2010 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Week 4:  April 25, 2010

Highlights submitted thus far by all teams

 

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Deer Park Middle School Field 2:    Umpire- Rick Simmons
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 9 (WP-Alex Newman 2-3) NEK/ESB Bombers 5 (LP-Ted Winner 0-3) 

Sky jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after Ted Winner walked the first 2 batters and Sky followed with 3 base hits. Winner found the strike zone in the 2nd inning, but 4 hits in the inning, including a double by Brian Sky led to 2 more runs. Alex Neumann let the defense work behind him and took a 5-0 lead into the 5th inning. Sky managed to put 3 more on the board after Elliot Blank and Pat Wilcox tripled in the inning and looked to have a comfortable 8-0 lead. But then NEK's bats came alive and put up 5 runs in the 6th inning to make it interesting. Alex Neumann continued to throw strikes to minimize the damage, walking only 2 in the game. Sky got an insurance run in the 7th and Alex held on for the win, 9-5.

This column is meant for highlights but the way the Bombers played, it should be the lowlights. The Bombers were focused to come out in game one and start stronger than they had the past two weeks but it didn’t happen that way. Alex Neuman took the mound for Sky and Sky and shut down the Bombers offense until the 6th. Sky and Sky has 4 excellent outfielders and anything the Bombers hit, they ran down. By the 6th Sky and Sky had an 8-0 lead after scoring 3 in the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd and 3 in the 4th. The Bombers bats finally woke up and they scored 5 runs in the 6th to narrow the gap. Garrett Wiggs, Gardner and Rashaad had key RBIs. The Bombers had two men in the 6th and the tying run came to the plate but Neuman induced a long fly out to end the threat. Ted Winner held Sky and Sky to 1 run in the 7th, and even though the Bombers had two men on in the 7th they were left stranded there and Sky and Sky took the opener 9-5.

Sky highlights:
Elliot Blank 2-2, 3B, 2 BB's, 3R, RBI
Brian Sky 2-3, 2B, BB, 2R, 2RBI
Pat Wilcox 3-4, 3B, R, 3RBI
Shaun Poulton 2-3, RBI
Pat T. 2-3

Game 2: Sky & Sky Inc. 14 (WP-Ken Zalis 1-2) NEK/ESB Bombers 5 (LP-Ted Winner 0-4) 

In the past two weeks the Bombers lost game one and came back to win game two. Unfortunately, pitcher Tzvi Friedman (2-0) couldn’t pitch the night cap and Sky and Sky jumped on the Bombers and Winner for the victory. In the 1st Dan and Ben Guttman drew walks and came around to score on RBIs by Wiggs and Loeb. The Bombers thought they were going to score a lot of runs off of soft tossing Kenny Zallis but to his credit he threw a lot of strikes and again his defense played excellent behind him. The loan hitting star for the Bombers was catcher Damon Corbin.

Kenny Zalis took the hill for Sky in game 2 and walked the first 2 batters, leading to two runs for NEK. Sky exploded for 7 runs in the 2nd inning, highlighted by a HR by Matt Holley. At the end of 3 innings, it was Sky leading 7-4. Zalis let the defense work behind him, and Sky continued to put up runs in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th innings. Sky's outfield defense consisting of Andy Bloom and Matt Holley made several outstanding plays. Erik Hanson didn't want to be shown up by his fellow outfielders, so he managed to create his own highlight. As he was quickly back peddling to a ball smashed to deep RCF, he misjudged it a bit and while falling backwards, he snared the ball out of the air with his bare hand, and then tumbled backwards. Fortunately for Sky, Erik quickly realized that it was much easier to catch the ball with his glove like the other guys and continued to use his glove the rest of the game.

Sky got their first sweep of the season, winning 14-4.

Sky highlights:
Elliot Blank 2-4, R, RBI
Matt Holley 1-4, HR, 3RBI
Pat Wilcox 2-4, 2R
Shaun Poulton 2-4, R, RBI
Tyler, 2-3, 3B, BB, 3R, RBI
Pat T. 2-3, 3B, 2R, 2RBI

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:    Umpire- Troy Long
Game 1: Stingers 16 (WP-Larry Newman 1-5) Northwest Corridor 11 (LP-Matt Bell 0-1) 

The Stingers took the field first to square off vs NWC. Both teams had slightly adjusted rosters and The Stingers started the game with just 9 players. NWC jumped out on top first scoring 4 1st innings runs. Jon herbst led off the game with a double and Scott Sweren followed with an rbi base hit. Brad Rosenberg belted a long 2rbi double to centerfield and NWC enjoyed a nice 4-0 lead. Matt Bell made his long awaited PMSL debut on the pitcher’s mound for NWC. A few walks allowed Palo and Brett to score 2 runs for The Stingers but Bell settled down and prevented any big rally from The Stingers. Adam Silverman and Josh Katz both had rbi base hits in the 2nd to increase NWC’s lead to 6-2. The Stingers then put together a huge 2nd inning rally scoring 7 runs off of 7 hits. The Stingers continued all game to take advantage of free passes and timely hitting to win game #1 in a high scoring affair 16-11.

