Pikesville Men's Softball League 2008 Season April

2008 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Playoffs 2008

Week 18: August 3, 2008
Round 1

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Round 1: Kings (1) 11 (WP-Chuck Grant 22-1) Stingers (8) 3 (LP- Mike Beverly 0-5)

The Kings took the opener 11-3, but the game was much closer than the score indicated. The Kings led just 4-2 into b-6th, exploding for 7 runs in the inning to pull away. The Stingers began the game with consecutive singles by Tim Palo, Jeb Buchman, and Greg Cooper to load the bases with 0 outs. A SF by Mike Beverly and RBI 1B by Chad Foster gave the Stingers a 2-0 lead. The Kings tied score in b-2nd as Jan Katzen and Alan Varhaftik led off with singles, putting runners on the corners. Stingers starter Mike Beverly was able to retire the next 2 hitters on an infield popup and infield lineout, but Chuck Grant and Mike Herr both delivered RBI singles to know the game 2-2.

In b-3rd, Dave Sandler and Shilo Merwitz reached on walks, and with just 1 out, Stingers manager Matt Friedman made the call to the bullpen for Albert Hoffman. Hoffman retired Arin Gelletly on a flyout for the 2nd out. Jan Katzen hit a short popup between first base and the mound. Hoffman was not able to catch the ball cleanly and his throw to first base, which would have been in time to retire Katzen, went down the rightfield line enabling Sandler and Merwitz to score, giving the Kings a 4-2 lead.

Kings starter Chuck Grant sailed through the middle innings, at one time retiring 10 batters in a row. Meanwhile, the game remained 4-2 heading into b-6th. Leadoff walks to Katzen and Varhaftik brought the hook to Hoffman and the re-entry of Mike Beverly. During his 2 2/3 innings of work, Kings batters were 0-for-9 against Hoffman, but did draw 5 walks. Beverly was greeted rudely upon his re-entry as Keegan Rettaliata hit an RBI 1B and Troy Hendricks delivered a 3-run HR. 5 more singles followed in the inning and the Kings came out of the b-6th with a 11-2 lead.

The Stingers Stuart Sheridan hit a 2 out RBI 2B in t-7th to close out the scoring.

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

Offensive leaders for the Kings:
Kenny Salzman (2-3,1 R,1 W)
Koby Sarubin (1-1,1 R,1 RBI)
Shilo Merwitz (2-3,1 R,1 W)
Troy Hendricks (1-2,1 R,3 RBI,HR,1 W)

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Round 1: Northwest Corridor (7) 8 (WP-Howard Goldberg 10-17) Sky & Sky Inc. (2) 7 (LP-Alex Newman 3-3)

Northwest Corridor and Sky & Sky had things tied up at 3 through 3 innings. Then in the t-6th NWC's bats came out as 5 consecutive singles led to 4 runs, placing the 7 seed in-line for the first round upset. Howard Goldberg made quick work of the 4, 5, & 6 hitters in the b-6th, but the bottom of the Sky & Sky line-up pulled their weight in the b-7th. Four hits including a 2-rbi double by Steve Truitt had the tying run just one clutch hit away. However, Goldberg induced a harmless pop-up for the last out sealing the 1-run victory (7-6) over Alex Newman. Steve Truitt and Brian Weiss had the only mulit-hit games for the diminished Sky & Sky offense.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Round 1: NEK Entertainment (4) 7 (WP-Ted Winner 6-3) LOFT (5) 5 (LP-Andy Peksa 8-14)

Highlights pending.

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Round 1: Havana Club Cannons (3) 20 (WP-Mark Yokel 10-6) Eastern Savings Bank (6) 8 (LP-Dave Finkelstein 2-5) 5 Innings

Eastern Savings Bank jumped out early to a 5-0 lead in the T 1st before the Cannons could record a single out. Yokel was hit hard, but managed to get out of the jam with two runners on base.

In the b-1st, the Cannons had probably their best inning of the season. 11 runs, 16 batters, 8 hits, 4 walks, and 3 batters with 2 hits in the inning, Jeff Kurland, Chuck Easter, and Shawn Warner. Up 11-5 after 1, and plating 4 more in the B2nd, this game was far from close the rest of the way.

