Week #1 -- April 7, 2013

Highlights submitted thus far by Thunderbirds, Stingers, Kings, Natty O's, Bombers, NWC

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:    Umpire- Reggie Grant
Game 1: Bombers 17 (WP-Tzvi Friedman 1-0)  Thunderbirds 2 (LP- Jay Walle 0-1)  6 Innings

The 2013 PMSL season kicked off with the second year Thunderbirds going up against The Bombers. The Bombers came across twice in the top of the 1st as The Birds tried to get the rust off of their feathers. In the bottom of the inning, The Birds would get their wings flapping a tad bit when Reggie Molock hit a leadoff single, followed by a double off the bat of Tony Wiggs. Molock would come across on David Woods RBI sac fly and Wiggs would score on Jay Walle's RBI single. The Bombers would add on runs over each of the next four innings and take the opener in five as The Birds could not get going.

The Bombers opened the season with 2 victories over the Thunderbirds; 17-2 after 6 innings and 19-3 after 4 innings. Tzvi Friedman dominated the Thunderbirds lineup and the Bombers battered Thunderbirds starter Jay Walle.

In the first, Raashad led off the game with a walk, followed by a Ben Gutman single. Flamm’s infield grounder was bobbled by the Thunderbirds, which gave the Bombers a 1-0 lead. Shulie then singled home Gutman for the 2nd run. The Thunderbirds tied the game with 2 runs in the bottom of the first. These would be the last runs they scored all game. The Bombers scored 3 in the 2nd, led by Raashad and Ben’s RBI singles, and an error by the Thunderbirds.

In the 3rd, the Bombers new LF, Gershon Yakobovich, hit a homerun to RCF to make it 6-2. They tacked on 4 more runs in the 4th. After Brad singled, Chaim walked and Ben walked to load the bases. Flamm’s 2-run double made it 8-2, Shulie’s SAC Fly made it 9-2, and the Bombers new CF, Zach Croft, lined a single for his first career RBI in the Men’s Pikesville Softball League.

In the 5th, Loeb tripled to the RCF fence and new Bombers 1B, Ryan Barnett, lined a single to make it 11-2. Finally in the 6th, Ben doubled for his 4th hit of the game, and after Flamm walked, Shulie hit a 2-run single to make it 13-2. Croft singled home Shulie, Gershon hit a SAC Fly, Friedman tripled, and Barnett drove him home to make the final score 17-2.

Thunderbirds Offensive Leaders:
Reggie Molock (1-3, R)
Tony Wiggs (1-2, 2B, BB, R)
David Woods (1-1, Sac Fly, 2 BB, RBI)
Jay Walle (2-3, RBI)

Game 2:  Bombers 19 (WP-Tzvi Friedman 2-0)  Thunderbirds 3 (LP- Jay Walle 0-2)  4 Innings

Game 2 ended quickly for the Thunderbirds. After the Thunderbirds scored once in the 1st, the inning was cut short by a great throw to the plate courtesy of Gershon. The Bombers went to work in the bottom of the 1st by scoring 3 runs. Shad and Ben singled, and Flamm hit an RBI double. Shulie’s SAC Fly and Zach’s infield pop made it 3-1. Friedman struck out back-to-back hitters in the 2nd, and then the Bombers erupted for 11 runs. After Brad reached on an error, Chaim singled and Shad hit an RBI double. Ben hit a SAC Fly and Flamm’s RBI GO made it 6-1. Shulie and Zach singled, Gershon hit a 2-run single, Loeb hit a 2-run double, Tzvi had an RBI single, and then Brad hit a 3-run BOMB to make it 14-1.

The Thunderbirds scored 2 unearned runs in the 3rd to cut the lead to 14-3. The Bombers responded with 5 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, highlighted by Zach’s single, Gershon’s triple, Loeb’s SAC Fly, Barnett’s and Chaim’s RBI singles to put the score at 19-3. The Bombers new additions gelled together with their new teammates in what looks to be a promising season.

In the second game, The Birds would come out swinging in the top of the 1st and take an early 1-0 lead after a leadoff single by Molock and an RBI single off the bat of John Roiy. The Bombers would respond with three across the plate in the bottom of the 1st.

The Birds would lay an egg in the top of the 2nd as The B's put 10 in the book in the bottom of the inning. The Birds would try to rally in the 3rd as Molock would get a leadoff single. Woods would get a single followed by a 2 RBI double from Walle scoring Wiggs and Woods. That would be all The Birds could get as The B's would get more runs and take the game in four.

Thunderbirds Offensive Leaders:
Reggie Molock (3-3, R)
John Roiy (1-2, RBI)
David Woods (2-2, R)
Jay Walle (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI)
Tayvon Ervin (1-1, BB)

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:    Umpire- Keith Brown
Game 1: Kings 15  (WP-Mike Herr 1-0)  Green Machine 13   (LP- Andy Peksa 0-1) 

The Kings met up with a revamped Green Machine squad to begin the PMSL 2013 Regular Season. The 2 teams exchanged leads throughout the contest, with the Kings coming out ahead at the end 15-13. The Kings sent Mike Herr to the mound to face Green Machine's Andy Peksa. The pitching match-up was a repeat of the 2012 Round 1 Playoffs in which the Kings won 9-6.

Green Machine (GM) grabbed 2-0 lead in b-1st on Brad Verbovsky's 2 out 2 RBI 2B. The Kings tied score in t-2nd on 2 infield errors, a sacrifice fly, and RBI fielder's choice groundout. The Kings added 6 runs in t-3rd on 7 hits with RBI hits by Koby Sarubin, Shilo Merwitz, Arin Gelletly (2B), and Jan Katzen (2 RBI 1B). GM battled back with 3 runs in b-3rd on 5 hits and 2 Kings errors after the hits. Kings maintained 8-5 lead after 4 innings.

GM added 1 run in b-5th on another 2 out hit again by Verbovsky, this one an RBI 2B. GM then exploded for 8 hits and 6 runs in b-6th with RBI hits by Rodney Baysmore, Mike Bowen, Josh Vaeth (2 RBI 2B), Andy Peksa, and Verbovsky (2 RBI 2B).

The Kings were down to their final at bat, trailing 13-9. The Kings loaded bases with 0 outs on singles by Sarubin and Kenny Salzman, along with walk to Merwitz. Arin Gelletly's deep SF scored Sarubin and moved up the other 2 baserunners into scoring position. Jan Katzen followed with a 2 RBI 1B to pull the Kings to within 13-12. Alan Varhaftik followed with a 1B and Troy Hendricks hit a 2 RBI 2B to put the Kings ahead 14-13. Hendricks advanced to 3rd base on an outfield throwing error and scored on Rob Barrow's infield groundout. The Kings held the 15-13 lead as GM went 3 up 3 down in b-7th for the only time all game.

Green Machine offensive stars:
Josh Vaeth (2-4,2 R,2 RBI,2B,K)
Andy Peksa (4-4,2 R,1 RBI)
Jonathan Stacey (2-4,3 R,1 RBI, reached on error)
Brad Verbovsky (4-4,5 RBI,3 2B)
Pete Sclafini (2-3,1 R,2B)
Mike Bowen (2-3,2 R,1 RBI)

Kings game 1 offensive leaders:
Koby Sarubin (2-4,2 R,1 RBI)
Shilo Merwitz (2-2,3 R,1 RBI,2 W)
Arin Gelletly (2-3,1 R,2 RBI,2 2B,SF)
Jan Katzen (2-3,3 R,5 RBI,SF,reached on error)
Alan Varhaftik (2-4,2 R,2B)
Brad Millison (2-4,1 R)
Mike Herr (2-3)

Game 2:  Kings 14  (WP-Shilo Merwitz 1-0)  Green Machine 9   (LP- Bob Mellonee 0-1) 

With the wind gusts blowing out towards centerfield, game 2 was another offensive slugfest, with the Kings coming out ahead again 14-9. Shilo Merwitz pitching in relief of Mike Herr picked up his first career Kings opening day pitching win.

In t-1st, Andy Peksa 3B with 1 out and scored on a SF by Jonathan Stacey. Following a 4-for-4 effort in game 1, Brad Verbovsky continued where he left out, blasting a 2 out solo HR over the LCF fence, putting GM ahead 2-0. Kings came back with 4 runs in b-1st on leadoff walks to Koby Sarubin and Kenny Salzman, then RBI 1B by Shilo Merwitz, 2 RBI 2B by Arin Gelletly, RBI 1B by Alan Varhaftik. GM's Pete Sclafini's RBI ground out and Josh Vaeth's RBI 1B in t-2nd tied score 4-4. Kings re-took lead 6-4 with RBI ground out by Salzman and RBI 1B by Merwitz in b-2nd.

GM continued the seesaw battle with 3 runs in t-3rd. SF by Rodney Baysmore and 2 RBI 3B by Mikey Leight led the charge. Kings evened score 7-7 in b-3rd rallied by 2B by Troy Hendricks and infield 1B by Rob Barrow. Hendricks scored on an errant throw to tie the game.

