2008 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Week 12:  June 22, 2008

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Game 1: Kings 13 (WP-Chuck Grant 12-1) Stingers 4 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 1-4) 

It took until week #13 for the Kings to finally meet the Stingers in the 2008 season. In a game that was much closer than the final score indicated, the Kings won the opener 13-4. The Stingers came out of the gate strong with 6 of their 10 hits in the 1st inning. 2 out RBI singles by Sean Murphy, Stuart Sheridan, and James Engler led to 4 runs, the only 4 runs that the Stingers would manage all game. In Kings b-2nd, Alan Varhaftik hit a 1 out 3B and scored on Keegan Rettaliata's RBI 1B. With the Kings trailing 4-1 into b-3rd, the Kings offense went into high gear against Stingers starter Darron Tabatznik, making his first start since May 4th. The first 4 Kings batters reached on 3 singles and a walk, loading the bases for Jeff Slutzker. Slutzker delivered a SF to LCF and was followed by an Arin Gelletly 3 RBI HR. The Kings led 6-4 after the 3rd inning and added to their lead in each of the remaining innings.

Troy Hendricks led off with a single in b-4th and scored on Rob Barrow's SF. The Kings took a commanding lead with 4 more runs in b-5th. 6 hits in the inning including RBI hits by Sluzker (RBI 2B), Keegan Rettaliata (2 RBI 1B), and Chuck Grant (RBI 1B) led the barrage. In b-6th, singles by Mike Herr, Koby Sarubin, and Slutzker (RBI) gave the Kings their 11th run of the game.

Stingers met up this morning with the Kings looking to turn the corner. Stingers opened up early in the morning plating 4 from slippery singles and an RBI single from Stuart Sheridan. Tabatznik took the mound for the Stingers and kept the Stingers out in front through 2 1/2 innings of play. It would be the Kings who would take control of the game thereafter. Kings would keep the Stingers at bay for another game.

Offensive stars for Stingers:
Greg Cooper (2-3,1 R)
Sean Murphy (1-2,1 R,1 RBI,W)

Kings multi-hit players:
Shilo Merwitz (2-3,2 R,2B)
Jeff Slutzker (2-2,1 R,3 RBI,2B,W,SF)
Jan Katzen (2-4,1 R)
Alan Varhaftik (2-3,2 R,3B)
Keegan Rettaliata (2-3,1 R,3 RBI)
Mike Herr (3-3,2 R)

Game 2: Kings 11 (WP-Chuck Grant 13-1) Stingers 4 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 1-5) 

The Kings put forth another solid effort in the nightcap and Chuck Grant was solid on the mound, allowing just 5 hits in 6 innings of work. The Kings won by a final score of 11-4. Darron Tabatznik again took the mound against Grant in the second half of the doubleheader.

In t-1st, Kings scored an unearned run with Kenny Salzman reaching on a dropped fly ball and Dave Sandler proving the error costly, following with an RBI 1B. The Stingers knotted the score in b-1st with Jeb Buchman and Greg Cooper (RBI) providing singles that led to the run. In t-2nd, Chuck Grant 3B with 1 out was followed by RBI singles by Mike Herr, and Salzman, along with a SF by Shilo Merwitz. Merwitz was actually robbed of an extra basehit as Stingers LF Jeb Buchman made an excellent over-the-shoulder catch near the warning track. Arin Gelletly hit a leadoff 3B in t-3rd and scored on Keegan Rettaliata's RBI groundout.

Leading 5-1 after 3 innings, the Kings did not feel safe with their lead, well aware of the Stingers coming back from an 8-0 deficit last week against the Cannons. In t-4th, the Kings scored 3 runs during a 2 out rally with RBI singles by Dave Sandler and Merwitz. The Kings failed to score in the t-5th, the only inning in which they did not score in the game, but 1 run in t-6th and 2 runs in t-7th gave the Kings a safe 11-1 lead entering the b-7th.

Shilo Merwitz relieved Grant in the b-7th and yielded 4 hits, 1 walk, and 3 runs, but the Kings came out well ahead 11-4.

