2008 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Week 13:  June 29, 2008

Deer Park Middle School Field 1:
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 11 (WP-Larry Newman 11-3) Stingers 7 (LP-Chad Hall 0-1) 

Sky & Sky bats tore out of the box with 4 runs in the t-1st as they used all fields and two walks to welcome The Stingers Chad Hall to the league. The major damage came off Andy Bloom's 2-rbi 3B, while Paul Hayes tripled in one as well. In the t-3rd, consecutive two-run HRs by Pat Wilcox and Andy Bloom staked Sky & Sky's lead to 7. However, The Stingers chipped away with the bottom of their line-up as all three spots in the order scored after singling in the b-3rd. Their 3-run b-6th cut the lead to one, but Sky & Sky's Mike Rotts' leadoff double over the head of The Stingers LF sparked the answer runs. Pat Wilcox doubled home Rotts, and Brian Sky used the short fences at Deer Park to provide Sky & Sky a 4-run cushion entering the last inning. With those three insurance runs safely tucked away in their back pocket, Larry Newman enjoyed a quiet b-7th riding the 11-7 lead to victory.

Andy Bloom missed hitting for the cycle by being nabbed at 2B on a perfect throw from The Stingers OF, while matching the margin of victory with his 4 rbi.

Stingers met up with Sky after 14 weeks. Chad Hall made his debut for the Stingers and was a little shaky at first. After a few batters the Stingers helped him out to hold Sky to only 4 runs. Tim Palo got things rolling offensively with a walk to bring Mike McGee to the plate who would push a ball past the Sky infield a score Palo. The second inning was quite for both teams as Nemo and Hall had their opponents respectively silenced. Stingers would give Sky a chance to distance the Stingers but the Stingers saw a 7 run deficit before and pulled together with the bottom of their lineup coming through with singles and plating 3 to bring the game a little closer at 8-4 Sky. Things stayed quite again as Nemo and Hall had a little help from their teammates through two more innings of play. In the b-6th, Stingers got the top of the line working for them this time as they would plate 3 more runs and come within 1 to tie, but it would be Sky for the morning 11-7.


Game 2: Sky & Sky Inc. 8 (WP-Larry Newman 12-3) Stingers 5 (LP-Darron Tabatznik 1-6) 

Stingers took the early lead with solid base hitting and plating two. Then a scary situation. In the b-1st Darron Tabatznik took a line drive of the front of his head from Truitt. He would stay in the game. Sky would only plate one. Tabatznik stayed on his game and the Stingers would extend their lead after three innings of play to be 3-1 Stingers. Sky would tee of a couple and come within one of the lead. The Stinger would constinue to work on turning the corner and extend the lead to two. Sky would come back with one of their own and keep it a one run game after five innings of play. Unfortunately Sky would pull away and take the lead 8-5 and the day.

The Stingers put a few on the board early as 2 errors and 3 hits allowed them to take a 2-0 lead in the t-1st. Meanwhile The Stingers' pitcher Darron Tabatznik started off game 2 in a particularly inauspicious fashion. His forehead redirected a line drive up the middle to a squibber into RCF, as everyone watched winced at his pain. Not to worry though, as apparently many other blows to the head which had preceeded this line drive lessened the effects of this first batter's hit. Tabatznik courageously stayed in the game, and pitched quite well throughout the rest of the contest. His teammates provided him a thin one and two run lead throughout most of the nightcap. Eventually The Stinger's defense let Tabatznik down as Sky & Sky erased the deficit during the b-6th. In fact two errors by The Stingers RF, and a third error during the inning was the only reason Sky & Sky plated 4 unearned runs in the frame carrying Alex Newman to the 8-5 victory.