In game one ESB sent out ace pitcher Dave Finkelstein to the mound against the mighty Cannons and its star pitcher Mark Yokel. Unfortunately, the problem was that Dave Finkelstein was an ace pitcher 20 years ago and on this day looked and pitched like the aging veteran that he is. ESB jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the top of the first and were really focused to knock off the Cannons. Then in the bottom of the first the Cannons scored 11 runs and the rest of the game was merely a formality.

Hitting Stars for the Cannons in game 1:
Kurland: 4-4, 4 runs scored, 3 rbis
Tim Grap: 2-3, HR, 2 runs, 3 rbis
Easter: 3-4, 3 runs, 4 rbis
Warner: 3-3, 2 runs, 2 rbis

Week 18: August 3, 2008
Round 2

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Round 2: Eastern Savings Bank (6) 13 (WP-Dave Finkelstein 3-5) LOFT (5) 11 (LP-Andy Peksa 8-15)

In game two ESB sent out ace pitcher Dave Finkelstein again this time to take on the mighty Loft team. However, this time Finkelstein was aided by 4 power aides and pitched ESB to the victory 13-11. ESB jumped out to a 13-1 lead and held on for the victory. This game was a playoff record for family members playing on the same team. Dave was joined by his sons Avi and Chaim as well as the Gutman and Katz twins. The family atmosphere was too much for Loft to overcome.

ESB jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first and scored 7 more in the second highlighted by a single by Chaim Finkelstein, a double by David Finkelstein and a home run by Avi Finkelstein. ESB then took the rest of the game off but held onto victory thanks to 3 outstanding catches by newly converted left fielder Marc Loeb. If you check ESPN sports center you will notice that all 3 catches were in their top ten list.

Unfortunately, this was the last game of the year for ESB. Next week is a Jewish holiday and ESB will not be able to field a team. Of course if it rains then we will still be alive. If Sandy Koufax wouldn’t play on a Jewish holiday then neither will we. (However, if NEK wants to be real men we will be happy to challenge them to play on Thursday night. I can’t believe they would want to win on a forfeit technicality)

If there was a Pikesville league All Star Team, Ben and Dan Gutman would definitely be on it. All year long they played outstanding defense and led the team in hitting. They had great leadership and always came to play. Tzvi Friedman, ESB’s pitcher also turned into one of the leagues best power pitchers/hitters. Rookie outfielder Cameron Brown showed flashes of brilliance and will be a star for many years in the league to come. Marc Loeb and Dovid Flamm were solid contributors all year and Gabe Silber was an important veteran bat and presence in the lineup.

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Round 2: Sky & Sky Inc. (2) 9 (WP-Larry Newman 15-4) Stingers (8) 1 (LP-Mark Wienner 1-4)

After the opening round upset, Sky & Sky's defense made its mark exhibiting stellar glove work to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Six shutout innings of 3 hit softball allowed Larry Newman to coast to the easy victory. Scott Kessner cleaned up the t-7th for the 9-1 final. Leadoff batter Steve Truitt reached base safely 3 times, while Russ Dlin doubled home run number 2. Pat Wilcox drove in two more with a single in the b-3rd, while Sky & Sky added 5 more runs throughout the rest of the contest.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Round 2: Havana Club Cannons (3) 12 (WP-Tom Paulshock 10-2) NEK Entertainment (4) 2 (LP-Jeff Harris 5-4)

Because of the surprising NWC upset of Sky and Sky, a 3 vs. 4 matchup between the Havana Club Cannons and NEK was in order.

The first inning went without much hoopla, even with a leadoff single by Jeff Kurland. In the B 2nd though, Johnny Edelman lead off with a single up the middle. Neal Charkatz came to the plate and hit a 2 strike line drive between the RCF and RF that got all the way to the fence. Charkatz legged out an inside the ballpark 2 run homerun. The Cannons forced across another run with a bases loaded Tim Grap walk.

Tommy was throwing well, striking out 4 batters, and only walking 2 on the day. Tommy helped his own cause with 2 hits, and he was robbed of a 3rd being called out at first on a close play that all felt was missed. The Cannons plated 3 more in the B 4th, keyed by 2 hits, a BB and a sacrifice fly.

