2008 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Week 3:  April 20, 2008

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Game 1: LOFT 13 (WP-Andy Peksa 1-2) NEK Entertaiment 12 (LP-Jeff Harris 0-1) 

With storms looming in the area LOFT knew if they wanted a win this Sunday they would have to do something they have only done once in franchise history; win game 1. The game started off with NEK scoring 5 runs in the top of the 1st. LOFT responded with 2 in the bottom half on a 2 run inside the park home run by Matt "Flash" Boden. LOFT then took the lead 6-5 in the bottom of the third off a rbi double from Kory Rosenberg, a 2 rbi double from Dan Mabry and a rbi single from Andy Peksa. The lead didn't last long as NEK took the lead in the top half of the 5th 6-5 and added insurance runs in the 6th and 7th innings. LOFT was able to get 1 back in the bottom of the 6th, but came up trailing by 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th. LOFT took a patient approach at the plate as Kory Rosenberg walked, Dan Mabry singled and then Andy Peksa singled to load the bases for Brett "Hollywood" Henry. Henry stepped to the plate with a new found confidence at the plate and ripped a rbi single to left field. Jeff Kapper then followed that up with a rbi single. LOFT had 2 runs in and bases still loaded, Adam Crothers grounded into a fielders choice, but the third run of the inning scored. Jimmy Gibbons stepped to the plate looking for his first hit of the day, but flew out to left on a sac fly scoring LOFT's 4th run of the inning. LOFT now had 2 down with a runner on first and down a run when Michael Bowen came to the plate, Bowen ripped a single with a 2 base error allowing him to get to third and Crothers to score the tieing run. This brought up Brandon "BMabes" Mabry with a chance to win the game with a base hit. Mabry worked the count in his favor before ripping a line drive single to left field to score Bowen and win the game for LOFT!! Gary Thorne who took the day off from MASN sports to call the game had this to say after the game, "LOFT really seems to have a different look and attitude this season. They are still learning to play together with the newcomers coming in, but it really looks like every week they have a chance to win."

Offensive Stars for LOFT:
Brandon Mabry: 3-4; 2B, 2 1B, BB, R, game winning RBI single
Matt Boden: 2-4; HR, 1B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Michael Bowen: 3-5; 3 1B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Dan Mabry: 3-4; 3B, 2B, 1B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Kory Rosenberg: 2-3; 2B, 1B, BB, 2 R, RBI
Andy Peksa: 3-4; 3 1B, R, RBI
Brett Henry: 3-4; 3 1B, R, RBI

Game 2:  LOFT 4 (current pitcher Kory Rosenberg) NEK Entertainment 0  (game suspended in b-4th inning with NEK at bat)

LOFT was coming off a high in game 1 and looked to Kory Rosenberg to make his first start of the season. All the team was looking for was for Rosenberg to throw strikes and he did just that, holding NEK scoreless thru the first 3 innings before play was suspended due to rain. LOFT scored 1 in the 2nd off a Jeff Kapper rbi single. LOFT then scored 3 more in the top of the third off a Matt Boden 2 rbi double and then the third run off an outfield error on Dan Mabry's fly ball to left. LOFT took the field in the bottom of the 4th inning, but then the clouds opened up and the rain came, play was suspended until the next matchup between LOFT and NEK takes place.


Game 1 and 2 notes:

- Although only 2 weeks into the season Brett Henry is batting .500, a number no one thought was possible, even only 2 weeks into the season (must be the vodka and pineapples from the night before!)
- L.O.F.T. hadn't won a game 1 before today since July 2006 against the Stingers.
- The umpire from this week (Brian) told Matt Boden he owes him a crab cake.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Game 1: Kings 10 (WP- Chuck Grant 3-0) Sky & Sky Inc. 9 (LP-Larry Newman 1-1)  

The Kings' Jan Katzen singled home one, while newcomer Arin Gelletly tripled home two more for the early 3-0 lead. Meanwhile two triples and an un-caught ball in LF allowed Sky & Sky to answer with 4 of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Scott Felton doubled home one in the b-2nd, but three singles to start the t-3rd by the Kings knotted things at 5 after three. As the Herr (on the) mound experiment ended after two innings, Chuck Grant shut the door on the Sky & Sky bats for three straight innings. His teammates added a run in the 4th & 5th respectively, but the second time through the Sky & Sky line-up produced better fortunes for their hitters. Five hits, including back-to-back triples, vaulted Sky & Sky back into the lead by one after 6 innings. Detour Dave's opposite field double down the LF line got things started for the Kings in t-7th. An error and two singles later, Jan Katzen hit a a SF for one insurance run, putting the Kings ahead by two. With first and third and two down, Brian Sky doubled into shallow center. Electing to not intentionally walk the bases loaded, Grant induced the flyout for the final out preserving the 1-run win. Larry Newman was saddled with the loss. Steve Truitt went 2-3, SF, 2rbi, Brian Sky hit everything except a HR with 3 rbi and scored twice in four plate appearances, while Paul Hayes chipped in with two hits and a run.

