Pikesville Men's Softball League 2008 Season April

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc 6 (WP-Larry Newman 1-0) Eastern Savings Bank 4 (LP-H. Kagan 0-1)

The first game had Sky & Sky out of the gates early in the t-1st as Glenn Ackman doubled home two, and eventually came around to score on consecutive fly balls. Eastern Savings Bank answered with one run, but both team's bats then fell relatively silent adding one run a piece over the next three innings. Eastern Savings Bank cut the lead to two runs as newly acquired Anfernee led off the b-5th with a triple. Brain Sky singled home two in the t-6th for Sky & Sky, while ESB played station to station softball for two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The score of 6-4 held for a final as Larry Newman picked up his first victory of the new season. ESB's H. Kagan pitched quite well (especially for an out of town rookie) in his league debut, despite taking the loss. Sky & Sky's Glenn Ackman picked up from where he left off in 2007 (2B,1B, 3rbi, 1 run) and newly acquired outfielder John Sims added two hits to an otherwise lackluster hitting performance by Sky & Sky.

Game 2: Eastern Savings Bank 6 (WP-David Finkelstein 1-0) Sky & Sky Inc 5 (LP- Alex Newman 0-1)

Game two was another close game seesawing back and forth for 7 innings using familiar formulas from game 1. Elliot Blank doubled home one and used consecutive fly balls to score himself in the b-1st, but ESB used four singles to plate two of their own knotting things up. Sky & Sky regained the lead with a John Sims SF. ESB took the lead in the t-4th plating both of the leadoff free passes issued by Alex Newman. The one run lead quickly evaporated as Sky & Sky's Andrew VanLandingham doubled home two runs. Alex Newman followed that up with a single giving Sky & Sky an opportunity to do some major damage. Eric Gertner strode to the plate with two runners on, no outs, and two runs already in. Having the advance scouting report, Finkelstein shifted his RF(Joe Rombro) back and over to the line. Gertner seemed to scoff at the scouting report hitting a high pop into shallow RF. Anxious to try and score from first base, Alex Newman broke on contact. He slowed up rounding second, just to make sure the ball dropped in front of the hard-charging Rombro. It appeared the ball was going to drop, but out of nowhere a sliding Rombro made the catch, and immediately threw for second base figuring that the runner from third base would score easily. Newman was doubled off first after the catch and VanLandingham jogged in to score the third run of the inning. However, ESB decided to throw the ball to third base just in case the runner left early. Violà--it was ruled that he had jumped the gun, so the standard issue 10-4-3-2-5 triple play rescued pitcher David Finkelstein & ESB from a larger deficit. After the minor commotion and explanation from the umpire, both teams' defenses stepped up for two innings, as Sky & Sky clung tightly to their one-run lead. In the t-7th a leadoff triple and three singles vaulted a resilient ESB into the lead with the bottom of Sky & Sky line-up due up in the b-7th. Two quick outs dampened the home team's spirits, but two singles had everyone back in "rally formation". Finkelstein ultimately notched a strike out for the rally-ending win as Alex Newman absorbed a tough luck loss. Elliot Blank led the offense with his two hits, while 9 of the remaining 10 slots in the Sky & Sky batting order provided exactly one base knock.

Game 1: Northwest Corridor 17 (WP-Howard Goldberg 1-0) Stingers 7 (LP-Mike Densky 0-1)

Stingers opened the 2008 season with a bit of rust. Mike Densky came in and lended a hand to get the morning started. The first inning saw very little action as Howard Goldberg and the senior Densky traded off pitches. NWC stroked first in the top of the 2nd to take a 1-0 lead. The Stingers came back with a run of their own as Aaron Shifrin made it on base and Matt Friedman poked a double to plate Shifrin. NWC came back in the third as they had the field tipped in their favor with a 4 run inning to take the lead. Stingers would claw back with two of their own as Tim Palo and Stuart Sheridan made their way on base by walks issued to them that was followed by the timely single from Shifrin to plate them both and come within 2. Again NWC would pull ahead and expand their lead in the 5th. With bases loaded again from walks issued to Palo, Mike Beverly and Stuart Sheridan, Sean Murphy drove a shot to plate all three bags and pull the Stingers together for a short rally. It would be too little too late ad NWC took the morning game from the Stingers.

