcon rbi single started gave the Cannons a 3-2 lead that was never relinquished again. The key inning for the Cannons came in a 6 run 4th, keyed by six straight hits, 5 singles, and lastly a 2 rbi double by Chuck Easter.

The Cannons followed up in the 6th inning with 4 more runs, and in the 7th scored 5 more. Easter homered and tripled, driving in 5 runs between the 2 innings.

L.O.F.T. came out with their new look roster after making some key upgrades and really showed it early as they were able to take a 2-1 lead after 2 innings. Then gave up that lead in the 3rd as the Cannons came back and tied it, however L.O.F.T. only trailed 8-6 after 5 innings and were making some noise in their first game of the year, but they were unable to muster up anymore offense and ended up losing the game 17-6 as the Cannons finally were able to break through with some big hits. L.O.F.T. was able to stay in the game behind a solid pitching effort from Andy Peksa and solid defense. The L.O.F.T offense had timely hits which plated 6 runs through 5, but went cold over the final 2 innings.

Offensive Stars for L.O.F.T.:
Brett Henry: 2-3, 2 RBI, 3B, 1 R
Kevin White: 2-3, RBI, 1 R
Andy Peksa: 2-3, 1 R


Hitting stars game 1 for the Cannons:
Steve Henneman: 2-3; 2 BB, 4 runs scored and 1 rbi
Chuck Easter 4-5: 2 doubles, 1 triple and 1 HR. 4 runs, 8 rbis
Shawn Warner: 3-5 2 rbis
Tim Grap: 3-4 2 runs scored, 1 rbi
Mark Yokel: 3-4, 3 runs, 4 rbis

Game 2: Havana Club Cannons 13 (WP-Tom Paulshock 1-0)  L.O.F.T. 0 (LP-Andy Peksa 0-2) 

The Cannons started game 2, the way game 1 ended. the first 5 batters reached base, highlighted by a 2 run Homerun by Mike Steller to stake the Cannons to a 3 run lead early. Tommy P seemed to not miss a beat from last season, throwing strikes and also getting an RBI single in the 5th inning. In the 3rd inning, Mike Steller hit his second homer of the day, a tomahawk shot to centerfield for a 3 run homer.

L.O.F.T. was unable to hit the Cannons pitcher as they were not used to the speed and fooled by the changeup. L.O.F.T. managed to stay in the game until a big bottom of the 5th by the Cannons which included a walk off HR to end the game early.

In just his second game in a Cannons uniform, rookie Tim Grap, a find from Chief West Coast Scout Shawn Warner, capped a 5 for 7 day with a walkoff 3 run homerun. Grap is a bit of jack of all trades, catching two games today.

Cannons hitting stars in game 2:
Steve Henneman 3-3, 2 runs, 1 rbi
Mike Steller: 2-3, 2 homeruns, 5 rbis
Lou Falcon 2-3 1 run scored
Tim Grap: 2-3 3 run homerun

Post-Game L.O.F.T. Note:
 After the game L.O.F.T. Manager Andy Peksa had this to say at his press conference, "I really thought my guys battled out there today against the defending champions and I was extremely proud of them. I believe we turned some heads today and if we didn't, I think we will do so down the road. I know we lost, but after only completing 3 games last year, this is a positive step in the right direction."


Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Game 1: DC Dental  16  (WP-Tzvi Friedman 1-0)  Sky & Sky Inc. 13 (LP-Larry Newman 0-1) 

Both teams came out with very little offense as evidenced by the 3-2 score after 3 innings. Eventually D.C. Dental's bats woke up, while Sky & Sky's defense let the flood gates open as 11 runs came across in the bottom 4th and 5th. Ten runs scored with 2 outs, and the aide of 4 Sky & Sky errors. D.C. Dental was on pace to an easy victory with their ten run lead in the t-7th, but the final was 16-13 as Sky & Sky's rally made 'em sweat. Tzvi Friedman over Larry Newman as Steve Truitt went 2-3, BB, and two runs. Todd Tannenbaum chipped in with 3 singles + a walk, Russ Dlin was 3-4 and both Scott Felton and Richard Puritz went 3-4 with a double and 2 runs.

DC Dental opened its second season with a bang as it used some clutch 2 out hitting and solid defense to hold off the feisty Sky and Sky squad 16-13. Free agent acquisition, Sam Luxenberg, immediately delivered for his new squad by driving in three runs including a Ruthian homer over the right center wall. Tzvi "Big Tatti" Friedman and David "Larry" Ziffer, were a combined 7 for 7 with 4 runs and 3 rbi. Friedman also played a pivotal role in the 7th after DCD decided to rest him with a seemingly safe 10 run lead. But after Sky and Sky began to chip away at the lead, Friedman returned from the bullpen to pitch out of the mess and secure the victory. He was the first player to record a Save and a Win in the same game since Greg "The Otter" Olson did it with the O's in '93. Ok that's erroneous, but when discussing saves, the mind just has to wander to that legend and his ridiculous curveball.

Game 1 DCD Offensive Stars:
Luxenberg- 2 for 4 (Double, HR) 3 RBI, 2 Runs
Friedman- 4 for 4 (2 Singles, 2 Doubles) 2 Runs, 1 RBI
B. Gutman- 2 for 3 (2 singles) 2 Runs, 1 RBI
D. Gutman- 2 for 3 (Double, Single) 2 Runs, 2 RBIs
Ziffer- 3 for 3 (Single, Triple, Double) 2 Runs, 2 RBIs

Game 2: Sky & Sky Inc. 8  (WP-Alex Newman 1-0)  DC Dental 4 (LP-Tzvi Friedman 1-1) 

In the night cap, DCD looked sloppy on the basepaths and in the field and Alex Newman was able to hold the Dental offense to just 4 runs enroute to the 8-4 Sky victory. "Joltin Joe Orshalak" Orshan did add a couple of hits including a very questionable triple.

This was a much more subdued game as neither team did much exciting but they were consistent. The "big inning" was the b-5th as Sky and Sky put 3 on the board. Other than that each team scored a run here or there as both teams couldn't wait for the game to be over. A couple of nice double plays finished at first with Paul Hayes stretching at an angle no one likes to see. Alex Newman got the win over Tzvi Friedman 8-4. Zack Scherr punched two doubles to the outfield and had 3 RBI, while Neil Bingaman managed 3 hits and 2 runs.