Paul Hayes reached base in all 3 plate appearances, Elliot Blank added 2 hits & 2 rbi, while Pat Wilcox had a 2B & 2 rbi in 2 at-bats

Deer Park Middle School Field 2:
Game 1: Eastern Savings Bank 14 (WP-David Finkelstein 2-2) NEK Entertainment 8 (LP-Ted Winner 2-2) 

ESB came out in game one focused and ready to play. The bats were busy all day. Mark Loeb was a single away from hitting for the cycle. Cameron Brown chipped in with a long home run, a triple and four runs scored. Behind the solid pitching of grizzled veteran David Finkelstein, ESB took game one by the score of 15-8. Finkelstein also struck out 3 of the NEK players. Ted Winner commented that he thinks those were Finkelstein’s first strike outs that he could remember.

Offensive stars for NEK:
'Mikey' Stephen Georgie - 2/2, 2 rs, 2 r.b.i's
Rashaad Johnson- 3/3, 2 rs, 1 hr (inside the park), 2 r.b.i's
Jason Gardner- 1/3, HR
Damon Corbin - 2/3

Game 2:  NEK Entertainment 13 (WP-Ted Winner 3-2)  Eastern Savings Bank 7 (LP-David Finkelstein 2-3) 

ESB has had trouble all season with game two. This week was no different. NEK scored a run in the first and then with the bases loaded and two outs a fly ball was missed in the outfield causing 3 unearned runs to score. ESB battled back to make it 4-2 and then 4-3 but then another fly ball was misplayed in the outfield and ESB fell behind 6-3 in the third. ESB didn’t give up by scoring 2 runs in the fourth but NEK kept the pressure on and rolled to the victory. Ted Winner pitched a good game and got out of bases loaded jams in the sixth and seventh innings. ESB had trouble getting a clutch hit in game two which proves their demise.

Offensive stars for NEK:
'Mikey' Stephen Georgie - 2/3, 2 rs
Rashaad Johnson - 2/4, 1 hr (inside the park), 2 r.b.i's
Jason Gardner- 3/4, 4 r.b.i's, 2 rs, 1 GS
Pete Griffin- 3/4, 2 rs
Damon Corbin - 3/4
Brian (Blade) - 2/3, HR (inside the park), 2 r.b.i's
Ted Winner- 2/4, 1 3b

Randallstown High School Field 1:
Game 1: Kings 11 (WP- Chuck Grant 14-1)  Northwest Corridor  (LP-Howard Goldberg 5-12)  

NWC came out of the top of the 1st inning with a 7-0 lead, but NWC did not score after that and the Kings mounted an important comeback, winning 11-7. Kings starter Chuck Grant, while allowing 7 hits in inning 1, settled down to allow just 6 hits in the final 6 innings, picking up his 95th Kings career win.

In t-1st for NWC, with 2 outs and a runner on firstbase with just 1 run in, an infield error was followed by 5 solid hits to push across 6 more runs. An RBI 1B by Eric Radom, 2 RBI 3B by Gabe Unterman, RBI 1B by Jon Goldman, and 2 RBI HR by Jason Ott. The Kings began to pound away at the 7-0 lead with a 5 run rally in b-2nd. 6 consecutive 1 out singles by Chris Zoeller, Troy Hendricks (RBI), Keegan Rettaliata (RBI), Chuck Grant (RBI), Robbie Ressin (RBI), and Mike Herr (RBI --Kings career #300) made the score 7-5. The Kings caught a break in b-3rd following 1 out sinles by Alan Varhaftik and Jan Katzen. Chris Zoeller hit a flyball to LCF, but the outfielder stumbled and the Kings tied the score with Zoeller reaching secondbase. Keegan Rettaliata hit a single to put the Kings ahead 8-7. RBI hits in b-4th by Jeff Slutzker (2B), Alan Varhaftik, and Jan Katzen gave the Kings an 11-7 lead. NWC was unable to get a runner to second base after the 2nd inning.

Offensive leaders in game 1 for NWC:
Howard Goldberg (2-3,1 R)
Eric Radom (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)
Lee Pollak (3-3)
Gabe Unterman (1-3,1 R,2 RBI,3B)
Jason Ott (1-3,1 R,2 RBI,HR)

Offensive leaders in game 1 for the Kings:
Alan Varhaftik (2-3,3 R,1 RBI)
Jan Katzen (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)
Troy Hendricks (2-2,1 R,1 RBI)
Keegan Rettaliata (3-3,1 R,2 RBI)
Mike Herr (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)

Game 2:  Kings 15  (WP- Chuck Grant 15-1)  Northwest Corridor 8 (LP-Howard Goldberg 5-13)  

The Kings were in control of game 2 the entire way, but were unable on several occasions to end the contest early. To their credit, NWC scored enough runs in the 4th and 5th innings to keep the game alive, but the Kings did win easily 15-8.