The late game started out in a similar fashion as the morning, but in a flip flop manner. Kings plated 2 to start off the game, but the Stingers would come back with one of their own runs from Greg Cooper's single to bring in Jeb Buchman who had doubled two batter's previous. It would be the most the Stingers would be able to string together.

Stingers offensive leaders:
Jeb Buchman (2-3,1 R,2B)
Tim Palo (1-2,1 R,W)

Kings offensive leaders:
Kenny Salzman (2-3,3 R,1 RBI,W)
Dave Sandler (4-4,1 R,2 RBI)
Shilo Merwitz (2-3,3 RBI,SF)
Arin Gelletly (2-3,2 R,3B,W)

Kings game notes:

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Game 1: Eastern Savings Bank 17 (WP-Tzvi Friedman 4-4)  LOFT 5 (LP-Andy Peksa 3-9) 5 Innings

LOFT came out in game 1 scoring quickly in the top of the 1st off 2 RBI singles from Jeff Kapper and newcomer Pete. ESB was able to answer quickly in the bottom half of the inning tieing the score 4-4. ESB was able to continue to score runs as LOFT's defense really struggled with some of their regular outfielders still missing. ESB made short work of the game winning in 5 innings.

 Offensive Stars for LOFT:
 Brandon Mabry: 3-3; 2 1B, 3B, R, RBI
Jeff Kapper: 2-3; 2 1B, R, 2 RBI
Pete: 1-2; 1B, 2 RBI

Game 2: LOFT 6 (WP-Andy Peksa 4-9) Eastern Savings Bank 5 (LP-David Finkelstein 1-2)  

LOFT came out in game 2 looking to try and earn a split on the day. The only real positive from game 1 was the fact that starting pitcher Andy Peksa found out that ESB really struggled with the change up. Andy Peksa decided to go with the change up on almost every pitch and it worked at well as ESB was only able to muster 5 runs in the game. LOFT took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st off an RBI triple from Andy Peksa and a RBI single from Bob Santos. ESB was able to come back and take the lead 5-2 during the 2nd and 3rd innings and it stayed that way until the bottom of the 5th. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th LOFT had the bases loaded with Andy Peksa coming to the plate. Peksa worked the count to 3-1 and got his pitch and ripped it up the middle for a 2 RBI single, the outfielder made an error on the play and let it get by him scoring another run on the play and advancing Peksa all the way to third. LOFT was unable to plate the go ahead run, but did tie the game up. In the top of the 6th Peksa was able to retire the side 1-2-3 giving LOFT a chance to take the lead in the bottom half. Despite a lead off single from Pete who later advanced to third on a single from Michael Bowen, LOFT was unable to take the lead. Peksa once again retired the side 1-2-3 in the top half of the 7th, giving them a chance to do what they do best, win the game in the bottom of the 7th inning. Adam Crothers led off the inning with a single, followed up by a Jimmy Gibbons single advancing Crothers to third on the hit and Gibbons to 2nd on the throw to 3rd base. ESB was able to retire lead off man Brandon Mabry without giving up the winning run. ESB then pitched around Jeff Kapper robbing him of the opportunity to drive in the game winning run for a 2nd week in a row. This brought up Andy Peksa who already had 3 RBI in the game for a chance to win the game. Peksa knew all he had to do was hit a fly ball to the outfield and the game was over. On the 0-1 pitch he did just that hitting a routine fly to left center easily scoring Crothers from third base to give LOFT the split on the day.

Offensive Stars for LOFT:
Andy Peksa: 2-3; 1B, 3B, Sac Fly, R, 4 RBI
Jimmy Gibbons: 3-3; 3 1B, R
Adam Crothers: 2-2; 2 1B, BB, 2 R
Brett Henry: 2-3; 2 1B

Notes:
- With LOFT's beat writer out of town last week on vacation no write up was submitted, but it should be noted that former LOFT team Captain, Ryan Mente, made his season debut against NEK and Brooks Sandler made his LOFT debut, also against NEK, going 3-5 with a triple and 2 RBI.
- This marked LOFT's 3rd walk off victory of the season and 2nd in 2 weeks, after scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th the previous week to beat NEK.
- In game 2 Andy Peksa was able to retire the final 9 ESB batters in order to earn his 4th victory on the season.


Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 8 (WP- Larry Newman 9-3)  Havana Club Cannons 7 (LP-Tom Paulshock 7-1)  8 Innings

Sky and Sky got off to a hot start with consecutive singles by Steve Truitt, Glenn Ackman, Andrew VanLandingham and Pat Wilcox off starter Tom Paulshock. Paulshock almost worked out of a big inning, but Eric Gertner, Elliot Blank and Paul Hayes had clutch two-out hits to give Sky & Sky an early 6-0 lead. The Cannons fought back with two in their half of the inning as Neal Charkatz knocked in 2 runs. The bats went cold for both teams until the walks finally caught up with starter Alex Newman. The Cannons put up 3 runs in the b-4th, leaving Sky & Sky with just a 6-5 lead. Neither team scored in the 5th, as Larry Newman relieved "sonny boy" in the b-5th. In the b-6th, the Cannons took their first lead as Shawn Warner knocked in Jeff Kurland with a triple to tie the game. Warner scored on an infield error and the Cannons led 7-6 at the end of the six. Andy Bloom led off the top of the 7th with a triple to center, and Elliot Blank hit a sac fly to tie the game. Larry Newman got the bottom of the line-up out in order in the b-7th, sending the game to extra innings. Three walks in the top of the 8th helped give Sky & Sky the lead in the 8th, with Pat Wilcox driving in the go ahead run with a single. The Cannons avoided a big inning as Sky left the bases loaded. The Cannons had two hits in the b-8th, but solid defense by second baseman Brian Mekiliesky ended the threat. Final score was 8-7.


Offensive stars for Sky & Sky:
Pat Wilcox, 2-4, R, 2RBI
Eric Gertner, 2-2, R, RBI
Elliot Blank, 1-2, 2B, 3RBI

Offensive stars for Canons:
Jeff Kurland, 2-2, 3R
Shawn Warner, 2-5, 3B, R, 3RBI
Neal Charkatz, 2-4, 2RBI

Game 2:  Sky & Sky Inc. 11 (WP- Larry Newman 10-3)  Havana Club Cannons 3 (LP-Tom Paulshock 7-2)  


In game 2 Larry Newman took the hill against Paulshock. The score was tied at 2 after 4 innings. Sky & Sky finally took a 5-2 lead in the b-5th as the speedy Brian Weiss led off with a single. Pat Wilcox, Brian Mekiliesky and Andy Bloom delivered two-out hits. The Cannons got one back in the t-6th as Warner tripled and scored on a sac fly by Tim Grap. Sky & Sky broke it open with 6 runs in the b-6th. Andrew VanLandingham dealt the big blow with a 3-run triple to right center.

Offensive stars for Sky & Sky:
Steve Truitt, 3-4, R, RBI
Brian Mekiliesky, 3-4, 3B, R, 2RBI
Elliot Blank, 3-3
Glenn Ackman, 2-3, R, RBI
Pat Wilcox, 2-4, 3B, 2R, RBI
Andy Bloom, 2-3, 2B, 2RBI
Andrew Vanlandingham, 1-3, 3B, 3RBI

Offensive stars for Canons:
Tim Grap, 2-2, 2R, RBI
Johnny Edelman, 2-3
Jeff Kurland, 2-3


Northwest Regional Park Field 4:

Game 1: NEK Entertainment 10 (WP- Ted Winner 2-1)  Northwest Corridor 8 (LP-Howard Goldberg 4-11)  

