Week #12 --  June 23, 2013

Highlights submitted thus far by all teams except Sky & Sky Inc.

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:    Umpire- Scott Snyder
Game 1: Northwest Corridor 12 (WP-Howard Goldberg 5-5)  Bombers 5 (LP-Tzvi Friedman 13-4)

Old rivals NWC & The Bombers squared off for a late June battle. They had split the doubleheader in their earlier season series. NWC’s bats jumped all over Tzvi Friedman early, plating 6runs in the 1st inning along with 5 in the 2nd inn and one more in the 3rd. the 3rd & 4th innings had NWC leave men in scoring position without further harm and Friedman started to gain more control and confidence towards the later innings. However, Goldberg was able to thwart several Bombers’ scoring attempts and defeat them in game #1 12-5. 6 NWC hitters enjoyed multi-hit games and Peterson & Webb had back to back fence shots.

NWC jumped on the Bombers in game 1 for a 12-5 victory. NWC dominated the game and the Bombers couldn’t get any timely hits against Goldberg except Ben’s 2 RBI base hit and Croft’s single, double, and triple. Aaron Birnbaum, playing 3B for NWC was a human vacuum cleaner. The Bombers were without Loeb, Raashad, Brad, and Jason and only played 10 players.

Hitting Highlights NWC:
Brad Rosenberg 2-3 2b sf rbi
Chris Morrison 2-3 2R rbi
Gabe Unterman 2-3 R 2rbi
Lee Pollak 2-3 2R 3b
Oliver Peterson 2-3 r 2b HR rbi
Up Webb 2-3 2R HR 4rbi

Game 2: Bombers 3 (WP-Tzvi Friedman 14-4)  Northwest Corridor 2 (LP-Ted Winner 6-4)

The Bombers won game 2, 3-2. After Friedman gave up 2 runs in the first, he held NWC’s powerful lineup scoreless the rest of the way. The Bombers tied the game and in the 7th birthday boy, Gabe Silber led off with a double over CF Herbst’s head. Flamm came in as a courtesy runner and Friedman was walked intentionally. Dan Gutman lined out but Ryan Barnett hit a deep shot over Herbst’s head for the game winner. Ted Winner took the loss.

The Bomber’s played great defense led by Flamm, our other birthday boy- Chaim , Gershon and Croft. The Bombers are now 16-4.

Game two brought a real pitcher’s duel and a playoff type atmosphere. Friedman and Ted Winner switched off shutting down each team’s offenses and killing rallies. Both teams scored in the 1st inning (NWC(2) Bombers (1)) but Friedman shut down the NWC offense & Winner let up just one more run in the 4th inning. Bottom of the 7th inning The Bombers went ahead for good to win the game after a Gabe Silber deep shot to left centerfield for a double. Friedman was intentionally walked & with one out in the inning, Ryan delivered a walkoff game winning line drive to right center over the NWC outfielder’s heads. 3-2

NWC game notes:
►NWC welcomed back longtime members Jeff Kurland & Scott Sweren temporarily to the lineup. Sweren saw limited action upon making his triumphant return to the team following 2 different hip surgeries.

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:    Umpires- Mark Radom
Game 1: Green Machine 18 (WP-Bob Mellonee 4-7)  Thunderbirds 4 (LP-Jay Walle 2-9) 5 Innings

TB led 1-0 after 1 on John Roiy's inside-the-park HR to right. GM scored 7 the next 2 innings and led 14-1 after 3. GM got 1 in the 4th and TB would match as David Woods 3B and scored on the throwing error to 3rd. GM 15 - TB 2. GM would plate 3 more in the 5th. TB would add 2 more as Maurice Jamison scored on Kevin Menedis' RBI 2B and Toby Garcia scored on Roiy's FC. GM won in 5, 18-4.