These Kings had a multi-hit game in the opener:
Dave Sandler (2-4,2R,1 2B)
Shilo Merwitz (3-4,3 R, reached on error)
Jeff Slutzker (2-4,1 R,1 RBI)
Alan Varhaftik (2-2,2 R,2 RBI,W,K)
Jan Katzen (2-3,1 R,3 RBI,2B, reached on error)
Arin Gelletly (2-4,2 RBI,3B)
Troy Hendricks (2-3,1 R)
Game 2: Sky & Sky Inc. 6 (current pitcher- Alex Newman) Kings 2 (current pitcher-Chuck Grant) game suspended with Kings batting to start b-5th inning

After an offensively charged game 1, game 2 starters Chuck Grant and Alex Newman shut down the offenses for the first 3 innings. Sky went to the lead in t-4th scoring 4 times. Andy Bloom singled and Elliot Blank doubled in front of an Andrew Van Landingham 2 RBI 3B over the head of Kings RCF Troy Hendricks. Alex Newman followed with an RBI 1B and used his speed to advance to second base on Paul Hayes' flyout to LCF. Eric Gertner came through with a 2 out RBI 2B, giving Sky 4-0 lead. Kings halved the lead in b-4th on an Arin Gelletly 2 run HR to LCF, scoring Alan Varhaftik (2B) in front of him. Sky got back those 2 runs in their next offensive chance. The first 4 batters in the inning reached safely to load the bases-- Scott Felton 1B, Steve Truitt walk, Glenn Ackman infield 1B. Andy Bloom hit an RBI 1B and Brian Sky had an RBI fielder's choice, giving Sky 6-2 lead after 4 1/2 innings.

Before the Kings could bat in b-5th, heavy rain fell causing the suspension of game 2. The teams will meet later this season and will resume this game prior to their next scheduled doubleheader.

Kings notes:

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Game 1: Havana Club Cannons 8 (WP- Mark Yokel 2-0)  Stingers 5 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 0-2)  

Stingers got things together this week and kept the bats of the Cannons cooled off with a chilly morning breeze. Darron Tabatznik started off by taking care of the side with help from his speedy outfield. Stingers got things going in the b-1st when Sean Murphy drilled a shot into the outstretched gloves of the Cannons to plate Buchman and Palo and go up with an early 2-0 lead on the Cannons. Cannons came back to tie it though in the t-3rd. Then again did some more damage against the Stingers plating 4 in the t-5th and two more in the t-6th to take the lead by 6. Stingers were not going down without a fight and Tabatznik helped out his cause in addition to his well pitched game with run support by Densky and himself to put runners on the bags. Jeb Buchman would then place a shot into centerfield with a triple to plate Densky and Tabatznik. The Stingers would be within 3 of the Cannons, but even with dazzling, speedy catches from the Stingers outfield they would let this game get away.

Game 2:  Havana Club Cannons 4 (WP- Tom Paulshock 2-0)  Stingers 3 (LP-Mark Wienner 0-1)  

Game 2 brought a new face out for the Stingers and high hopes of pulling off their first win of the season. Tim Palo would continue his offensive streak with a single to put him on the bags followed by Sean Murphy’s shot to have runners in scoring position. Sheridan drilled a triple to the fence scoring 2 for the Stingers and start the game with a lead. Mike Beverly got his bat going again with a tailing single to bring in Sheridan with a 3-0 lead. Mark Wienner took the mound and held the Cannons to only 2 runs through four innings accompanied by brilliant playing by his outfield as usual. It would be Mother Nature to prevail the unlucky Stingers with the Cannons taking a 1 run lead after plating two in the b-5th. Top of the sixth with a 1 run game at hand, the Stingers were getting to bat and strike back in the top of the sixth when the Stingers would be shut out by Mother Nature’s downpours giving the Cannons the game due to playing of five innings and the rain prevailing.