In the B5th the Cannons bats awoke again from their hour long slumber since game 1, as the first 5 batters reached base, and Chuck easter bringing on the last 2 of 6 runs in the inning with a 2 rbi single. NEK staved off the slaughter plating 1 each in the T 5th and 6th, and the Cannons held on for a 12-2 victory.

Hitting stars for the Cannons in playoff game 2:
Kurland: 3-4, 2 runs, 2 rbis
Grap: 1-3, 1 run, 2 rbis
Edelman: 2-3, 2 runs
Charkatz: 1-2 HR, 2 BB, 1 run, 2rbis
Steve Hayes: 2-3 1 run, 1rbi
Mark Yokel: 2-3, 3 runs, 1 rbi
Tommy P: 2-3 1 run scored.

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Round 2: KIngs (1) 12 (WP-Chuck Grant 23-1) Northwest Corridor (7) 0 (LP-Howard Goldberg 10-18) 5 Innings

Kings Chuck Grant tossed a 5 hit shutout (including 2 strikeouts) as the Kings took the nightcap 12-0 in 5 innings. The Kings took 3-0 lead in b-1st on RBI 1B by Shilo Merwitz, RBI 3B by Arin Gelletly, and RBI 3B by Jan Katzen-- all 3 RBI hits coming with 2 outs.

The Kings held 3-0 lead into b-4th when their bats got going for 7 more runs. The Kings loaded bases with 0 outs on singles by Merwitz and Gelletly, followed by walk to Katzen. SF's by Alan Varhaftik and Keegan Rettaliata were proceeded by 2out RBI 1B to Troy Hendricks and RBI 2B by Grant. Kenny Salzman capped the inning with a 3-run HR.

The Kings ended the game early with RBI 1B by Gelletly and SF by Varhaftik in b-5th.

Kings game 2 offensive leaders:
Kenny Salzman (2-2,1 R,3 RBI,HR,W)
Shilo Merwitz (3-3,3 R,1 RBI)
Arin Gelletly (3-3,2 R,2 RBI,3B)
Jan Katzen (1-1,1 R,1 RBI,3B,2 W)

Kings game notes:
►Although not listed among the offensive leaders from either game, Dave Sandler was 0-for-1 on the day with 5 walks.
►In his return to the lineup, Jeff Slutzker had the misfortune to ground into 3 doubleplays on the day.
►Chuck Grant improved his pitching record to 23-1. Grant has decided to show up late for next weekend's Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Track so that he can make his starts for the Kings.
►Kings skipper Mike Herr picked up his 400th Kings managerial win in the nightcap (400-209- .657 pct)

Week 19: August 10, 2008
Round 3

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Round 3: NEK Entertainment (4) 7 Eastern Savings Bank (6) 0 (Forfeit)

Today was the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'av and out of respect for the holiday, ESB was unable to play.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Round 3: Sky & Sky Inc. (2) 8 (WP-Alex Newman 4-3) Northwest Corridor 7 (LP-Howard Goldberg 10-19) 8 Innings

The rematch of the upset between Northwest Corridor and Sky & Sky played out incredibly similar to the previous week's game with the winner again squeezing out a 1-run victory...extra innings style. NWC's Howard Goldberg doubled home an early run, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple. Meanwhile some early wildness from Goldberg led to two runs for Sky & Sky on just a lonely single. NWC alternated singles and outs to plate 2 in the t-2nd, but mishandled grounder by their defense led to Sky & Sky's third run of the game. Finally in the t-5th, NWC put four on the board including two, 1-out free passes, and three straight singles. A scant 2 hits over the next 3 innings had Sky & Sky in the same exact position they faced in the previous week...down by 4 with 2 at-bats left before their second place regular season finish would go for naught. Wildness helped Sky & Sky claw away at NWC's lead as Brian Sky singled home the two leadoff walks in the b-6th to cut the deficit in half. One BB, one error, one single, and one SF later the game was tied at 7. Goldberg did get the third out of the b-7th inning with the winning run 65 ft. away. Two line drive double plays allowed both Sky & Sky pitchers to face only one over the minimum number of batters during the final three innings. A Brian Weiss single and some amazing speed allowed Brian Sky to single home the winning run as Sky & Sky escaped with the victory. Alex Newman earned that victory when he pinch hit for his old man in the b-7th and held the opposition down in the t-8th. Brian Sky had 3 hits and 3 rbi, Elliot Blank went 2-3 with a 2B and 2 runs, while Brian Weiss had a hit, 2 BB, and scored 3 times.