NWC opened the highly anticipated 2008 season versus their preseason scrimmage partner The Stingers. In the top of the 1st inning NWC scrapped 3 baserunners off of 1st time foe Mike Densky but couldn't capitalize by scoring any runs. The Stingers drew one walk in their half of the inning mixed in with 3 groundballs for a pretty uneventful 1st inning of the young season. Both teams matched runs in the 2nd inning. NWC would plate their first run after a Matt Silverman double and consecutive singles from Aaron Birenbaum and Brad Rosenberg. The NWC middle of the order tried to break things open in the 3rd inning. Scott Sweren led the inning off with one of his 3 hits of the game. Howard Goldberg and Adam Silverman back to back base hits continued the rally. Densky had trouble finding the strike zone for a few batters and NWC's patient hitters took advantage drawing two bases loaded walks. The Stingers would get a couple runs back in the 4th inning taking advantage of a few Goldberg bases on balls but were shut down in order in the 5th. NWC batted around in the 5th inning breaking the game wide open by piling on 8 runs. Jon Herbst delivered a deep 2run triple to right center and Scott Sweren poked a slicing 2run double to right field. The lead was too much for the Stingers to make up however their never say die attitude rallied them 4 more runs in the last 2 innings. Joey Liner was outstanding all game in left field. Earning an outfield assist after nailing a runner at third base adding to his game # 1 high 6 outfield putouts.

Game #1 NWC Hitting Highlights:
Jon Herbst 3-4 2r BB 4rbi 3B
Scott Sweren 3-4 2r 3rbi 2B SF
Adam Silverman 3-5 2r rbi
Lee Pollak 2-4 R BB 3rbi 3B

Game 2: Northwest Corridor 4 (WP- Howard Goldberg 2-0) Stingers 2 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 0-1)

The second game became the closer battle that these two teams are used to. Mirroring their last couple playoff games against each other. The Stingers threw Darren Tabatznik on the mound and Goldberg continued the 2nd game for NWC. The Stingers managed a base hit in the top of the first but a flyout to center field and groundballs to the pitcher and 1st baseman Dave Stein sat them down without plating any runs. NWC still hungry after their game one victory came out shooting. Joey Liner led off the game with a single followed by A single from Scott Sweren. Dave Stein drove Liner home with an rbi single and Sweren scored after a Goldberg sac fly to centerfield. Matt Bell would also single to keep the rally alive but NWC wasn't able to build on their early lead. Goldberg started to shake off the offseason rust in game two retiring The Stingers in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings without allowing any runs. The Stingers managed just 4 baserunners off of Goldberg in the first 5 innings. NWC added two more runs to their lead in the 3rd inning. Matt Bell singled home Goldberg and Scott Sweren delivered a sac fly to right center plating Joey Liner. Down 4runs going into the 6th inning The Stingers led off with a single to right field. Mike Beverly stepped up to bat and drilled a bullet line drive to right center that slipped under the glove of an outstretched Jon Herbst. After doing his best Jim Edmonds impression Herbst was flattened like a pancake in the outfield helpless while the well hit ball rolled to the back of the fence and Beverly rounded the bases with a 2run homer. That would be all The Stingers could muster going down in order in the 7th with three consecutive groundball outs to shortstop Brad Rosenberg. The NWC defense played very well again getting great outfield play and continued web gem sportscenter highlights by Adam Silverman at 3rd base.

Stingers tried getting onto the positive side but had very luck go their way early in the late game. NWC took the lead with two in the bot-1st and would tag on two more again in the bot-3rd. NWC kept the lead until the top of the 6th when Friedman dropped in a shot to center and gave the Stingers a base runner for Beverly's at bat. With 2 down and a runner on first, Beverly drove a ball to RC that skipped over the charging outfielder to plate himself and Friedman that would bring the Stingers within 2. Unfortunately it would again be too little too late. The Stingers took the drop but did improve their playing behind Tabatznik.