In the nightcap, it was the Kings that batted as the visitors and scored a bunch of runs in the top half of the inning. 2 walks and 5 singles led to a 6-0 Kings lead. Shilo Merwitz, Chris Zoeller, and Keegan Rettaliata had RBI hits, while Alan Varhaftik drew a bases loaded RBI walk. The Kings produced 6 more runs in t-2nd including consecutive milestone Kings hits by Shilo Merwitz (Kings hit #300) and the next batter, Jan Katzen (Kings hit #200 -- a 3 RBI homerun). The Kings built a 15-0 lead after 3 1/2 innings, but 3 infield errors in b-4th led to 1 run, keeping the game going to a 5th inning with the Kings ahead 15-1. Sloppy defense in the b-5th inning by the Kings included 3 more infield errors and 4 more runs. The game therefore went to a 6th inning with the Kings now ahead 15-5. With 2 outs and 0 on in b-7th, NWC rallied for 3 runs with singles by Joey Liner and  Brad Rosenberg, followed by a 3-run HR by Howard Goldberg.

Offensive leaders for NWC in game 2:
Howard Goldberg (1-4,1 R,3 RBI,HR)
David Stein (2-4,1 R)
Lee Pollak (1-3,2 RBI)

Multi-hit Kings players in game 2:
Rob Ressin (2-3,3 R,W)
Jeff Slutzker (2-2,2 R,3 RBI,W,SF)
Shilo Merwitz (2-3,2 R,2 RBI)
Jan Katzen (3-4,2 R,4 RBI,HR)

Kings game notes:

NWC Game Notes:


Randallstown High School Field 2:
Game 1: LOFT 12 (WP-Andy Peksa 5-9)  Havana Club Cannons 10 (LP- Mark Yokel 7-3)   

The Havana Club dropped 2 more on Sunday losing to LOFT 12-10 and 14-13. LOFT outplayed the Cannons from start to finish and deserved both victories. The Cannons will look to regroup after the bye.

With the birds chirping and the humidity high L.O.F.T. arrived to the fields looking to beat the only team it has never beaten in franchise history; the Cannons. L.O.F.T. got off to a good start in the top of the 1st plating 4 runs off a RBI double by Matt Boden and 3 RBI singles from Bob Santos, Kory Rosenberg and Brett Henry. Andy Peksa took the mound and was able to retire the Cannons without allowing a run. L.O.F.T. was able to add another run in the top of the 2nd off a RBI single from Andy Peksa. Peksa then shut down the Cannons for a second straight inning making the score 5-0 after 2 innings. L.O.F.T. was able to extend that lead to 8-0 in the top of the 3rd off a 3 run bomb from Ryan Mente. The Cannons were finally able to get on the board in the bottom of the 3rd plating 3 runs to cut the lead to 8-3 after 3. L.O.F.T. and the Cannons exchanged runs in the 4th. In the top of the 5th L.O.F.T. was able to plate 2 more runs off of RBI singles from Ryan Mente and Brooks Sandler. The Cannons struck back in the bottom half of the inning plating 5 runs to cut the lead to 11-9 after 5. L.O.F.T. was able to score 1 more run in the top of the 6th inning before things got really interesting. In the bottom of the 6th inning the Cannons had a lead off HR followed up by 2 singles and then controversy struck as the ball was hit to Peksa and he threw home getting the runner at the plate on the tag. After an argument with the umpire both benches cleared and a shouting match began between the 2 teams. Words were exchanged and finally everything was settled. The Cannons stepped back up to the plate and were unable to plate anymore runs in the inning. Up 12-10 heading into the 7th L.O.F.T. looked to add some insurance runs, however they were unable to do so. More words were exchanged right before the bottom half of the 7th inning. The Cannons got a lead off single before Peksa was able to retire the next 3 batters in order to secure the win for L.O.F.T. giving them its 1st franchise victory over the Cannons.


