Week #3 -- April 21, 2013

Highlights submitted thus far by Kings, Green Machine, Bombers, NWC, Thunderbirds

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:    Umpire- Reggie Grant
Game 1: Green Machine 11 (WP-Andy Peksa 1-2)  Thunderbirds 7 (LP- Jay Walle 0-5) 

Green Machine came into week 3 looking to build off of their first win of the season the previous week. In the top half of the inning Green Machine had runners on 1st and 3rd, but was not able to cash any runs in. As he has done so far, Andy Peksa toed the rubber in game 1 of the double header, and held the Thunderbirds scoreless in the 1st inning. Green Machine went to work with the bats scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Billy Giles got the inning started with a single and that was followed up by a Michael Bowen double. Mikey Leight came through with an RBI single to give Green Machine the 1-0 lead and that was followed up with a Jeff Kapper RBI fielders choice to put Green Machine up 2-0. With 2 outs in the inning Green Machine really went to work scoring 4 more runs in the inning all started by Mark Winkel’s first hit of the season and highlighted by a Josh Vaeth double and RBI singles from Nick Serkes, Andy Peksa and Joe Chambers. Peksa held the Thunderbirds scoreless in the bottom of the 2nd inning. In the top of the 3rd inning the Thunderbirds got out Green Machine’s first two batters of the inning, but with 2 outs Jeff Kapper doubled and Pete Sclafani singled to bring him home giving Green Machine a 7-0 lead. Stepping to the plate was Green Machine’s Manager and number 11 hitter on the day who was coming off of his first hit of the year. Looking to add more runs to the Green Machine total Winkel smoked a line drive right up the center field gap splitting the two defenders. Winkel put the head down as soon as he hit and ran as fast as he could and scored easily for an inside the park 2 RBI HOMERUN!!! Peksa was able to then set down the Thunderbirds again in the bottom of the 3rd without scoring a run. Mrs. Wink, who is Green Machines first lady and usual scorekeeper, finally arrived to the fields for the top of the 4th inning. Coincidentally the Green Machine bats went cold in the top half of the inning being set down 1-2-3. Up 9-0, Green Machine was able to continue to keep the Thunderbirds off the board with another solid inning in the bottom of the 4th. The Thunderbirds were able to get the bats going plating 5 runs in the bottom half of the 5th inning and the Green Machine bats that went cold in the 4th continued to stay cold in the 5th as they started the inning off with 2 singles, but could not score. Sac flies from Winkel and Vaeth gave the Green Machine a 6 run lead heading into the bottom of the 6th inning. In the bottom of the 6th the Thunderbirds scored 2 more runs to cut the lead to 11-7. Green Machine was not able to score any insurance runs in the top of the 7th. It was no problem for Peksa though as he set down the Thunderbirds 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 7th inning to secure his first win on the year and the teams 2nd win in a row!

The day started with the sophomore Thunderbirds going against the newly named Green Machine.
The two teams were scoreless after one inning. GM would score 6 and 4 to take a 10 run lead after 3.
The Birds would hold GM scoreless in the 4th and start a rally in the bottom half. Theo Battle would single and score on David Woods RBI triple. Consecutive hits from Brandon Smith, Tayvon Ervin, Tony Barner, and pitcher Jay Walle would bring runs across 2 runs followed by Maurice Jamison's 2 RBI double. The Birds cut the deficit in half heading into the 6th as both teams went scoreless in the 5th.
GM would add insurance runs in the top of 6 as TB would inch closer. Barner and Walle would single and Jamison would bring Barner in with an RBI single. Walle would come across on Darnell Maxwell's FC RBI.
TB would hold GM to an egg in the top of 7 but couldn't muster a rally in the final at bat as GM took the opener 12-7.

Thunderbirds Offensive Leaders:
Theo Battle 2-4, R
David Woods 3-4, 3B, R, RBI
Tony Barner 3-3, 2 R, RBI
Jay Walle 2-3, 2 R
Maurice Jamison 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI
Darnell Maxwell 2-3, RBI

GM Offensive Stars:
Mark Winkel: 2-2; 1B, HR, Sac, 3 RBI, 2 R
Josh Vaeth: 2-3; 2B, 1B, Sac, 3 RBI, R
Pete Sclafani: 2-3; 2 1B, RBI, 3 R
Billy Giles: 2-3; 2B, 1B, R

Game Note:
- The top 5 batters in the order only accounted for 2 of the 11 runs scored. The bottom 7 in the lineup scored 9 of the 11 runs in the game.