Joey Liner had the only multi-hit game for NWC who played Sky & Sky far tougher in the playoffs than they did during four regular season losses. Much like The Chicago Bulls of the early and mid 90's, NWC saved their major muscle flexing for the playoffs.

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Round 3: Havana Club Cannons (3) 4 (WP-Tom Paulshock 11-2) Kings (1) 3 (LP-Chuck Grant 23-2) 8 Innings

Cannons Tom Paulshock and Kings Chuck Grant engaged in an extra inning pitcher's duel with the Cannons coming out the winner 4-3 in 8 innings. The top 2 offensive teams from 2008 were limited to a combined 16 hits, all singles.

The Kings infield defense was inconsistent behind Grant in the first 3 innings as each leadoff batter reached courtesy of of an error. Fortunately these lapses were momentary as the same defense turned 2 doubleplays, while Grant helped himself out by allowing just 1 hit and starting a doubleplay on a hard liner back through the box. Meanwhile, Paulshock limited the Kings offense to just 1 single in the first 3 innings. Both teams got a runner to third base with 2 outs in the 4th, but stranded the runner with inning ending groundouts.

Scoreless into the t-5th, the Cannons loaded the bases with 0 outs on Neal Charkatz walk, Evan Kreitzer 1B, and Steve Hayes 1B. Dan Kassell hit a SF to deep LCF to push across the first run of the game. Pinch hitter Drew MacLean delivered a run scoring 1B to RCF, followed by Jeff Kurland SF to RCF, putting Cannons in lead 3-0. With 1 out in Kings b-5th, Troy Hendricks and Chuck Grant singled. Grant's hit got past the leftfielder and rolled to the fence, scoring Hendricks and moving Grant to 3B. Rob Barrow scored Grant on an RBI fielder's choice, closing the Cannons lead to 3-2.

In t-7th, Grant issued 3 walks, but got out of the jam without allowing a run. Trailing into b-7th, the Kings played small ball and got things going with leadoff walks to Alan Varhaftik and Jeff Slutzker. Keegan Rettiata's hit into a fielder's choice groundout to 2B, allowing Varhaftik to move to 3B. Troy Hendricks delivered a game tying single to LCF. With runners on first and second base with 1 out, Paulshock was able to get out of the inning with a flyout and groundout.

In t-8th, Tim Grap led off with a 1B and moved to 3B on Shawn Warner's 1 out 1B. Johnny Edelman followed with another single, scoring Grap with the go ahead run. Neal Charkatz then hit the 4th single of the inning, a rope to LCF, loading the bases with still 1 out. Grant was able to escape without further damage courtesy of an infield popout and groundout. Shilo Merwitz drew a 2 out walk in b-8th, but Paulshock retired Kings clean-up hitter Arin Gelletly on a popout to Charkatz at first base to end the game.

Cannons multi-hit player:
Shawn Warner (2-4)

Kings multi-hit player:
Troy Hendricks (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)

Game notes:
Cannons offense (9-31,4 R,4 RBI,0 2B,0 3B,0 HR,5 W,0 K,1 SF)
Kings offense (7-32,3 R,2 RBI,0 2B,0 3B,0 HR,5 W,1 K,0 SF)

Both teams had their full squad of starting players.

Week 19: August 10, 2008
Round 4

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Round 4: Kings (1) 5 (WP-Chuck Grant 24-2) Sky & Sky Inc. (2) 1 (LP-Alex Newman 4-4)

In an elimination game between the Regular Season's #1 and #2 seeds, Sky's Alex Newman drew the pitching assignment against Kings Chuck Grant, the league's leader in wins. Alex was forced into action in inning 6 of game 1 when dad Larry was forced from the game with a toe injury. The energy levels of the 2 teams were opposites with Sky excited about their earlier Round 3 come-from-behind extra inning victory over Northwest Corridor. The Kings, on the other hand, were dejected from their Round 3 extra inning loss to the Havana Club Cannons. To their credit, the Kings put forth a strong defensive effort behind Grant and came away with a 5-1 win.

