Week #12 -- July 8, 2012
Highlights submitted thus far by Thunderbirds, Deuces Up, Stingers
Northwest Regional Park
Field 1:
Umpire- Reggie Grant
Game 1: Deuces Up 7 (WP-Andy Peksa 1-0)
Stingers 6 (LP- Tom Paulshock 3-8)
The new era of Deuces Up started on
Sunday, and it showed it every facet of the game. Andy Peksa, the prodigal son,
returned to replace the former pitcher of Deuces Up (DU) and pitched a beautiful
game 1. Constantly throwing first pitch strikes, always staying ahead in the
count, and going the entire 7 innings without surrendering a single walk; he was
everything DU needed in their pitcher on this day.
However, Andy was not alone in his quest to prevent runs, as his defense stepped
up to support him from the very start. In the second inning, after an error on
2nd baseman Mark Winkel to put runners on the corners with 2 outs, Brad Verbosky
took a hard shot at the hot corner which he deftly knocked down and threw over
to 2nd to prevent any damage from being done.
The DU bats woke up in the 3rd inning with back to back singles from the bottom
of the order batters Billy Giles (in his career debut) and Ryan Sileo. Leadoff
man Josh Vaeth took his 2nd of 5 walks on the day to load the bases; and a
sacrifice fly from Martin Harris gave DU the early lead.
The game broke open in the 4th inning, as DU strung together 2 walks and 4
singles to get 3 runs across; the culmination being a 2 RBI hit by Billy Giles.
The Stingers got 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th, thanks in part to a Stu 2 run
double. The yellow jacketed team threatened again in the bottom of the 5th
inning with back to back hits to lead off the inning, but DU got two clutch
defensive plays from J Dot in left field to prevent any sting to the scoreboard.
DU loaded the bases with 2 outs in the top of the 6th inning, and a clutch hit
by Ryan Sileo scored 2 runs to provide a cushion, but as time would tell, it was
not a big enough cushion. After an incredible over the shoulder catch from left
centerfielder Mikey Leight, five consecutive 1 out hits provided the Stingers
with a come back to tie the game in dramatic fashion.
However, the Green men were not to be stopped this day. A leadoff walk by Martin
Harris started things well, but 2 consecutive fly outs left him still on first
base when Jonathon Stacey singled so move Martin over to 2nd base. That was when
big Andy Peksa saves his own day with a laser shot to center which scored Martin
for the go ahead run. The stingers got a 2 out hit in the 7th to put the tying
run on base, but rookie Billy Giles got a pop out catch to close out a
wonderfully entertaining game 1.
First meeting between Deuces Up and
the Stingers came away with the Stingers for the day. With the second meeting of
the two teams it would be more competitive. Tom Paulshock took the mound to
start things off for the Stingers and shut down Dueces, followed in return by
Andy Peksa doing the same to the Stingers. The game was competitive and friendly
with the removal of Winepol. Neither team bats got moving until the middle of
the game when Deuces took a lead through 3innings of play. In the b-4th, the
Stingers would have the top of their get into the swing of things. With Webster
leading off with a single to start the Stingers on the bases, Serkes would
follow suit to put two runners on the bases. Sheridan would drive them both in
with his right side double. With Sheridan moved around the bases from Eisenberg
and Binkowski shots, Friedman would come to the plate to drive in Sheridan to
put the Stingers on the board with 3 after 4 innings of play. However, Deuces
would add on to their lead with some rusty play on defense. In the b-6,
Eisenberg, Binkowski and Engler would get things going again , but would only
manage to score from fielder choices coming from the bottom of the line-up.
Paulshock did help his own cause with a line drive fielder’s choice to drive in
a run. With the Stingers down by one in the b-7th, the Stingers would try to
drive the ball past Deuces up but would end up coming up short by a run in the
morning heat.
