2007 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Week 4:  April 29, 2007

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Game 1: NEK Entertainment 10 (WP-David Pridgen 1-1)  LOFT 9 (LP-Kory Rosenberg 0-1) 

L.O.F.T. showed up to the game with a change on the pitchers mound. Kory Rosenberg, a 7 year league veteran came in to pitch for L.O.F.T. and got his groove back in a hurry as he was constantly fooling hitters and mixing pitches effectively. L.O.F.T. jumped on the scoreboard quickly putting up 5 runs in the b-1st with RBIs from Ryan Mente, Andy Peksa, Adam Crothers and helping his own cause was Rosenberg with 2 RBIs. L.O.F.T. also added 2 more in the 2nd inning to take a 7-0 lead after 2. NEK battled back and the game was 8-3 after 3 innings. L.O.F.T. added one more run in the 4th off an RBI single from Dan Mabry to make the score 9-6, but L.O.F.T. was unable to score the rest of the game and was trying to hang on and defend the lead. However, NEK took the lead in the top of the 7th inning 10-9. L.O.F.T. was able to load the bases with 2 outs giving them a chance to win, but NEK was able to force a ground out to end the exciting game.

Offensive Stars for LOFT:
Brandon Mabry: 4-4, 2B, 3 1B, RBI, R
Adam Crothers: 4-4, 4 1B, RBI, R
Mike Bowen: 3-4, 2B, 2 1B, 2 R
Dan Mabry: 2-3, 2 1B, BB, RBI, 2 R
Andy Peksa: 2-4, 2 1B, RBI, R
Kory Rosenberg: 1-4, 1B, 2 RBI
 

Game 2: NEK Entertainment 4 (WP-Jeff Harris 1-1)  LOFT 3 (LP-Kory Rosenberg 0-2) 

Game 2 was another tight ballgame between the 2 teams as no one scored until L.O.F.T. got on the board with 2 runs in the top of the 4th inning on 2 out RBI base hits by Dan Mabry and Kevin White. NEK came back to cut the lead to 2-1, but L.O.F.T. added on another run in the 6th inning when Pete Sclafani drove in Brett Henry after he had a lead off double. NEK tied the game in the bottom of the 6th inning and L.O.F.T. was unable to score in the top of the 7th. NEK was able to strike in the bottom of the 7th with a game winning single. L.O.F.T. loses two heartbreaking games, but played tough all day and their new pitcher really gave 2 strong efforts making for 2 exciting softball games.

Offensive Stars:
Brandon Mabry: 2-3, 2 1B, R
Kevin White: 2-3, 2 1B, RBI
Brett Henry: 1-3, 2B, R
Dan Mabry: 1-3, 2B, RBI

Game Notes:

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Game 1: Havana Club Cannons 17 (WP-Mark Yokel 2-0)  Sky & Sky Inc. 6 (LP-Larry Newman 0-2) 

The errors on the first two Cannons batters foreshadowed the comedy of errors set to plague the Sky & Sky defense all game. A total of 8 recorded errors in the book, not to mention the 4 balls lost in the sun that fell within a few feet of the outfielder covering his head, made for a mockery of a game. Mark Yokel held the Sky & Sky offense in check scattering 10 hits as his defense seemed to be wherever the ball was well hit. Newman took the 17-6 loss with Steve Truitt going 3-3(2B, 2 runs, 3rbi) while Brian Sky and Richard Puritz each added two hits. Also of note was the Mike Rottenberg pinch-hit double, making him the oldest player in the league to hit a double today.
 

Game 2: Havana Club Cannons 9 (WP-Tom Paulshock 2-0)  Sky & Sky Inc. 5 (LP-Zach Scherr 0-1) 

Sky & Sky came out red hot plating 4 in the t-1st with Tom Paulshock having difficulty finding the plate. They threatened again in the 2nd, but left the bases loaded adding only one run. Jim Petersen proceeded to put an exclamation mark on the ball in the b-2nd as he curved a ball around the fair pole, into the wind. His team met him at home plate and then promptly pointed out exactly where the ball landed in the woods so he could retrieve it for posterity. Tom Paulshock bore down allowing the Sky & Sky hitters two more hits the rest of the way, as his team picked him up from his early control problems. The 3rd and 6th innings saw The Cannons pound four hits and add 2 runs in each, as they coasted to a 9-5 victory, with Zach Scherr taking the loss. Richard Puritz reached safely in all three plate appearances with 2 rbi, while Steve Truitt went 2-3(2B)