Shilo Merwitz relieved Kings starter Mike Herr to start t-4th. GM loaded bases with 1 out and then scored 2 runs on a fielder's choice and bases loaded walk, but the damage could have been much worse if it weren't for the outstanding defense by Kings third baseman Jan Katzen. With the bases loaded an still 1 out, Katzen started a 5-5-2 doubleplay to get Merwitz and the Kings out of futher trouble. The Kings got a lead for Merwitz in b-4th scoring 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. The key hits in the inning came from Gelletly (3 RBI 3B), Katzen (RBI 1B), and Alan Varhaftik (2 RBI HR).

Merwitz shut down the GM offense the rest of the way and the Kings added an insurance run in b-6th. Final score Kings 14 Green Machine 9.

Green Machine offensive stars:
Andy Peksa (3-3,2 R,3B,W)
Brad Verbovsky (2-4,2 R, 2 RBI,HR)
Rodney Baysmore (2-3,1 RBI,SF)
Mikey Leight (2-4,2 RBI,3B)
Bob Mallonee (2-3,1 R)

Kings game 2 offensive leaders:
Shilo Merwitz (2-4,1 R,2 RBI)
Arin Gelletly (3-4,3 R,5 RBI,2 2B,3B)
Alan Varhaftik (2-3,1 R,4 RBI,HR,SF)
Troy Hendricks (2-4,1 R,2B)
Glenn Savage (2-2,1 R,W)
Mike Herr (2-3,1 R)

Kings game note:
The Kings improved their all-time opening day record to 40-10 (.800).

Mike Herr made his 11th and 12th Kings opening day starts, but the first time in his 25 year Kings career he has started both games of an opening day doubleheader. Kings #1 starter Chuck Grant missed opening week due to an upper body injury.

Kings all-time Opening Day Starting Pitcher Records (25 Seasons)
Chuck Grant 11-1 (2001, 2002, 2005, 2007 x2, 2008 x 2, 2009 x 2, 2010, 2011, 2012) 
MIke Herr 8-3 (1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 x 2)
Steve Levy 6-2 (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998)
Larry Newman 3-2 (1993, 1996, 1997 x2, 1998)
Dan Frignito 3-0 (2004, 2005, 2006)
Ted Winner 2-1 (1999 x 2, 2000)
Jeff Goldstein 2-1 (1998, 2001, 2002)
Dave Sandler 2-0 (1994, 1995)
Ken Zalis 1-0 (2003)
Lane Gordon 1-0 (2000)


Northwest Regional Park Field 3:    Umpire- Scott Snyder
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 14 (WP- Ken Zalis 1-0)   Natty O's 2 (LP- RJ Seabeck 0-1)

The weather was cold, and so were the Natty O's bats to start the season. After scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the first inning, Ken Zalis behind good defense behind him shut the O's down the rest of the game in route to a 14-2 loss for the O's.

Natty O's offensive stars:
Dave Robb 2-3
Alan Monico 1-3, 1 RBI
Sean Connolly 0-1, 2BB, 1 Run
RJ Seabeck 1-3, BB, 1 Run

Game 2:   Sky & Sky Inc. 14  (WP- Brian Mekiliesky 1-0)   Natty O's 13 (LP- RJ Seabeck 0-2)  8 Innings

The second game the O's bats started to wake up, putting 5 runs up in the first 3 innings, then 4 more the next 2. RJ Seabeck got into a groove and seemed to be on cruise control. Taking a 9-7 lead into the 7th, they were able to score 3 additional insurance runs to take a 5 run lead going into the bottom of the inning. The wheels started to come off the bus there and 3 errors later Sky & Sky had tied the game and were headed to extra innings. IN the top of the 8th, Alan Monaco took a ball deep and over the left field fence to put the O's up 1 in the extra frame. It turned out not to be enough as Sky once again battled back and scored the final 2 runs of the game to take a 14-13 extra inning win.

Natty O's offensive stars:
Alan Monaco 2-4, HR, 2B, RBI, Run
Justin Bullock 4-4, 2 Doubles, 2 Runs, 2 RBI
John Murphy 2-4, 2B, 2 Runs, RBI, BB
Jon Veditz 2-3, RBI, Run,
RJ Seabeck 1-3, 2 Runs. 2 BB

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:      Umpire- Lane Gordon
Game 1: Stingers 8  (WP-Larry Newman 1-0)  Northwest Corridor 5 (LP- Howard Goldberg 0-1)  

Stingers opened the 2013 season with an exciting win over NWC. Sean Flynn got things going for the Stingers with his single followed by Mike Randall’s patience against Goldberg and Gordon’s odd calls at the plate. The same came in the bottom of the 1st from NWC. In the t-2nd Mike Beverly and James Engler kept the bats warm for the Stingers with their singles. After a walked issued by Gordon, Larry Newman put up his first K of the season, but NWC would find a way to get the first run scored of the day and would get their second in the b-3rd for a 2-0 lead going into the t-4th. With singles from Flynn, Randall and Foster making his way on by choice, Brett Eisenberg drilled a line drive through the left outfield of NWC for his first triple of the season and plated 3 runs for the Stingers to jump out in front of NWC. In the 4th and 5th innings not much was happening other than the whipping wind. Top of the 6th brought out the Stingers bats again with a single from both Rob Ellrich and Sean Flynn followed by a 2 rbi double from Mike Randall’s shot through the NWC defense. NWC would battle back with 3 of their own but Newman would also pick up his second K of the season to close out the inning keeping the game tied going into the 7th inning at five all. The top of the 7th found singles from Engler and Matt Friedman to put runners on the bases. In place of Newman Gary Bosley came to the plate and he did not disappoint as he was able to drive a 3 run inside the park homer to give the Stingers a 3 run lead. Newman closed out the bottom of the 7th and the top of NWC’s line-up ending in his 3rd K of the season and a morning windy win for the Stingers.

The NWC’s 12th opening day came against a familiar foe, The Stingers. An aggressive wind blew wildly over field #4 as both teams took the field ready to attempt to shed the offseason rust. NWC left 2 men stranded in scoring position in the 1st inning but were able to get on the board in the 2nd. Jon Goldman’s liner to centerfield brought home matt Silverman for the game’s first run but again, NWC left 2 runners on base. They would add one more in the 3rd inning after a Brad Rosenberg base knock drove home Jeff Kurland but for the 3rd inning in a row, 2 runners would be left one base. The Stingers were shutout for the 1st 3 innings but finally got on the board and took the lead in the 4th inning by outing up 3runs. Both teams scored in the 6th inn, the Stingers getting 2 from a Randall double. Austin Titus singled home Adam Silverman and Goldman delivered 2 more rbi with a shot up the right centerfield gap. Gary Bosley came through with a pinch hit 3run homer in the 7th knocking a ball over the heads of a drawn in NWC outfield.

Hitting Leaders NWC:
Jeff Kurland 2-4 R
Howard Goldberg 2-4 2B
Gabe Unterman 2-3 R
Jon Goldman 2-3 2b fc 3rbi


Game 2: Northwest Corridor 15  (WP-Ted Winner 1-0)  Stingers 6  (LP- Tom Paulshock  0-1)  

Tom Paulshock took the mound for the Stingers in the afternoon game and kept the Stingers spirit up with only one hit for NWC. Winnner kept NWC in the game keeping the Stingers from crossing the plate allowing only Randall’s single for the inning. T-2nd NWC found the Stingers open areas and jumped out in front with 3 runs from the middle of their line-up. NWC and Gordon would take over in the b-2nd . T-3rd NWC continued with another 2 runs to take a 5-0 lead after 2 ½ innings of play. After being hit by a skipped pitched, Friedman slapped a single into right and got a runner on the bags for the Stingers followed shortly by a Time Palo single, but the Stinger could not take advantage fo the runners on the bases. NWC would add on another 6 runs through the following innings taking a 11-0 lead. After keeping NWC quit in the t-6th, the Stingers got a good rally going with one out as Palo would score on an Ellrich double, followed by another double from Randall for another rbi, followed by Derrick Mason’s 2 run triple to cut NWC’s lead in half making it a 11-6 game after 6 innings of play. NWC would add on another 4 runs and the day was split.

Ted Winner took the mound for NWC to try and force a split after a disappointing game #1 loss. Inning #1 went quietly for both squads but NWC but up 3 in the 2nd inning. Matt Silverman and Gabe Unterman started the inning with solid hits and Austin Titus knocked them both in with a 3run homer to get things rolling for NWC. Jeff Kurland followed with a 2run homer in the 3rd inning scoring himself and Jon Herbst and increasing the lead to 5-0. Four more in the 4th inning and NWC enjoyed a 9-0 lead. Kurland added another rbi single as did Unterman and Matt Bell delivered a 2rbi rope to left field. Meanwhile Winner continued to hold the Stingers scoreless through 5 innings. In the 6th inning The Stingers finally staged a comeback, rallying to score 6runs in the inning. Into the 7th inning the score now 11-6, Winner decided to break things open himself hitting a grand slam to left centerfield scoring Chris Amman, Austin Titus and Goldman. It’s unofficially Ted’s 1st homer since the PMSL’s 2007 season. The PMSL archives team is currently looking up the stat. So just like last season, NWC & The Stingers split the series on opening day

Hitting Leaders NWC:
Ted Winner 3-4 grand slam hr 2r 5rbi
Jon Goldman 1-1 3BB’s 2r
Gabe Unterman 3-4 2b 3r 2rbi
Jeff Kurland 3-5 r 3rbi hr