The Stingers entered week 4 looking to take two from NWC but entered the weekend a little short handed. NWC would strike first scoring four runs in the top of the first inning off a couple walks and timely hitting. The Stingers would answer in the bottom of the inning off a Randall Sacrifice fly and a J. Engler single. NWC would pick up where they left off in the second but the Stingers would hold them to two runs. The second inning is when the Stingers came alive batting around. Woodfolk started the inning off with a single followed by a Nemo walk. Palo would bring both these runs in with a triple. The hits came in like a tidal wave with an Eisenberg single, Sheridan single, Randall double, and a Johnson double. The Stingers would score seven in the inning going up by a score of nine to six. The Stingers defense took over from there holding NWC to one run in the forth while manufacturing another four runs entering the fifth with the score 14-7. NWC would make a run in the fifth inning scoring four runs but that would be it as the Stingers defense held in the top of the seventh to get the W for Nemo. Nemo pitched a great game and the Stingers defense was solid. A great effort overall!

Hitting Stars NWC:
Jon Herbst 5-5 4r 3rbi Hit For The Cycle
Adam Silverman 3-4 2r 2rbi 2b
Brad Rosenberg 2-4 r 2rbi 3b
Josh Katz 2-4 r rbi

Game 2: Northwest Corridor 8 (WP-Howard Goldberg 2-3) Stingers 7 (LP-Larry Newman 1-6) 

Game two would be similar for the Stingers but NWC brought in Goldberg which was a change of pace from game one. The good news was the Stingers picked up another player at the end of game one and entered the game with a full roster. The Stingers started off slow on offense and were held scoreless through two innings. The stingers defense held NWC to two runs. In the third inning the Stingers would score three runs to take the lead in the top of the inning. In the top of the third, Woodfolk was struck by an errand throw from the outfield striking him in the face from his position as third base coach. This would take him out of the game as he would need stitches to fix a split lip. The good news is Aaron was fine after visiting the ER and is hopeful to be back soon. When the game resumed, the Stingers stepped up the offense and going into the bottom of the seventh had a 7 to 6 lead. The Stingers gave up a couple hits but with two outs had the chance to get the win. On a questionable ball four on a 3-2 count NWC put two men on and would eventually tie and win the game. It was a tough, unfortunate loss but the Stingers will come out next week to battle the Bombers in search of two more wins!

Larry Newman took the mound again for The Stingers and Howard Goldberg hoping to sit out another game to rest his injuries, was unexpectedly forced into action. Goldberg set down The Stingers without a run scored in the 1st and NWC was able to get one in the bottom half of the inning. Brad Rosenberg drilled an inside the park homer to the right centerfield fence to give NWC a one run lead. In the 2nd a Matt Silverman rbi single scored Lee Pollak to make it 2-0. The Stingers got on the board in the 3rd inning scoring 3 of their own led by a scorching triple to the fence by Stuart. They added 2 more in the 4th and 1run in both the 5th and 6th innings. Jon Herbst continued his hot hitting earning another inside the park homer in the 3rd for NWC. They’d chip closer to The Stinger’s lead in the 5th scoring 2 more runs and got to within one run of the lead in the bottom of the 6th. Goldberg managed to set down The Stingers in the top of the 7th so NWC went into the bottom half of the inning looking for a late rally. Rosenberg led off the inning with a line drive single and Katz followed with the same. Lee Pollak hit into a fielder’s choice to plate the tying run 7-7. Matt Bell drew a walk to advance Pollak over to 2nd base. Jon Goldman then followed with a walk off single up the middle plating Pollak from 2nd base and giving NWC the come from behind victory. Stinger’s catcher Aaron unfortunately was struck in the mouth with an errant throw while coaching 3rd base and had to leave the game. The Stingers didn’t have another player to replace him in the lineup so NWC received 2 free outs the last two times Aaron was due up to bat.

Hitting Highlights NWC:
Brad Rosenberg 3-4 2r rbi hr
Lee Pollak 3-4 r rbi
Jon Herbst 2-3 2r 2rbi hr 3b BB
Jon Goldman 2-4 GWrbi

Game Notes NWC:

• After over a decade in the league Matt Bell started his 1st ever game on the pitcher’s mound. Bell is the 3rd starting pitcher NWC has sent out to the mound so far this season. The 1st time NWC has had 3 or more different starters in a season since 2006 when Goldberg, David Stein, Terry Lanciotti and Jason Ott all started games for NWC.