Game #2 NWC Hitting Highlights:
Joey Liner 2-2 2r BB
Adam Silverman 2-3 2B
Matt Bell 2-3 rbi

Game Notes:
>NWC's defense committed zero errors in the doubleheader. The outfield defense produced highlight catches all morning from Liner, Sweren and Herbst. Matt Silverman had his own shoestring catch in rightfield in game #2
>Goldberg pitched a gem in game #2 allowing just 5 hits and 1BB in 7 innings
>Stein and Goldberg 1 & 2 in most of NWC's record books will both reach the 400 AB plateau next game. Stein is just 5 hits away from becoming the 2nd NWC player to achieve 200 hits.
>Scott Sweren became the 3rd NWC player to hit the 200 total bases milestone.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Game 1: Havana Club Cannons 22 (WP- Mark Yokel 1-0) NEK Entertainment 2 (LP-David Pridgen 0-1) 5 Innings

The new look Cannons started of their title defense with an outstanding offensive game that made people forget the 3 players lost from last season’s Championship team. In the fits inning the Cannons jumped out 3-0 keyed by Chuck Easter and Tim Grap rbi singles. Shawn Warner had a fantastic day going 4-4 and blasting homerun to RF in route to a game high 7 rbis.

Yokel shut down NEK, and in the second the game was opened as the Cannons plated 7 runs while 12 batters came to the plate. The first 7 batters reached base. Mark Yokel tripled over the RCF’s head to bring in the first run of the inning, and the Cannons never looked back. The Cannons scored at least one run in each of their at-bats, going for 3,7,5,1, and 6 runs.

In a cameo, Gerry Edelman went 2-2 with 3 rbis while ripping singles to all fields.

Hitting stars for the Cannons:
Johnny Edelman 3-4, BB 4 runs scored
Neal Charkatz 3-4, BB 4 runs scored 2 rbis
Chuck Easter 3-3, 3 runs, 3 rbis
Shawn Warner 4-4, HR, 7 rbis
Kenny Enslin 3-4, 4 runs scored

Game 2: Havana Club Cannons 11 (WP-Tom Paulshock 1-0) NEK Entertainment 10 (LP-David Pridgen 0-2)

Game 2 was a completely different game that the previous one. The cannons bats started slow, and Tommy Paulshock was wild, and when he found the zone was getting too much of the plate. NEK jumped out to a 8-2 lead after 3 and half innings, but the Cannons bats finally awoke from their slumber.

The b-4th bought 12 cannons batters to the plate, keyed by a Steve Hayes crushed knuckleball to CF bringing in a run, an Evan Kreitzer 2 run Homerun, and clutch Chuck Easter 3 run shot to RCF that tied the game after the Cannons went in down 6 runs.

NEK came right back and pushed another run across the plate in the T5th, while Tommy settled in and started to find the corners. Down 10-9, the Cannons again came alive in the B6th. Johnny Edelman walked, and Charkatz grounded into a fielders choice. Easter singled, Charkatz moved to 3rd, and Shawn Warner came up and smashed his second homerun of the day to RCF and gave the Cannons a 2 run lead.

NEK was able to get a run across in the T7th, and Tommy induced a pop out to SS with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd to close out the game in hair-raising fashion.

After getting destroyed in Game 1, N.E.K came to play in Game 2. N.E.K led @ one point in the game 9-2. However, after the wind stop blowing in during the early innings, the Cannons' bats resembled the teams name. The Cannons hit three homeruns in the 2nd game to beat N.E.K in a game that was very entertaining.

Hitting stars for Cannons in game 2:
Edelman 0-1, 3 BB’s 2 runs scored
Easter 2-4, 3 rbis, 2 runs scored
Warner 2-3, 4 rbis HR

Hitting stars for N.E.K on the day:
Peter Griffin 4-6, 3 R.B.I's
David "Bern" Pridgen 4-6, 5 runs scored
Stephen "Mikey" Georgie 4-8, 1 R.B.I, 2 run scored
Jason Gardner, 4-7, 1 R.B.I
Rashaad "Shaad" Johnson, 4-8, 1 2b, 2 runs scored

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Game 1: Kings 17 (WP- Chuck Grant 1-0 ) L.O.F.T. 2 (LP-Andy Peksa 0-1) 4 Innings

The Kings batted around in the 2nd inning, scoring 9 runs and batted around again in the 4th inning scoring 8 runs to end the game in 4 innings 17-2. Kings pitcher Chuck Grant, who was unable to participate in spring training with a back injury, returned with a mini-complete game. Alan Varhaftik and Arin Gelletly hit homers for the Kings in the 2008 season opener. LOFT's 2 runs came in the t-3rd with 3 extra basehits-- a Kory Rosenberg 1 out 3B, Brandon Mabry 2 out RBI 2B, and Matt 2 out RBI 2B. Andy Peksa took the loss for LOFT.

LOFT had a few of the new additions get sick over the weekend, but it didn't much matter as the Kings were in control after a big 2nd inning in which LOFT made a few critical errors leading to the Kings getting extra outs and scoring 9 runs. After that LOFT wasn't able to put together any offense at all and the dropped the season opener in decisive fashion.

Game 2 was a close game throughout, with the Kings coming out ahead 8-4. Kings got on the scoreboard in t-2nd with a Jeff Slutzker 2B and Arin Gelletly RBI 2B. LOFT took the lead with a 3 run b-2nd. Mike Markovich began the inning with a walk, Kory Rosenberg delivered a 1 out 2B, Jeff singled home Markovich with the tie run. With runners at the corners and just 1 out, Chuck Grant was able to retire Sean Eckhoff on an infield popup, but Brett Henry and Michael Leizear delivered clutch 2 out RBI singles to put LOFT ahead 3-1 after 2 innings. In t-3rd, Rob Barrow reached leading off inning on an infield error, Kenny Salzman drew a 1 out walk, Dave Sandler sent an RBI single over the firstbase bag, and Shilo Merwitz plated the tie run on a fielder's choice RBI groundout.

The Kings put together a rally in the t-4th with 3 hits and 2 walks to start the inning. An RBI single by Keegan Rettaliata and 2 RBI single by Rob Barrow were the key hits as the Kings scored 5 times, taking a 8-3 lead. LOFT threatened in b-5th getting runners on 1st and 2nd with just 1 out, but they were only able to produce 1 run and that came on a 2 out infield error. Grant closed out the game with a scoreless 6th and 7th inning, giving the Kings a sweep.

Jeff Slutzker (2-4,1 R,2B), Jan Katzen (2-2,1 R), Arin Gelletly (2-2,1 R,1 RBI,2B,W), and Keegan Rettaliata (2-3,1 R) had multi-hits for the Kings. For LOFT, Kory Rosenberg (2-3,1 R,2 2B,K) and Brett Henry (2-3,1 RBI) had 2 hit games.

Game 2 seemed to follow the same pattern as last year for LOFT as the team played a lot better and kept the game close. LOFT lead 3-1 after 2 innings and the game was tied 3-3 in the 3rd, but a 5 run 4th by the Kings pretty much sealed the deal as LOFT could not put together any string of hits to get the game back to even. New comer Matt Boden made a nice leaping grab up against the wall to rob an extra base hit from one of the Kings hitters in the game. LOFT switched up its defense in a few positions and limited the errors and kept it close, but could never get those 5 big runs the Kings scored in the 4th.

Offensive Stars for LOFT on the day:
Kory Rosenberg: 3-4 3B, 2 2B, 2 R
Brandon Mabry: 2B, BB, R
Michael Bowen: 2B, 1B, R, RBI