NEK stepped to the plate first ready to do battle with longtime rival NWC for the first time in the 2008 season. Howard Goldberg started things off on the mound for NWC and NEK went down quietly in a 1-2-3 inning. NWC managed just a single in their half of the 1st inning. NEK started the scoring off in the 2nd taking advantage of some sloppy NWC defensive play. 3 runs would score for NEK, a misplaced ball in RF that resulted in an inside the park homer, a walk, 2 singles and a double drove home the other 2 runs. NWC tried to crawl back in it in the bottom of the inning. Dave Stein led off with a triple to centerfield, Eric Radom drew a walk and Aaron Birenbaum knocked Stein home on a sac fly. NEK came out swinging in the 3rd crunching a leadoff single followed by a hard hit double. Back to back infield errors from NWC helped NEK score 3 more runs to gain a 6-1 lead. NWC went down easily in the 3rd but managed to get one run back in the 4th. Brad Rosenberg singled to left off of Winner and Eric Radom tripled him home with a well hit ball to right centerfield. Already with 6-2 lead NEK tried to close the game out in the 5th inning scoring 4 more runs. Down 10-2 and having lost all the momentum in the game NWC rallied in the bottom of the 6th to pull within 2 runs. Matt Bell led the inning off with a single, Brad Rosenberg and Dave Stein singled to follow him but good NEK defense held the runners on base. It wouldn't matter since Eric Radom came up with the bases loaded and knocked Bell and Stein home. Aaron Birenbaum and Lee Pollak both followed with rbi base hits and NWC went from lifeless to down 10-6. With 2 out in the inning Jon Herbst kept the rally alive sending a double down the right field line, Birenbaum and Pollak scored moving NWC to within 2 runs 10-8. NEK was shut out of the top of the 7th and NWC came up to bat in the bottom 7th ready to rally for a victory. Bell started off with a leadoff single. Winner then got Goldberg to fly out to left center and Stein to the right side. With 2 outs and hope slipping away Rosenberg singles and Radom drew a walk to load the bases. Down by 2, bases loaded, 2 out bottom of the 7th, Winner was able to induce a flyball out #3 to seal the victory.

Hitting Stars NWC:
Brad Rosenberg 3-4 2r
Eric Radom 2-2 2BB 3b 3rbi r
Matt Bell 2-3 BB r
David Stein 2-4 2r 3b

Game 2: Northwest Corridor 10 (WP- Howard Goldberg 5-11)  NEK Entertainment 7 (LP-Albert Hoffman 0-1)  

Another very close well fought game from both sides. NWC faced new NEK pitcher Albert for the first time with just 9 players available for game #2. NWC jumped out to the early lead plating 2 runs. Jon Herbst started the game off with a leadoff walk. Joey Liner followed with a single. A flyball to left and a fielder's choice later NWC rallied with 2 outs getting rbi singles from Brad Rosenberg and Dave Stein. NEK didn't waste any opportunities to tie the game scoring their first two batter to even the score. The game would stay tied at 2 until the 4th inning when a Joey Liner sac fly scored Aaron Birenbaum. NWC added to their lead in the 5th with yet another 2 out rally. Brad Rosenberg came to bat with two outs and drilled a ball to the fence for an inside the park homer. Lee Pollak singled to left field and Aaron Birenbaum hit another blast to the fence for the 2nd homer of the inning. Down 6-2 NEK scraped 2 runs back in their half of the 5th to stay in the ballgame. Ted Winner came in for Albert in the 6th to try and shut the NWC offense down. NWC added one more run to the lead when Dave Stein doubled home Joey Liner. NEK took that run right back in the bottom of the 6th. NWC added 3 more insurance runs in the 7th inning getting rbi's from Liner, Herbst and Goldberg. Behind 10-5 bottom of the 7th NEK refused to go quietly scoring 2 more to stage a mini comeback but the end result was a NWC victory 10-7. A double header split. Having to go a man down and three outfielders NWC got great OF play from Joey Liner, Jon Herbst and Matt Silverman.

Hitting Stars For NWC:
Aaron Birenbaum 3-4 3r hr 2rbi roe
Brad Rosenberg 3-4 r hr 2rbi
Joey Liner 3-4 r 2bi SF