 Offensive Stars for LOFT:
Ryan Mente: 2-4; 1B, HR, R, 4 RBI
Bob Santos: 3-4; 3 1B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Jeff Kapper: 3-4; 1B, 2 2B, 2 R
Brandon Mabry: 2-4; 2 1B, R, RBI
Andy Peksa: 2-4; 2 1B, RBI
Kory Rosenberg: 2-4; 2 1B, 2 R
Brett Henry: 2-4; 2 1B, R, RBI
Adam Crothers: 2-4; 2 1B, R, RBI

Game 2:  LOFT 14 (WP-Kory Rosenberg 2-2)  Havana Club Cannons 13 (LP- Mark Yokel 7-4)   

L.O.F.T. came into game 2 fired up after beating the Cannons in game 1, as they were looking to complete the sweep. L.O.F.T. took the early lead in the bottom of the 1st scoring 3 runs off RBI singles from Bob Santos and Kory Rosenberg (3rd run scored off Kory's hit, but off outfield error). The Cannons struck back quickly in the top of the 2nd as Kory Rosenberg struggled on the mound walking several batters leading to 7 runs for the Cannons. L.O.F.T. did not go away however as they scored a run in the bottom of the 2nd, answered by a Cannons run in the top of the 3rd and then L.O.F.T. answered by scoring 2 in the bottom of the third making it 8-6 after 3. The Cannons scored one in the top of the 4th, but L.O.F.T. was able to tie the game in the bottom of the 4th off RBI walks from Andy Peksa and Matt Boden and a Sac Fly from Bob Santos. The Cannons scored 4 in the top of the 5th and L.O.F.T. was unable to score any in the bottom half making it 13-9 after 5. Kory Rosenberg was able to hold the Cannons scoreless in the top of the 6th and L.O.F.T. scored a run in the bottom half on a RBI single from Bob Santos. With the score 13-10 Rosenberg once again held the Cannons scoreless giving L.O.F.T. a chance to do what they do best and thats win the game in the bottom of the 7th. Brett Henry led off the inning with a walk, Adam Crothers then lined out and Ryan Mente got a base hit giving L.O.F.T. runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Brooks Sandler got a base hit to load the bases, but Mike Markovic was unable get a hit instead he had to settle for a fielders choice to drive in the 1st run of the inning for L.O.F.T., but leaving them with only one more out. Brandon Mabry singled to drive in a run cutting the lead to 1 and Jeff Kapper followed it up with a base hit to drive in the tieing run and moving the winning run to 3rd base. In this situation L.O.F.T. would not want any other hitter at the plate then Andy Peksa. Peksa stepped in fresh off a walk off sac fly from the week before; however this time needing a hit to win the game. With a 1-1 count Peksa saw the pitch he wanted and ripped a base hit to left field to bring in the winning run to give L.O.F.T. the victory and the sweep on the day.

LOFT Offensive Stars:
Brandon Mabry: 4-4; 4 1B, Sac Fly, 3 R, 2 RBI
Matt Boden: 2-3; 2 1B, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI
Bob Santos: 2-2; 2 1B, BB, Sac Fly, R, 3 RBI
Kory Rosenberg: 2-4; 2 1B, 2 RBI
Adam Crothers: 2-3; 2 1B, BB, R
Mike Markovic: 2-4; 2 1B, 2 R, RBI
Andy Peksa: 1-3; 1B, 2 BB, R, 2 RBI


LOFT Notes:
- This was L.O.F.T.'s first win over the Cannons as they have now beat every team in the league at least once in franchise history and it was also L.O.F.T.'s first sweep in franchise history
- L.O.F.T. has already surpassed its win total from its 1st 2 seasons combined in this season as it moves to 7-11 on the year.
- This is the third consecutive week L.O.F.T. has won a game in the bottom of the 7th inning and the 4th time on the season.