• Howard Goldberg to compensate for injury batted from the left side of the batter’s box for the 1st time in his career
  Brad Rosenberg’s game #2 7th inning single was his 100th career NWC hit. Brad also has career hits for The Havana Club Cannons and Hops Hounds.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:      Umpire- Scott Snyder
Game 1:Kings 8 (WP-Mike Herr 4-0) LOFT 2 (LP-Rick Winepol 2-2) 

The Kings broke open a 1-0 game with a 7 run b-4th and took the opening game 8-2. The Kings had 8 of their 12 hits in the 4th inning. LOFT scored its only runs on a Brandon Mabry 2 RBI HR in t-7th. Kings starter Mike Herr held LOFT to just 5 hits and 0 walks.

2 out singles by Jan Katzen and Rob Barrow' (RBI) gave the King the first run of the game in b-2nd. The 2 teams had a combined 3 hits thru the first 3 innings of play.

In t-4th, LOFT threatened to tie the game. With runners on the corners with 1 out, Matt Monto grounded into a 6-4-3 doubleplay. On the close play at first base, LOFT manager Andy Peksa was ejected for objectionable language. The ejection quieted down the tone of the game for both ballclubs. In the bottom half of the inning, the Kings bats finally woke up, with the first 7 batters reaching base via a leadoff walk and 6 consecutive hits. All 7 batters scored and the Kings held a rather safe 8-0 lead. The RBI hits came from Alan Varhaftik (2B), Keegan Rettaliata (2B), Jan Katzen, Chuck Grant, Mike Herr, and Troy Hendricks.

Rick Winepol led off t-7th with just the 4th hit, all singles, for LOFT. With 1 out, Brandon Mabry hit an inside-the-park HR to straight away CF.

LOFT offensive leaders:
Brandon Mabry (1-3,1 R,2 RBI)
Mark Weiner (2-3,2B)

Kings offensive leaders:
Jan Katzen (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)
Rob Barrow  (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)
Mike Herr  (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)

Game 2: Kings 16 (WP-Chuck Grant 4-0) LOFT 4 (LP-Rick Winepol 2-3)  5 Innings

The Kings took control of game 2 early, scoring 5 runs on 5 hits in t-1st. Kings starter Chuck Grant improved his record to 4-0 with the Kings 16-4, 5 inning victory in game 2.

The Kings 5 runs in t-1st came via RBI's from Shilo Merwitz (SF), Arin Gelletly (RBI 2B), Alan Varhaftik (2 RBI 1B), and Jan Katzen (RBI fielder's choice). LOFT got 1 run back in b-1st as Michael Bowen led off with a 1B and following a single by Brandon Mabry, Bowen scored on a Matt Monto fielder's choice RBI groundout.

The Kings, who sent 10 batters to the plate in t-1st, sent all 10 batters to the plate again in 5-2nd, scoring 6 more times on 6 more hits. The key hits were RBI 3B's by Troy Hendricks, Arin Gelletly, and Rob Barrow. In between the 3B's, Jeff Slutzker went yard on a 2 RBI HR over the fence in left field. Slutzker's last homerun had come against LOFT on 5/10/2009 in game 2. For Slutzker, it was his 28th Kings career HR, tying Barry Foland for #3 on the Kings all-time list behind Alan Varhaftik (58) and Chuck Grant (52). Game 2 was also the 300th game for Slutzker in a Kings uniform, moving him into 7th place on the all-time list.

Shilo Merwitz came thru with a 2 RBI 1B in t-3rd as the Kings extended their lead to 14-1. The lead grew to 15-1 with a Kenny Salzman RBI 3B in t-4th. In LOFT b-4th, 1 out singles by Mark Weiner and Matt Monto, along with an opposite field RBI 2B by Tom Blumenauer made the score 15-2.

In t-5th, Merwitz doubled with 1 out and scored on Arin Gelletly's RBI 1B. Merwitz came in to pitch the b-5th in one of his regular mop-up appearances. LOFT scored 2 runs off of Merwitz in b-5th on singles by Jeff Kapper and Pete Sclafni, plus a 2 RBI 3B by LOFT pitcher Rick Winepol. The game ended with the Kings ahead 16-4 after 5 innings.

LOFT offensive stars:
Jeff Kapper (2-2)
Rick Winepol (1-2,2 RBI,3B)

Kings multi-hit players:
Kenny Salzman (3-3,3 R,1 RBI,3B,W)
Troy Hendricks (2-4,2 R,1 RBI,2B,3B)
Shilo Merwitz ((2-3,3 R,3 RBI,2B,SF,ROE)
Arin Gelletly (4-4,2 R,3 RBI,2B,3B)
Keegan Rettaliata (2-4,1 R)
Rob Barrow (2-4,1 R,1 RBI,3B)

Kings game notes:

• The 8 extra base hits in game 2 (3 2B,4 3B,1 HR) were a season high for the Kings.

• The pitching win for Mike Herr (69-32) was his 69th for the Kings, tying him with Larry Newman (69-22) for 3rd place on the all-time list. Chuck Grant leads the Kings (121-62), with Steve Levy (83-38) #2 on the list.