Game 2:  Thunderbirds 16 (WP-Jay Walle 1-5)  Green Machine (LP- Bob Mellonee 1-2) 

Game 2 was on and Bob toed the rubber for Green Machine. Green Machine was looking for a 3 game winning streak and attempting to get to .500 on the year. The Thunderbirds plated 3 runs in the top of the 1st and Green Machine answered with 2 of their own when Josh Vaeth hit a double and scored on a throwing error. After a Johnathan Stacey double put runners at 2nd and 3rd Brad Verbosky weekly grounded out to SS, but it was enough to bring the runner in from third cutting the lead to 3-2. The Thunderbirds added 2 more in the top of the 2nd and Green Machine answered with one of their own to make it 5-3. The Thunderbirds made it 6-3 in the top of the 3rd inning. Green Machine scored 3 runs to tie it at 6 all in the bottom of the 3rd highlighted by a Michael Bowen line drive triple down the RF line. Unfortunately the cold bats from earlier came back out and Green Machine did not score another run that game. The Thunderbirds jumped all of Green Machine with 2 in the 4th, 6 in the 5th and 2 more in the 7th inning to win the game 16-6. Green Machine was disappointed in their offense in game 2, as they could not answer the hitting display the Thunderbirds put on in game 2.

The second game of the day started as pitcher Jay Walle was still in search of his 1st win as a Thunderbird since they acquired him in the off-season free agent market.
The Birds started spreading their wings as Manny Fontanez would get a leadoff BB and score on David Woods RBI double. Tayvon Ervin would bring in Theo Battle and Woods with an RBI single of his own as TB would take a 3-0 lead. GM would bring in 2 to make it 3-2 after one inning.
In the top of the 2nd, TB would add 2 more as Darnell Maxwell and Fontanez would get consecutive singles and score on Reggie Molock's 2 RBI double. GM would add another run and trail 5-3.
In the 3rd, Brandon Smith lined a triple to RC and scored on Tony Barner's RBI single. GM came across the plate 3 times to tie the game 6-6 after 3.
In the 4th, TB scored twice with consecutive singles from Maxwell, Fontanez, Molock and Battle. GM went scoreless and trailed 8-6.
TB would lift off in the 5th as Barner started with a leadoff single and scored on Maxwell's RBI single. Molock would knock Maurice Jamison in with an RBI single. Maxwell came across on Battle's RBI Sac Fly to make it 11-6. Woods, Smith, and Ervin hit consecutive RBI singles. Barner would get his second hit of the inning as TB batted around and lead 14-6 as GM could not get it going again.
Both teams went scoreless in the 6th, but TB would add 2 more in the top of 7. Woods lead off with a double and Smith brought him in with an RBI triple. Ervin got Smith across the plate with an RBI Sac Fly.
Pitcher Jay Walle would get his 1st win as a Thunderbird as his defense would pull the fuse on the Green Machine and take the nightcap 16-6 for their 1st win this sophomore season.

Thunderbirds Offensive Leaders:
Manny Fontanez 3-3, 2 BB, 4 R
Reggie Molock 3-5, 2B, 4 RBI
David Woods 3-5, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI
Brandon Smith 3-5, 2 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Tayvon Ervin 3-4, R, SAC FLY, 4 RBI
Tony Barner 3-5, R, RBI
Darnell Maxwell 3-4, 2 R, RBI

GM Offensive Stars:
Michael Bowen: 2-3; 3B, 1B, RBI
Nick Serkes: 3-3; 3 1B, RBI, R

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:    Umpire- Mark Radom
Game 1: Kings 14 (WP-Mike Herr 3-0)  Natty O's 4  (LP- RJ Seabeck 0-3) 

The Kings met up with the Natty O's for just the 4th time in franchise history. The Kings scored runs in 5 of their 6 at bats and came away with a 14-4 win. The Kings pounded out 15 hits, but took advantage of 5 walks and 7 errors.

Natty O's offensive stars in game 1:
Alan Monico (3-3,1 R)
John Murphy (1-2,1 R,2B,W)
Dave Robb (2-3, reached on error)
Jon Veditz (1-2,1 RBI,SF)

Kings offensive leaders in game 1:
Koby Sarubin (4-4,1 R,1 RBI)
Shilo Merwitz (2-4,3 R,3 RBI)
Alan Varhaftik (3-4,1 R,3 RBI)
Troy Hendricks (1-1,1 R,1 RBI,W)

Game 2:  Kings 13 (WP-Chuck Grant 2-0)  Natty O's 7  (LP- RJ Seabeck 0-4) 

The Kings held a slim 8-7 lead after 6 innings, but a 5 run t-5th gave the Kings a 13-7 win in the nightcap. Arin Gelletly (1B), Jan Katzen (1B), and Alan Varhaftik (SF) had RBI's in t-1st to give Kings early 3-0 lead. Kings extended lead to 5-0 with RBI 2B by Steve Levy and RBI fielder's choice by Koby Sarubin in t-2nd. Natty O's fought back in b-2nd. With nobody on and 2 outs, 5 consecutive singles by Justin Bullock, Zach, Rich Carey (RBI), Dave Robb (RBI), and Jon Veditz (RBI) produced 3 runs.