Game Notes:

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Game 1: DC Dental 14 (WP-Tzvi Friedman 2-1)  Stingers 4 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 0-2) 

The second week of the season brought a full squad for the Stingers to compete with. Darron Tabaznik took the mound giving DC Dental a 4 spot through 3 innings of play. In the b-4th it turned into a little rally with Tim Palo continuing the early season watchful eye walk. Mike Basoco followed with his triple down the line to put Palo across the plate. Sean Murphy kept things going with his shot into left that scored Basoco. Stingers, Aaron Shifron joined in with his contribution, with a 2 out man on second shot to put Murphy across the plate for a 4 run inning. Jeb Buchman’s single kept it going with a two out rally putting runner on 1st and 2nd. Unfortunately, even with a error and bases loaded the Stingers could not capitalize, leaving the b-4th tied at 4.

From the 4th inning on, the Stingers’ bats were held at bay for the rest of the game with the wind keeping shots to the left field up enough for DC Dental to track down.
 

In Game 1 the Stingers and DC Dental were deadlocked at 4 until the fifth inning. With some patience at the plate and some timely hitting, DC Dental broke open the deadlocked game with five run top of the fifth inning. From that point on, Friedman didn't allow another hit and DCD added some more insurance runs to secure the 14-4 victory. Led by Alan Lazerow's 4 for 4 performance, DCD had 17 basehits in the ballgame.


DCD Offensive Stars Game 1:
Lazerow- 4 for 4 (4 singles), 3 R, 1 RBI
Orshan- 3 for 4 (Double, 2 singles) 2 R, 2 RBI
Minkove- 2 for 3 (2 singles) 2 RBI, BB
B. Gutman- 2 for 4 (triple, single) 2 R, 2 RBI
D. Gutman- 2 for 3 (Single, Double) 2 RBI, BB
Dovi Ziffer- 2 for 4 (Triple) 2 R

Pitching: Friedman- (W 2-1) 7 IP 4 Runs
 

Game 2: Stingers 8 (WP-Randy Rivera 1-0)  DC Dental 2 (LP-Tzvi Friedman 2-2) 

The night cap brought everyone together for the Stingers. Giving DC Dental the 1 spot in the bottom of the 1st. The Stingers opened the door with hot bats and speed. Tim Palo gave his all to start off with a single, followed two batters later, with Mike Beverly’s single to put Palo across the plate. Lee Densky broke out and put a single into play that allowed Beverly to hustle across for another run. With two outs and Randy Rivera getting on base through a fielder’s choice, followed by a James Engler Jr, walk to place runners on 1st and 2nd, Darron Tabaznik put the ball in play with his blooper to short right scoring Rivera and Engler. Jeb Buchman kept things alive with a soaring double to put Tabaznik on third.


Now with runners in scoring position, Aaron Shifron took charge and added to his season RBIs with his double to plate Tabaznik and Buchman. This would be the breakout that the Stingers needed to get things rolling. Randy Rivera would take charge on the mound with Stingers backing him up in the filed allowing only 7 batters between the 4th and 5th innings. DC Dental did all they could to climb back in but the Stingers took this one for their first win of the season.

However, Game 2 proved to be quite a contrast as Randy Rivera quieted DCD's bats holding them to 2 runs. Zoller, making his '07 debut was strong overall but was unable to get any kind of run support. DCD is now 0-2 in the nightcaps this season causing Manager Ziffer some concern. "I don't know what it is, but I can't seem to motivate the troops for the second game. Maybe next week I will bring some bagels to give the guys some more energy."

DCD Offensive Stars Game 2:
B. Gutman- 3 for 3 (3 singles)



Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Game 1: Kings  16  (WP-Chuck Grant 3-0)  Northwest Corridor 2 (LP-Howard Goldberg 1-1)  6 Innings

Things started off nicely for NWC jumping out to a 2-0 lead after 1 inning. Howard Goldberg breezed through the first three Kings batters on the mound in t-1st and Gabe Unterman started things off at the plate for NWC with a leadoff walk. Scott Sweren advanced him over with a single and David Stein delivered an RBI 2B. NWC would never score again as they put together a rather pitiful display at the plate the rest of the game.