The Kings did get early lead in b-1st on 1 out 1B by Dave Sandler and 2 out singles by Shilo Merwitz and Arin Gelletly (RBI). Sky rallied in t-2nd on singles by Brian Sky, Pat Wilcox, and Andy Bloom to load the bases with 1 out. Alan Friedman coaxed a bases loaded walk to tie score 1-1. Grant retired Brian Weiss on a shallow flyout to RCF, keeping the bases loaded. He then got Paul Hayes on a flyout to RF to pitch out of a major jam and keeping the score deadlocked 1-1.

The Kings scored another solo run in b-2nd on Keegan Rettaliata 2B to the fence and Grant 2 out RBI 1B. In t-3rd, Sky looked to be in position to at least tie the game. Alex Newman walked to leadoff the inning. He moved to 2B on Elliott Blank's 1 out 1B. Newman got a bad break from the base on Glenn Ackman's single to CF and was compelled to hold at third base, loading the bases with 1 out. Brian Sky hit a scorching groundball to SS Shilo Merwitz, who stepped on the bag at second base and fired over to first base to complete and inning ending doubleplay-- the Kings maintaining a 2-1 lead.

The Kings extended their lead in t-3rd on Dave Sandler walk, Jeff Slutzker 1B, and Arin Gelletly 2 RBI 3B. Jan Katzen followed Gelletly with a SF to LCF, giving Kings 5-1 lead. With Grant getting stronger on the mound as the game progressed, Sky was unable to get another runner to second base during the final 3 innings. Although the Kings mounted a potential rally in b-5th loading bases with 1 out and bringing Arin Gelletly to the plate. Gelletly was working on a 2-for-2 game, but Alex Newman got Gelletly to hit into a groundout doubleplay started by thirdbaseman Elliott Blank. The Kings won by a final score of 5-1.

This round 4 contest between the top two seeds became a game opportunities squardered vs. timely hitting. The Kings struck first getting three singles, including two with two outs, to take the early lead after 1. With bases loaded and only 1 out, plus a free-pass rbi to tie the game, Sky & Sky was poised for a big inning in the t-2nd. Two shallow fly outs later, The Kings jogged off the field with renewed spirits. In the b-2nd pitcher Chuck Grant took a 2-strike, 2-out, outside pitch barely over the SS head to plate the second run of the day for The Kings. Again looking to tie, and perhaps go ahead in the t-3rd, with bases loaded and 1 out, Chuck Grant induced a ground ball DP to end the threat. With that second chance evaporated, Sky's offense folded up shop and seemed to check out early garnering only 5 hits over the next four innings and never threatening again. Meanwhile Arin Gelletly tripled just over the outstretched glove of Russ Dlin plating two and coming home on a SF to increase the lead to 4 runs. Alex Newman did pitch out of a bases loaded, no-out jam, but usually one measly run is not going to be enough to get your pitcher the "W" in the playoffs. Final score was 5-1--Grant over Newman. Russ Dlin had a 2B, 1B, and was robbed of another hit during his 3 plate appearances. Brian Sky chipped in 2 singles and scored the losing team's only run. A real absence of run support seemed to characterize Alex Newman's entire season, as embodied by this season ending loss. I'm sure any potential future ex-wives will see his lack of support a definite 'red flag', and decide to stick it out with him on the rubber. Have a great senior year!

Multi-hit Sky players in Round 4:
Brian Sky (2-3,1 R,)
Russ Dlin (2-3)

Multi-hit Kings players in Round 4:
Dave Sandler (2-2,2 R,1 W)
Shilo Merwitz (2-3,1 R)
Arin Gelletly (2-3,1 R,3 RBI,3B)
Chuck Grant (2-2,1 RBI,2B).

Game notes:
Sky offense (9-29,1 R,1 RBI,0 2B,0 3B,0 HR,2 W,0 K,0 SF)
Kings offense (11-27,5 R,5 RBI,2 2B,1 3B,0 HR,3 W,0 K,1 SF)

►Kings Chuck Grant skipped the early Sunday session of the Virgin Fest concert at Pimlico Race Course to pitch in the Playoffs today. Grant was tremendous on the mound in both games, including defensively. Opposing batters on the #2 and #3 seeds went a combined 18-60 (.300 average), with just 7 walks, and no extra base hits allowed.
►Kings manager Mike Herr (thanks to his teammates) won his 401st game, tying him with Attman's Deli hall-of-fame manager Paul Bell on the all-time win list for managers. Herr has a chance to move into the #1 slot with a win in next week's Finals. League history information is now posted on the website at http://www.pikesvillesoftball.com/historyofchampions.htm .
►Kings Jeff Slutzker was able to play in the outfield in game 2 for the first time since July 13 (Stingers) when he pulled a leg muscle.
►Kings LF and Associate Coach Alan Varhaftik left Ocean City at 4:30 A.M. to return for today's playoff games. He was delayed approximately 40 minutes at the Bay Bridge due to the tractor trailer crashing through the guard rail and plunging into the Chesapeake Bay. Kings outfielder Koby Sarubin opted to remain in Ocean City for the remainder of his vacation.
►While it does not show up easily in a boxscore, Kings second baseman Kenny Salzman was outstanding with the glove in both games today. The left handed lineups featured by both the Cannons and Sky gave Salzman a chance to show off his defensive talent.
►The Kings will meet the Havana Club Cannons next week in a re-match of the 2006 League Finals. The Cannons won that previous Finals match-up. If the Kings can come away with 2 wins next weekend against the Cannons, Jan Katzen's fiance Jen has given him permission to go out drinking with his teammates. Katzen's wedding date is August 31.

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Round 2: Havana Club Cannons (3) 13 (WP-Mark Yokel 11-6) NEK Entertainment (4) 8 (LP-Jeff Harris 5-5)

After a huge win vs. the Kings in round 3 of the playoffs, the Cannons had to fight a letdown in round 4 vs. an NEK team that had already beaten the Cannons once previously this season.

Yokel was able to get out of the T1st without a blemish. In the B1st, Jeff Kurland led off with a single, Tim Grap singled him to third and Kurland scored on a Chuck Easter FC groundout.

NEK showed the fight they have had in them all season vs. the Cannons, scoring 2 runs and hitting the ball hard off Yokel in the T2nd.

As has happened recently, but has been missing most of the season, the Cannons put up a crooked number in the B2nd plating 6 runs and batting 11 in the inning. The inning was highlighted by a Chuck Easter double that plated two runs.

After adding 2 more in the B3rd to take a 9-2 lead, the Cannons figured to have the game in hand. Again, against the fighting NEK squad this was not to stay a blowout. NEK scored 5 runs in the 4th, and added another run on a towering homerun by the NEK 3rd baseman. Going into the B5th it was a 9-8 lead for the Cannons.

In the T6th Yokel got a 1 out single, and Jeff Kurland hit a line drive to CF that took a huge hop over the outfielder’s heads and Kurland was able to walk home with a 2 run homerun. In the B 6th the Cannons added another two runs on a Neal Charkatz rbi double, and a Danny Kassell rbi single making the lead 13-8.

Yokel was able to shut down NEK in the T6th and 7th, giving the Cannons a perfect record in the playoffs going into the Championship Series with the Kings next week. The Kings will try and do to the Cannons what the Cannons did to the Kings two years ago, win two games on Championship Sunday before the Cannons can win 1.

Week 20: August 17, 2008
Round 5

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Round 4: Kings (1) 8 (WP-Chuck Grant 24-2) Havana Club Cannons (3) 4 LP-Tom Paulshock 11-3) (8 Innings)

The Cannons had become the top seed in the tournament by virtue of their defeat of the Kings last week. The Kings needed a Sunday sweep to win the tournament. Round 5 was a repeat of the Round 3 pitching match-up with Cannons Tom Paulshock facing Kings Chuck Grant. Both pitchers were dominating last week, with Paulshock allowing just 7 hits over 8 innings, while Grant yielded just 8 hits.

The Kings offense got off to a quick start with 3 straight singles off the bats of Kenny Salzman, Jeff Slutzker, and Shilo Merwitz loading the bases for clean-up hitter Arin Gelletly. Gelletly delivered a 2 RBI single and 1 out later, Alan Varhaftik and Keegan Rettaliata both came through with RBI singles. In all, the Kings had 5 hits in the inning. The Cannons trailed 4-0 before their first at-bat.

The Cannons offense cut into the Kings lead quickly as 5 singles off the bats of Neal Charkatz, Chuck Easter, Johnny Edelman (RBI), Evan Kreitzer (RBI), and Steve Hayes (RBI) made the score 4-3. The 3 RBI singles all came with 2 outs.

Both pitchers settled down and kept the score unchanged through the end of the 4 1/2 innings. During those 3 innings, each team had just 1 single. In b-5th, Dan Kassell led off with a single. Tom Paulshock reached when his ground ball to the mound yielded a play attempt on Kassell at second base. On a tough call from the Kings' standpoint, Kassell was ruled safe and the Cannons had a threat going. With 1 out, Tim Grap came though with a game tying single to LF. On the throw to the plate, Charkatz and Grap moved up to 2nd and 3rd base. The Kings maintained the 4-4 tie when Grant was able to retire Chuck Easter on an infield popup and Shawn Warner on a line out to RF.

The Cannons got a runner to second base with 2 outs in b-6th and the Kings did the same with 1 out in t-7th, but neither team was able to get a clutch hit to break the tie. In t-8th, the Kings loaded bases with 0 outs via Salzman walk, Slutzker single, and Merwitz single. Again Arin Gelletly came through with a key bases loaded hit, delivering a 3B to LF. Jan Katzen followed with a SF, giving the Kings an 8-4 lead. The Cannons got 2 men on in b-8th, but Grant was able to retire the final hitter on a popup to the mound.

Cannons offensive leaders in game 1:
Tim Grap (2-4,1 RBI)
Johnny Edelman (2-3,1 R,1 RBI,W)
Steve Hayes (2-3,1 RBI)

Kings offensive leaders in game 1:
Kenny Salzman (1-1,2 R,3 W)
Jeff Slutzker (2-4,1 R)
Shilo Merwitz (2-4,2 R)
Arin Gelletly (3-3,2 R,5 RBI,3B,W)
Keegan Rettaliata (2-4,1 RBI,2B)

Kings game note:
►Kings have played 4 extra inning Playoff games in the past 2 seasons.
►The game 1 Kings win allowed Mike Herr to pick-up his 402nd career managerial win, surpassing Attman's Deli manager Paul Bell on the all-time list for the 34 year history of the Pikesville Men's Softball League.

Week 20: August 17, 2008
Round 5

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Round 4: Havana Club Cannons (3) at Kings (1)

The Kings appeared to have the momentum, winning a tough fought game 1. However Mark Yokel stymied the Kings hitters and led the Cannons to a 9-4 Championship game victory. Yokel limited the Kings to just 4 hits in the first 5 innings,, while his teammates were able to give him a few runs to work with.

The Cannons grabbed lead in t-3rd as Chuck Easter tripled with 1 out and scored on a line drive to second base. With 2 outs, Steve Hayes hit a 2 out homerun over the fence in LCF. Cannons extended their lead to 4-0 in t-4th with a Neal Charkatz 2 out bloop RBI 3B. The Cannons built a seeminly safe 8-0 lead with 4 runs in t-5th courtesy of 4 walks and 2 RBI hits by Evan Kreitzer and Drew McLean. The lead became 9-0 in t-6th on Tim Grap's HR.

To their credit, the Kings attempted an improbable comeback. A 2 RBI 3B by Jeff Slutzker and RBI 1B by Shilo Merwitz made the score 9-3 in b-6th. In b-7th, the Kings managed a walk and 2 singles, including RBI 1B by Grant, but the damage fell well short, as the Cannons won the Tournament title game 9-4.

Cannons offensive leaders:
Tim Grap (2-4,1 R,1 RBI,HR)
Chuck Easter (3-3,2 R,2 2B,3B,W)
Steve Hayes (1-3,2 R,2 RBI,HR,W)
Evan Kreitzer (1-3,1 R,2 RBI,W)
Drew McLean (4-4,2 RBI,2B)
Dan Kassell (2-4,1 R)

Kings offensive leaders:
Jeff Slutzker (1-2,1 R,2 RBI,3B,W)
Jan Katzen (2-3)
Chuck Grant (2-3,1 RBI)