Deuces Up Box Score:
Andy Peksa: 7 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Billy Giles: 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 R
Ryan Sileo: 2-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI
Martin Harris: 0-1, 2 BB, 1 RBI, 1 R (Sac Fly)
Mikey Leight: 1-3, 2 R
Game 2: Deuces Up 16 (WP-Martin Harris 1-1) Stingers 4 (LP- Ray Edwards 0-1) 5 Innings
After two impressive pitching
performances in the first game, the second game was more of a contest for which
pitcher could throw the least walks. After catching the first game, Martin
Harris moved 46 feet to deliver the pitches instead of receiving them. He
struggled with his control a bit at first, loading the bases with 3 walks in the
first. But he recovered well and worked his way out of the jam. The DU decided
to return the favor in the bottom of the 1st, loading the bases with 1 out when
slugger Brad Verbosky hit a bullet to the yellow SS who masterfully turned an
inning ending double play.
The Stingers continued to threaten in the 2nd inning, this time getting 2 runs
on a two out, bases loaded hit. Another web gem worthy catch by Mikey Leight
stopped the swelling from getting bad.
The 3rd inning turned into a historic one for the refreshed franchise; as they
set a few records that will be tough to beat. 21 plate appearances, 9 hits, 7
walks, and 16 runs all set franchise records for 1 inning; although this is the
first week statistics are being recorded for the team, I guess everything that
was done this weekend was pretty much a franchise record...but this inning will
probably last awhile in the books. The DU hitters stayed patient as the Stingers
2 pitchers of the inning both struggled with their command. Add to that a bunch
of line drives and the inning was one to be remembered. After starting the day
0-5 with a strike out, Brad Verbosky broke out of the slump with a bases loaded
double to clear the bases...the ball is still suffering from the pain of the hit
but I am told it should make a full recovery.
Martin Harris settled down with the comfortable lead, and held the Stingers to 0
runs in the fourth and 5th innings to close out his first career win in only his
second game pitching in this league...we only expect him to get better with
experience as a warning to the rest of the league.
A couple of gatorade baths later, the Deuces Up team went home happy for the
first Sunday in a long time. Now armed with team chemistry, DU looks to keep
their upset minded ways against the vaunted Kings next week.
The night cap brought out Ryan Edwards taking the mound
after the stingers tried to get things started in the top of the first. Edwards
would do his best with his prospective pitching but the day would prove to be
more than cumbersome for the rookie. The Stingers would get on the board in the
t-2nd as Webster would drive in two runs with his scorched single.
Then again in the t-3rd, the Stingers would get on the board from
Eisenberg’s triple to put up a total of 4 runs after 3 innings. Thereafter,
Paulshock would come back to the mound after Edwards had trouble finding the
plate and allowed Deuces to take too much of a lead and the day.
Deuces Up Box Score:
Martin Harris: 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 K, 4 BB
1-2, 1 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
Josh Vaeth: 0-1, 3 BB, 1 RBI (Sac Fly), 2 R
Jonathon Stacey: 2-2, 1 2B, 1 BB, 3 RBI, 2 R
Brad Verbosky: 1-2, 1 2B, 1 BB, 3 RBI, 1 R
J Cremens (J DOT): 3-3, 2 RBI, 2 R
Billy Giles: 1-1, 2 BB, 2 R
Northwest Regional Park
Field 3:
Umpire- Ray Huster
Game 1: Thunderbirds 11 (WP- Lenny Fields 3-4) Northwest
Corridor 7 (LP- Howard Goldberg 16-3)
Game 2: Northwest Corridor 16 (WP- Ted Winner 4-1) Thunderbirds 2 (LP- Lenny Fields 3-5) 5 Innings
In the nightcap, NWC came out the gate swinging and scored 4, 5, 1, 3, and 3 runs accordingly each inning as The Birds couldn't get off the ground. In the bottom of the 5th, The Birds would crack their egg and spoil NWC's hopes of a shutout. David Woods would lead off with a triple followed by a walk to Jesse Fenwick. Next, Lenny Fields would score David on a RBI Sac Fly to the outfield. The Birds would get one more across on John Roiy's RBI triple scoring Jesse as NWC would take the second game 16-2.
Northwest Regional Park
Field 4:
Umpire- Lane Gordon
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 17 (WP-Jeff Harris 11-3)
Natty O's 5 (LP- RJ Seabeck 6-17) 6
Innings
Highlights pending.
Game 2: Sky & Sky Inc. 12 (WP-Jeff
Harris 12-3)
Natty O's 7 (LP- Jarrett Smith 0-1)
Highlights pending.