The Kings, coming off a pair of 18 run games last week against the Stingers, were launching line drives all over the field pretty consistently all game. Chuck Grant got the Kings on the board in t-2nd with a towering homerun over the fence in LCF. 90 seconds later when Grant finally finished trotting around the bases, the next 5 Kings batters reached base on 3 hits and 2 infield errors. Jan Katzen's 2 RBI single put the Kings ahead and they would not trail again. In his next at-bat, Katzen also delivered a fence clearing homerun off an unusually wild Howard Goldberg (7 walks).

Not a very memorable performance from NWC but a very well balanced attack displayed by the Kings. NWC had several players in brand new positions and they all rose to the challenge giving a great effort in the loss.

NWC (7-28,2 R,2 RBI,1 2B,0 3B,0 HR,4 W,2 K,0 SF) Players Who Remembered How To Hit:
Gabe Unterman 1-2 BB R
Howard Goldberg 2-3 ( k looking)
Lee Pollak 1-2 BB

Kings (16-31,16 R,15 RBI,3 2B,1 3B,2 HR,7 W,1 K,4 SF) offensive stars in game 1 included:
Chuck Grant (2-2,4 R,1 RBI,HR,2 W)
Alan Varhaftik (2-3,2 R,3 RBI,2B,3B,1 W)
Jan Katzen (4-4,3 R,4 RBI,2B,HR)
Nate Barker (2-3,1 R,2 RBI)
Troy Hendricks 2-4,2 R,2 RBI, 2B)


Game 2: Kings  12 (WP-Chuck Grant 4-0)  Northwest Corridor 8 (LP-Ted Winner 1-1) 

The Kings continued their dominance into game 2 jumping out to an 11-1 lead after 3 innings. Despite horrible hitting, shaky defense and two less than 100% healthy pitchers, NWC managed to make game 2 into a ballgame losing by just 4 runs. Gabe Unterman continued his stellar play in the outfield and excellent leadoff abilities scoring 3 runs off of 2 walks and a 2B. Scott Sweren, Adam Silverman, Lee Pollak and Ted Winner all had 2 hit games. NWC continues to struggle to hit when it counts leaving 9 runners on base in game 2 and 8 stranded in game 1. Scott Landsman made his first career pinch run in the 5th inning for Ted Winner.

NWC scored in the t-1st as Gabe Unterman led off with a walk, Scott Sweren singled, and Howard Goldberg had an RBI fielder's choice groundout. Kings scored 6 runs in b-1st. Dave Sandler started the Kings rally with a 1 out single, and following walks to Shilo Merwitz and Chuck Grant, Alan Varhaftik's 2 RBI bases loaded single put the Kings in front. Keegan Rettaliata and Rob Ressin also had RBI hits in the inning. In b-2nd, Kings loaded the bases on walks with 2 outs.  RBI hits by Rettaliata (1B,1 RBI), Jan Katzen (2B,2 RBI), and Troy Hendricks (1B,2 RBI) put the Kings up with a seemingly comfortable 11-1 lead after just 2 innings. However, NWC starter Ted Winner settled in and NWC whittled away into the Kings lead. NWC scored 2 runs in t-4th on RBI hits by Howard Goldberg (3B) and Adam Silverman (1B). They scored 3 additional runs in t-5th keyed by RBI single from Scott Sweren . With NWC trailing 12-6 into the 7th inning, Ted Winner hit a rare 3B and scored on Gabe Unterman's 2B. Unterman scored on a 2 out infield error, but NWC fell short 12-8.

For the Kings, it was their first 7 inning game of the season as the offense has averaged 16 runs per game in the season's opening weeks. Chuck Grant picked up the pitching wins in both games, improving his league-leading wins total to 4.

Other highlights for NWC included:

Kings game 2 offensive stars included:
Alan Varhaftik (2-3,2 R,2 RBI,W)
Keegan Rettaliata (4-4,3 R,2 RBI,2B)
Rob Ressin (2-3,1 RBI)

Kings post-game notes: