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Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Game 1: Havana Club Cannons 8 (WP-Tom Paulshock 9-1) Northwest Corridor 2 (LP- Howard Goldberg 5-6)

The Cannons were missing 4 regulars this week, Chuck Easter, Shawn Warner, Mike Steller, and Lou Falcon all were away on vacations enjoying the holiday sun. With batters 2,3,4 and 5 all away, a makeshift lineup was all the Cannons would muster.

The Corridor jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the t 1st, but the lead was short lived as the Cannons plated 4 in the both keyed by a 3run homerun by Tim Grap. Grap hit a high fly ball to centerfield and it looked as if the NWC outfielders didn't realize the ball was carrying all the way to the wall, and Grap was able to leg out an inside the ball park homerun as it dropped over their heads. The Corridor came back with another run in the t2nd, but that would be all that Tommy would allow all game. Jeff Kurland added an inside the ball park homerun in the 3rd inning, and Steve Hayes hit another blast out to left in the 5th for a 2 run shot.

NWC and The Cannons squared off on this hot humid Sunday with both teams missing big bats in their lineups. The cannons started off the 1st inning scoring 4 runs, Jonny Edelman singled followed by a screaming line drive from Henneman. Hayes received a bases on balls and Grap scored on an inside the park homerun after a misplayed ball by the NWC outfield. The NWC bats were quiet all game never managing much of a rally off of Tommy. Joey Liner led off the 1st with a line drive base hit to left field. He advanced on a Mike Silverman single and scored on Howard Goldberg's fielder's choice grounder to 3rd. NWC scored another in the 2nd to close the gap at 4-2. Adam Silverman knocked in Brad Rosenberg with a line drive base hit up the middle. There wouldn't much more offense from either side the rest of the game. NWC's offense was kept off the scoreboard and managed just 5 more hits the rest of the game. The Cannons also managed just 5 more hits the rest of the game but scored 4 more runs off of those hits.

The key to the victory was multiple double plays turned by displaced infielders Jeff Kurland (3b) Steve Henneman (SS), Tim Grap (2b) and Neal Charkatz (1b). Their fantastic defensive efforts keyed the Cannons win.

Game 2: Havana Club Cannons 12 (WP-Mark Yokel 12-0) Northwest Corridor 1 (LP-Ted Winner 4-7)

Game 2 was rather uneventful for each side through the first 5 innings. The Cannons again struck early scoring 2 runs in the 1st inning taking advantage of a crucial NWC outfield error. Ted winner allowed just 2 more hits until the 5th inning. NWC's bats never came alive this afternoon. Lee Pollak doubled in the 3rd inning and Matt Bell knocked him in for the only NWC run of the ballgame. Despite their offensive struggles it was a 2-1 ballgame after 4 innings and 4-1 after 5inn. The Cannons put 5 insurance runs up in the 6th and another 3 in the 7th to close out the victory and the sweep.

Although the score doesn't tell, this game was a tense on through 4 full innings. The Cannons jumped out 2-0 in the top of the 1st on a Tim Grap 2rbi single with 2 outs. The Cannons and NWC bats were flustered until NWC plated one in the bottom of the 3rd. Yokel and Ted Winner shut down both teams till the top of the 5th inning.

Kurland led off with a single, Johnny Edelman followed with a double. Steve Hayes popped up, and Tim Grap, who had been tearing the cover off the ball all day hit a scorcher to 3rd that was picked out of the dirt on a line by Adam Silverman for the second out. With 2 outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd, and a 3-2 count, Neal Charkatz ripped a single to center that scored both Kurland and Edelman and pushed the Cannons lead to 4-1. The next two innings followed with zeros by NWC and 8 more runs coming across for the Cannons stretching a closely played game to a 12-1 victory.

Again, the Cannons infield of Kurland, Henneman, Grap and Charkatz turned some fantastic double plays, highlighted by a shot to Kurland at third which he picked, tagged the base and threw a scorching one hopper that Charkatz was able to pick at first for an improbable double play...

Doubleheader hitting stars for the Cannons:
Kurland 3-6 (HR, 3 runs scored)
Edelman 6-7 (BB, 5 runs scored, 2 rbis)
Henneman 4-7 (2BB, 4 runs, 4 rbis)
Hayes 3-6 (2 BB, 2 run homerun)
Grap 3-8 (HR, 5 rbis)
Charkatz 2-7 (4 rbis)

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Game 1: Stingers 13 (WP- Randy Rivera 4-4) LOFT 10 (LP-Andy Peksa 4-7)

Andy Peksa took the mound in game 1 trying to get LOFT's its first game 1 win of the season. LOFT jumped ahead early in the top of the 1st inning with 4 runs off RBI singles from Andy Peksa and Ryan Mente as well as a 2 RBI Triple by Kory Rosenberg. The Stingers cut it in half and took the lead for good in the bottom of the 2nd inning when LOFT's defense fell apart. Kevin White did nail a base runner trying to go 1st to 3rd in the bottom of the 2nd on a perfect throw from left field. Trailing 12-4 in the top of the 6th LOFT scored 3 runs to cut it to a 5 run game. LOFT needed 6 in the top of the 7th to tie the game, but were only able to push across 3 runs.

Stingers opened the morning with a full compliment of players to make a push for the middle of the pack. LOFT had other plans for the Stingers in the beginning. LOFT opened with a couple of good shots where the Stingers were not an took the early and only lead they would have all day, plating four. Mike BaSoco, Tim Palo and Mike Beverly got their end of the offense going into the b-1st to put together a string of runs and walks to plate Soco and Palo for the Stingers only two runs of the inning. Randy Rivera would get back into the swing of things and so would the Stingers by blanking LOFT in the t-2nd.

Now the Stingers were back in sync with a full batting compliment as Randy Rivera was hot on the mound and transferred it to his bat. He would be followed by Matt Friedman’s single to score from 1st. Lee Densky put his two cents in with a double, to plate Friedman, followed by James Engler’s single for runners on first and third. Soco came through again with his shot to plate Densky, which would be mirrored by Palo. Sean Murphy made the most of his at bat, plating another run across the plate as the Stingers would take the lead and hold it after two innings; 8-4. Rivera again blanked the LOFT’s bats with speed from his outfield, tracking everything in play. Stingers would tack on another run thereafter in the b-3rd.

Thereafter Singers would get things going from the top of their line up from a laser by Soco for a double. Mike McGee’s bat was crucial putting in a single the other way to score another run and put the Stingers up by eight after four innings of play. LOFT tried scratching their way into the game, but Rivera would not allow much more than a few shots that LOFT had to earn with solid hitting. With the lead in-tacked, Scott Leder took the save to put the Stingers one up for the day.

Offensive Stars for LOFT:
Andy Peksa: 3-3; 2 1B, 2B, Sac Fly, 3 RBI, R
Mike Bowen: 3-3; 3 1B, BB, 3 R
Ryan Mente: 3-4; 3 1B, 2 RBI, R
Brandon Mabry: 2-3; 2 1B, Sac Fly, RBI, 2 R

Game 2: Stingers 17 (WP-Darron Tabatznik 4-7) LOFT 2 (LP-Kory Rosenberg 0-11)

After team pictures and a quick break, the Singers went back to work with Jeb Buchman drilling a double, followed by Tim Palo to put runners on the bags. Mike Beverly would add to the bases to bring up a single that would score two for the Stingers in the first. Darron Tabatznik took the mound in game two and set the tone for the second half of the morning. Tabatznik would only allow two runs in the entire game which LOFT was able to plate one each in the second and third innings. Thereafter it was all Stingers as they went through two full batting orders in the fifth inning and sixth inning to put the game out of reach for LOFT. Stingers’ Scott Leder would take the save along with the sweep and the Stingers would continue their run at the middle of the pack.

LOFT was only able to score 2 runs all game, but kept it within 10 to allow the game to continue. It was another sloppy game in the field along with a severe lack of hitting from LOFT.

Post Game Notes:
- After badly spraining his ankle in Ocean City last Sunday Night attempting to jump over a 3 foot wall Dan Mabry showed his toughness and played First Base for LOFT.
- In true Roger Clemens fashion Brandon Mabry returned after retiring less then 7 days earlier.
- Brett Henry went 2-7 on the day and is now 6 for his last 24.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 5 (WP-Larry Newman 8-6) Kings 2 (LP-Chuck Grant 10-7)

Sky's Larry Newman out-dueled Kings Chuck Grant in leading Sky to a 5-2 pitcher's duel in the opener. Newman allowed just 7 singles and 4 walks, allowing only 2 runs, both in the 3rd inning. Sky got on board first in t-3rd as Scott Felton led off the inning with a walk and scored on consecutive singles by Steve Truitt and Justin Rodger. In b-3rd, Kings Ben Petasky sinlged, Rob Ressin walked, and Shilo Merwitz delivered a 2 out 2 RBI single to score both runners who had moved up a base on an outfield flyout. With 2 out and 0 on in t-4th, Brian Weiss doubled and scored on Glen Ackman's RBI single. With the score 2-2 entering the t-5th, Sky rallied as Scott Felton singled with 1 out, moved to second base on a flyout, and scored on a Justin Rodger RBI single. Sky added 2 additional runs in the inning as Brian Sky followed with an RBI 2B and Pat Wilcox delivered an RBI single. Newman allowed 2 hits in b-7th, but he was able to retire the final batter on a flyout to give Sky the game 1 win.

Sky game 1 offensive stars:
Justin Rodger (2-3,1 R,2 RBI)
Glen Ackman (2-3,1 RBI)

The pace of game 2 slowed down significantly as both teams battled each other and the 90°F heat. The Kings came out the victors 10-7 in another competitive match-up. Sky led early in the game, building a 7-2 lead after 3, but to the Kings credit, Chuck Grant closed the door on the Sky bats and the Kings nibbled away on the Sky lead.

Scott Felton started the b-1st with a 2B and scored on Steve Truitt's RBI 1B. The Kings tied score 1-1 in t-2nd as Jan Katzen led off with a walk, Alan Varhaftik singled to move Katzen to 3B, with Varhaftik moving up to 2B on the throw. With 2 runners in scoring position and 0 outs, the Kings were in good position to take the lead. Zach Scherr was able to retire the next 2 batters on infield pop-ups. The Kings did not go away empty handed as Rob Barrow delivered a 2 out single to score Katzen with the tie run, but Varhaftik was gunned down at the plate on a fine throw by Pat in LF. In b-2nd, Pat led off with a 2B, Brian Weiss hit a 2 out RBI 2B, and Paul Hayes hit an RBI 1B. In Kings t-3rd, Kenny Salzman crushed a 1 out 3B to RCF and scored on Dave Sandler's 2 out RBI infield single. Sky added 4 runs to their 3-2 lead as the Kings outfield defense gave Sky 2 extra outs. Sky took advantage of these 2 errors with a Glen Ackman 2 RBI 2B and Pat Wilcox RBI single. After 3 innings, Sky led 7-2.

Kings began to dent into the lead with 3 runs in t-4th. Alan Varhaftik and Keegan Rettaliata single to start inning. Following 2 flyouts, Troy Hendricks delivered an RBI single, Ben Petasky delivered a pinch-hit RBI single, Kenny Salzman walked to load bases, and Rob Ressin singled to CF to add another run. Sky was still in the lead 7-5. Kings added 3 more runs in t-5th as Jan Katzen and Alan Varhaftik singled with 1 out, Keegan Rettaliata tripled both in, and Rettaliata scored on a Rob Barrow RBI fielder's choice. The 3 run inning put the Kings ahead 8-7. Kings pushed across 2 more runs in t-6th as Salzman singled, Dave Sandler 3B (RBI), and Jan Katzen 1B (RBI). With the Kings now ahead 10-7, Sky put 2 runners on base in b-7th, but Grant was able to finish the game inducing a groundout to SS Shilo Merwitz.

Sky offensive leaders:
Steve Truitt (2-4,1 R,1 RBI)
Glen Ackman (2-4,1 R,2 RBI,2B)
Pat Wilcox (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)
Brian Weiss (2-2,1 R,1 RBI,2B,W)

Kings offensive leaders:
Kenny Salzman (3-4,2 R,3B,W)
Rob Ressin (2-3,1 RBI)
Dave Sandler (2-4,1 R,2 RBI,3B)
Jan Katzen (2-3,2 R,1 RBI,W)
Alan Varhaftik (3-3,2 R,W)
Keegan Rettaliata (2-4,2 R,2 RBI,3B)
Rob Barrow (2-4,2 RBI)
Troy Hendricks (2-4,1 R,1 RBI)

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Game 1: DC Dental 18 (WP-Lane Gordon 4-2) NEK Entertainment 3 (LP- David Pridgen 2-7)

DC Dental got an early lead in the first inning and never looked back. In the 1st inning DC Dental jumped out to a 4 run lead. NEK would strike back in the 2nd inning with 3 runs but that would be all NEK could mange for the game. NEK strung together hits throughout the game but could not mange to hit the ball when runners were on the bases. NEK stranded a total of 11 runners for the game. You just can’t win like that.

DCD struck early in the first with the first 6 batters reaching base and 4 of them scoring to take the quick lead. After 2 innings the score was DCD 6 - NEK 3. Lane Gordon, the starting pitcher for DCD, settled down after that, allowing no more runs the rest of the way. DCD added one run in the 3rd, 5 more in the 4th, and 6 insurance runs in the 7th, with 4 of those runs scoring on a bases loaded single by Joe Rombro which somehow made its way all the way to the wall. In a statistical anomaly, all 20 of DC Dental’s hits were singles. Nevertheless, DCD ran away with this one 18-3.

Hitting Stars for DCD in Game 1:
Lazerow 3-3, 3 singles, 2 rbi, 2 runs
Flamm 4-5, 4 singles, 5 rbi, 1 run
Luxenberg 2-4, 2 singles, 3 rbi, 2 runs
D. Gutman 2-5, 2 singles, 1 rbi, 3 runs
Minkove 2-4, 2 singles, 1 rbi, 2 runs,
Rombro 2-3, 2 singles, 1 bb, 1 rbi, 3 runs

Game 2: DC Dental 10 (WP- David Finkelstein 1-0) NEK Entertainment 9 (LP-Jeff Harris 4-9) 8 Innings

This was a well battled game. DC Dental would go up early with 1 run in the 1st inning. NEK would put up 3 runs in the 2nd to take the lead. Then NEK would make a major error by allowing a single to score for runs. DC Dental would take a 5-3 lead NEK would fight back t tie the game at 5. NEK would then hold DC Dental scoreless while putting up 2 more runs to take a 7-5 lead. DC Dental would string together 1 run innings to tie the game. Then NEK took another lead up 9-7 but could not hang on. They would falter again due to ERRORS allowing Dc Dental to tie the game up at 9. In the bottom of the 8th inning DC Dental would capitalize on another ERROR and would win the game. A great effort by NEK but again no cigar. Maybe next time.

After his impressive Game 1, Lane did not pitch in Game 2, leaving the starting pitcher’s spot open for Dovid Flamm to step into. While he didn’t pitch poorly, control issues put 6 NEK batters on base in the first 3 innings, contributing to 7 runs crossing the plate.

After 3, NEK was up 7-6 and we were on our way to a highly competitive game. Rabbi Dave Finkelstein came on in relief to start the 4th inning and gave up only 2 runs the rest of the way. After the top half the 7th inning, the score was NEK 9-8 but DCD came back to tie the game in the bottom half of the innings sending the game into extra innings.

Rabbi Dave kept his clutch performance going with a non-traditional 1-2-3 inning in the 8th. NEK led off the inning with a grounder to third which Flamm fielded cleanly but threw wildly to first base. First baseman Yoni Rosenblatt tracked the ball down add threw a strike to third nailing the runner. The tag applied by Dan Gutman was perfect as was the throw. This set the stage for the bottom half of the inning.

With one out, Rabbi Dave came up with the bases loaded and a chance to win the game. In dramatic fashion, he hit a groundball that the third baseman was unable to field cleanly and Flamm scored the winning run running hard from third.

It was a clutch performance by Rabbi Dave and the entire DCD team, scoring a run in each of the final 4 innings to win the game 10-9.

Weirdly enough, 14 out of the 15 DCD hits were singles again, with the sole non-single being a Rosenblatt double in the first.

Hitting stars for DCD in Game 2:
B. Gutman 2-4, 2 singles, 3 runs
Rosenblatt 3-4, 2 singles, 1 double, 1 rbi
Luxenberg 2-4, 2 singles, 2 rbi
Flamm 2-4, 2 singles, 1 run
Gross 3-4, 3 singles, 1 rbi, 2 runs