Green Machine, coming off their sweep of the Stingers, looked to continue their climb up the standings playing against the always tough Thunderbirds. GM went down 1-2-3 in the first inning, and then gave up an inside the park home run on a well hit shot down the right field line. Down 0-1, GM responded brilliantly in the 2nd inning when they batted around the order. Jonathan Stacey started the inning with a double, and after a Brad Verbosky walk and a Mike Silverman fielders choice, Mark Winkel hit a line drive down the 3rd base line to drive in Verbosky. Billy Giles followed that up with an RBI single, and then after a Pete Sclafani sac fly, Jeff Kapper hit an RBI double, Bob Mallonee singled, Josh Vaeth got an RBI single, and Nick Serkes blooped a 2 RBI double to plate the 6th and 7th runs of the inning. GM started it all over again in the 3rd inning with Verbosky and Silverman getting consecutive singles, Giles hitting an RBI double, Sclafani RBI single, Kapper sac fly, and then 3 consecutive singles from pinch hitter Rodney Baysmore, Vaeth, and Serkes. With men on first and second with 2 outs, Andy Peksa hit a ground ball to third baseman David Woods, who attempted to get the out at second base but they were unable to connect and the ball rolled into the outfield allowing both runners to score and Peksa getting caught trying to get to third base on the play, but not after GM had put another 7 runs on the board. In the 4th inning, Stacey led off with a single and Verbosky crushed an RBI double off the top of the fence in left center to make the score 15-2. The 5th inning saw the GM bats show up again with a Vaeth walk, Serkes double and Peksa drove them both in with a line drive single and then reached 3rd base on an error and scored after a Stacey sac fly. The Thunderbirds were able to string hits together in the bottom of the 5th inning to put 2 more runs on the board, but it was not enough as GM took the first game 18-4. GM decided to stick with the hot hand of Bob Mallonee on the mound and he once again did not disappoint keeping the Thunderbirds from getting comfortable at the plate.

Green Machine Do Gooders:
Josh Vaeth: 2-3, 1 BB, 3 R, 1 RBI
Nick Serkes: 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Andy Peksa: 2-4, 1 R, 4 RBI
Johnathan Stacey: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI
Brad Verbosky: 2-3, 1 BB, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI
Billy Giles: 2-2, 1 BB, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Jeff Kapper: 1-2, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Thunderbirds Offensive Leaders:
Kevin Menedis 1-3, 2B, RBI
John Roiy 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI
David Woods 2-3, 3B, R, RBI
Maurice Jamison 1-2, R
Toby Garcia 1-2, R
 

Game 2:  Green Machine 12 (WP-Bob Mellonee 5-7)  Thunderbirds 4 (LP- Will McCrae 0-1 ) 8 Innings

While game 1 saw Green Machine start out hot with their bats, game 2 was the antithesis. A combination of poor base running, the lack of timely hits, and poor management with the manager Winkel making the bold move to have Peksa pinch run for Vaeth made it so that GM was held scoreless for the first 4 innings. In the 2nd inning, Silverman led off with a double, Giles reached on an error, and Kapper walked to load the bases with no outs. Winkel popped up to shallow right field and then Sclafani hit it to third baseman Woods who was able to take advantage of terrible base running and got an unassisted double play to end the inning. The 4th inning saw another terrible baserunning gaffe; Verbosky led off with a single followed by a Stacey double to have runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Silverman had injured his leg but was still trying to play when he hit a ground ball to the left side of the infield. Stacey was running to 3rd trying to distract the throw, but was tagged out while trying to reach 3rd which caused Verbosky to start running and he was tagged out as well for a very odd double play. In the 5th inning, Winkel was able to lead off with an infield single then beat out the throw to second on an infield single by Sclafani. Baysmore lined an RBI single to score Winkel and a Peksa RBI single scored Sclafani to get 2 runs back. By this time the Thunderbirds were at 11 runs and GM was trying to claw back, but in the 6th inning after they got runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs GM were unable to plate any runs; including Winkel failing to drive in runners in scoring position once again. Down 9 runs going into the 7th inning, GM got 2 quick outs to start the inning sandwiching a Baysmore single. Peksa started the 2 out rally with an RBI double, Serkes walked, and Verbosky hit a hard single to drive in 2 runs. Stacey singled and the still hobbling Silverman hit a hard line drive to left to score another one. The Thunderbirds were gracious to let Silverman get a courtesy runner for the 3rd time in the game once again showing their class is unparalleled in this league. Giles was able to hit an RBI single to keep the inning going and Kapper walked to load the bases for Winkel, who finally didn't let his team down when he lined a double to score 2 runs and put the tying run on second base. With the game on the line, Sclafani hit a clutch double to left field which score Kapper and Winkel and tie the game for a miraculous come back. Unfortunately, Sclafani tweaked his hamstring on the play, so when Baysmore got his second hit of the inning, Sclafani was unable to score on the play and the game went into extra innings. Mallonee, pitching both games for the second week in a row, was able to shut down the Thunderbirds in the top of the 8th inning, and GM did not wait long to get going again with Peksa hitting a leadoff single. After a Serkes fly out, Verbosky hit a line drive to put the game winning run on 2nd base. The Thunderbirds put a big shift on for the big lefty Stacey, but Stacey was able to laser a shot into right field and Peksa used his lightning fast speed to score the run that completed the improbable comeback win for Green Machine for their franchise record 4th straight win. Cheers to both teams for a memorable game and the mutual respect that was showed by all.

TB jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 2 when Kevin Menedis scored on Will McCrae's FC and Darnell Maxwell's Sac Fly would bring in McCrae. TB added 3 more in the 3rd as John Roiy's 2B scored Reggie Molock and Manny Fontanez. David Woods' 1B would bring in Roiy. TB 5 - GM 0. GM added 2 in the 5th. TB responded as Tony Barner scored on Theo Battle's FC. Maurice Scott's 3B brought in Battle, Maxwell, and Maurice Jamison. Molock hit an inside-the-park HR to score and bring in Scott. TB 11 - GM 2.

Gm held TB in the 7th and scored 9 to tie and singled the winning run home in the 8th.

Thunderbirds Offensive Leaders:
Reggie Molock 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Manny Fontanez 3-4, 2B, R
John Roiy 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI, K
Tony Barner 2-4, 2B, R
Kevin Menedis 3-4, R
Maurice Jamison 2-3, BB, R
Maurice Scott 2-3, 2B, R, 3 RBI

Green Machine Do Gooders:
Andy Peksa: 4-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Brad Verbosky: 3-5, 1 R, 2 RBI
Johnathan Stacey: 3-4, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI
Mike Silverman: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI
Billy Giles: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Mark Winkel: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Pete Sclafani: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI
Rodney Baysmore: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:    Umpire- Trevor Walzl
Game 1: Kings 6 (WP-Rob Barrow 1-0)  Natty O's 5 (LP- RJ Seabeck 6-11) 8 Innings

An improbable finish as Kings #4 pitcher Rob Barrow picked up the win in relief and Brooks Sandler in his first at-bat of the season in b-8th produced the game winning RBI with a bases loaded walk as the Kings came from behind to defeat Natty O's 6-5 in 8 innings. The victory was costly for the Kings as infielder Shilo Merwitz and outfielder Jared Levine both left the game with injuries. Merwitz's injury was much more severe as subsequent x-rays revealed several fractured ribs and he will be out indefinitely. The Kings were already starting the day without #1 pitcher Chuck Grant who sustained an Achilles tendon injury while participating in a Saturday softball tournament a day earlier.

Kings #2 starter Mike Herr allowed a leadoff 1B to Kris Stahle, but retired the next 3 hitters on flyouts. In b-1st, Koby Sarubin led off with a 2B and with 2 outs, Arin Gelletly and Jan Katzen drew 2 out walks. Alan Varhaftik hit a 2 RBI 2B and Rob Barrow an RBI 1B to put Kings ahead 3-0. Natty O's cut into lead with 2 runs in b-1st. With 1 out, Nick Meyer singled and Rob Medoff doubled off the fence in RCF. Jason Smulson was retired on an infield out, with Meyer scoring and Rich Carey followed with an RBI 1B to RF scoring Medoff and cutting the Kings lead to 3-2.

Natty O's starter RJ Seabeck kept the Kings off the scoreboard in b-2nd and b-3rd. In t-4th, with 2 outs and 0 on, Meyer drew a walk, Medoff singled, and Smulson followed with an RBI 1B to LF. The throw to the plate was deflected out of play allowing Medoff to score and giving Natty O's 4-3 lead. Natty O's again scored in t-6th on singles by Meyer, Medoff, and Carey (RBI). With 2 outs, Jon Veditz singled to LF, but Medoff was nailed at the plate on a relay throw from Alan Varhaftik to SS Arin Gelletly to catcher Rob Barrow. The Natty O's lead was kept at 5-3.

In b-6th, Kings Alan Varhaftik (1B) and Steve Levy (BB) led off inning reaching base, but Kings stranded both runners and trailed 5-3 entering b-7th. In b-7th, Troy Hendricks who had earlier pinch hit for pitcher Mike Herr re-entered as a pinch hitter. He reached on an E5 to leadoff inning. Koby Sarubin followed with a 1B and Kenny Salzman drew a walk to load bases with 0 outs. Shilo Merwitz hit a ground ball to 3B with Natty O's third baseman Jason Smulson tossing to second base to force out Salzman. Merwitz running hard to first base to avoid a doubleplay fell over the base landing hard on his shoulder/chest. Hendricks scored on the play to make score 5-4, but Merwitz remained down in severe pain. Once Merwitz was helped off of the field, the game resumed. Arin Gelletly drew a walk to load bases with still 1 out. Jan Katzen hit a SF to LCF to tie score. Alan Varhaftik popped out to end inning, but the Kings had tied score 5-5.

With Hendricks pinch-hitting for Herr a 2nd time, Herr was out of the game. Kings ace pitcher was out with an Achilles injury. Merwitz, the Kings #3 pitcher was on his way to a medical facility for evaluation. The Kings turned to #4 pitcher Rob Barrow. Barrow had just 3 pitching appearances in the past 3 seasons.

In t-8th off of Barrow, Alan Monico led off with a 1B. With 1 out, Meyer singled and Medoff walked to load bases with 1 out. The Kings drew in the infield against Jason Smulson who had 2 RBI's thus far in the game. Smulson hit a line drive to LF Alan Varhaftik, but the ball was hit so hard that Monico didn't go back to third base early enough to tag up on the play. The bases remained loaded with 2 outs. Barrow was able to retire Carey on a groundout to thirdbaseman Jan Katzen.

In b-8th, Steve Levy and Rob Barrow singled to lead off inning. Brad Millison drew a walk to load bases. Brooks Sandler, who had entered game in 7th inning as an injury replacement for Jared Levine, stood at the plate making his first at bat of the season. A 3-1 pitch to Sandler was low and with the RBI walk, Levy scored the winning run for the Kings.

Natty O's game 1 offensive leaders:
Kris Stahle (2-4)
Nick Meyer(3-3,3 R,W)
Rob Medoff (3-3,2 R,W)
Rich Carey (2-4,2 RBI)

Kings game 1 offensive leaders:
Koby Sarubin (2-4,2 R,2B)
Alan Varhaftik (2-4,2 RBI,2B)
Steve Levy (1-1,1 R,3 W)
Rob Barrow (2-4,1 RBI)

Game 2:  Kings 12 (WP-Mike Herr 8-0)  Natty O's 0 (LP- RJ Seabeck 6-12) 

Kings starter Mike Herr tossed a 3 hit shutout as the Kings won the nightcap 12-0. The game was much closer than the final score would indicate as the Kings held onto a slim 3-0 entering the 7th inning. Mike Herr's last shutout also came against the Natty O's on June 10, 2012.

The Kings showed up to NWRP with 13 healthy players, but were down to 11 healthy players to begin game 2. After a scoreless 1st inning, Kings plated 3 runs in t-2nd. Alan Varhaftik led off t-2nd with walk and advanced to 3B on Steve Levy's 1B. Varhaftik scored on an RBI groundout by Hendricks. With 2 outs, Levy scored when Brad Millison's fly ball was dropped. Kings tacked on an additional run on Mike Herr's 2 out RBI 1B to RF.

The game remained 3-0 thru 6 innings as Herr and Natty O's starter RJ Seabeck settled into a groove. In t-7th, Kings produced 9 runs on just 5 hits, with 4 walks, and 3 errors.

Kings game 2 offensive leaders:
Kenny Salzman (2-3,1 R,2 RBI,W)
Alan Varhaftik (1-2,1 R,2 RBI,2 W)
Mike Herr (3-3,1 R,2 RBI)

Kings injury notes:
►Shilo Merwitz is out indefinitely with 4 fractured ribs. With his 1 hit in game 1 before the injury, Merwitz's Kings career hit total reached 498.
►Chuck Grant will be getting an MRI Monday or Tuesday to evaluate his Achilles tendon injury. He is also out indefinitely.
►Jared Levine is day-to-day with a lower body injury. Levine did enter game 2 for 1 defensive play to qualify for a game played.

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:      Umpire- Lane Gordon

Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 9 (WP-Jeff Harris 4-1)  Stingers 5 (LP- Larry Newman 4-10) 

Sky and the Stingers met for the second time this year. The morning game was slow for the Stingers as they would allow Sky to jump out to a 7-0 lead mostly incurred by a grand slam inside the park by Holly. Stingers would jump back into the game with two of their own in the t-3rd as once again, Larry Newman took matters into his own hands jumping on base with a pulled in Sky defense. Doug Conyers would jump on base and did Rob Elrich with their singles to load the bases and 2 outs. Sean Flynn woke his bat up with a sizzling 2rbi single. Newman would shut down Sky in the third and fourth with great defense from Gary Bosley in the middle outfield. In the b-5th, Sky would tack on 2 more runs to make it a 9-2 game after 5 innings of play. In thet-6th, Stuart Sheridan would get the bats warmed and start off the inning with a double, followed by Flynn again sending a dart for a single. With two runners on the bases, Mike Beverly found his old swing taking Sky long to the fence taking two outfielders to make the catch as they bobbled the ball by the fence. However it was long enough to drive in Sheridan and put another run on the board for the Stingers. With a deficit of 6 now, the Stingers would do a little more damage in the t-7th. Ed Bantrell would be issued a walk, followed by Derrick Mason’s single and Larry Newman single again owning Sky’s defense (2 for 3 in the morning). With two outs and runners on every base, Rob Elrich drove a ball straight down broadway scoring two additional runs and making it a 9-5 game. Unfortunately that would be all for the morning.
 

Game 2: Sky & Sky Inc. 9 (WP-Jeff Harris 5-1)  Stingers 6 (LP- Larry Newman 4-11)