RJ Seabeck's SF in b-4th pulled Natty O's to within 5-4. The Kings scored 3 runs in t-6th and Natty O's matched the 3 runs in b-6th. Key hit for Natty O's in b-6th was Justin Bullock 2 RBI 3B. 2 singles, 3 walks, and 2 errors led to 5 Kings runs in t-7th. The Natty O's were unable to score in their half of the inning, giving the Kings a 13-7 victory.

Natty O's game 2 offensive leaders:
Justin Bullock (2-3,2 R,2 RBI,3B)
Rich Carey (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)
Dave Robb (2-3,1 RBI)

Kings game 2 offensive stars:
Kenny Salzman (2-4,2 R)
Rob Barrow (4-4,2 R,2 RBI)
Brad Millison (2-4,2 R,1 RBI,2B,K)

Kings game notes:
►Koby Sarubin's 4th hit in game 1 was his 100th Kings and PMSL hit.
►Mike Herr's pitching win in game 1 was his 100th Kings win.
►Steve Levy recorded 2 hits on the day and now has 398 in a Kings uniform.
►Kenny Salzman recorded 3 hits on the day. Salzman is now tied with Jeff Slutzker for 4th place on the Kings all-time list: Mike Herr (726), Alan Varhaftik (629), Shilo Merwitz (474), Kenny Salzman & Jeff Slutzker (459).
►Glenn Savage singled in his 1st at bat on the day. This was his 10th consecutive hit (with 2 walks) dating back to game 1 week 1 (4/7/13). The streak ended on a flyout to RCF in b-3rd game 1. It is believed that his streak is a Kings record.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:    Umpire- Scott Snyder
Game 1: Bombers 23 (WP- Tzvi Friedman 5-0)   Northwest Corridor 5 (LP- Howard Goldberg 0-3) 5 Innings

The Bombers moved to a 5-0 record, defeating defending champs NWC 23-5 (after 5). Tzvi Friedman pitched a great game and the Bombers led by David Flamm, made many stellar defensive plays. The Bombers scored 5 in the top of the first against NWC starter Howard Goldberg. Shad singled, followed by a Croft single and a Ben Gutman walk to load the bases. Flamm hit a 3 run double for a 3-0 lead. Gershon’s double made it 4-0 and D. Gutman’s smash to LCF made it 5-0.

The Bombers increased the lead to 7-0 in the 2nd. Chaim walked, Zach singled and Ben and Flamm followed with RBI hits. NWC scored their first 4 runs in the 2nd to cut the lead to 7-4. The Bombers came storming back in the 3rd with 7 more to take a commanding 14-4 lead and knocked the wind out of NWC .Barnett and Dan singled and Loeb’s RBI single made it 8-4. Tzvi doubled to make it 9-4 and ,Chaim’s GO made it 10-4. Shad followed with an RBI triple and then Zach (4-4 – 4 runs scored) tripled Shad home. Ben, Flamm and Shulie joined in the fun with RBI’s to make it 14-4.

After NWC scored another run to make it 14-5, the Bombers scored 9 more in the 5th to end the game 23-5. It was the 4th time in 5 games the Bombers sent home their competition home early. Ben (4-4, 3 RBI’s, Flamm (4-4 – 5 RBI’s), Shulie all had RBI’s, Barnett had a 2 run triple and Chaim had a bases clearing double.

Game 2:   Northwest Corridor 4  (WP- Ted Winner 3-0)   Bombers 1 (LP- Tzvi Friedman 5-1) 

In game 2, Ted Winner pitched a masterpiece and NWC made all the plays in the field for a 4-1 defeat of the Bombers and hand them their first loss of the season. Friedman pitched even better in game 2 but the Bombers defense started the game off with 2 errors and NWC capitalized. NWC showed the hearts of champions in their victory.

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:      Umpire- Lane Gordon
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 18 (WP-Dave Davis 1-0)  Stingers 0 (LP- Larry Newman 2-1)  5 Innings

Old rivals The Bombers & NWC went to battle for the first time in 2013, but game #1 would prove to be anything but a tight game. The Bombers came out swinging and tee’d off on Goldberg to start the game. Poor defense didn’t help the NWC cause but it wouldn’t matter in this game anyway since The Bombers were flat out crushing the ball from the top of the lineup through the bottom. Tzvi Friedman had great stuff all game and kept the NWC hitter off balance enough to allow just 4runs on 6 hits. The game ended quickly after 5 innings and 23 Bombers runs.

NWC:
Gabe Unterman 2-2 R rbi 2b
Matt Silverman 1-2 R 2rbi 3b

Game 2: