Salmon Limousine Services Rays 8 vs. Iron Horse Transport Blue Jays 5
The Rays opened their playoff run with a convincing 8-5 victory over the battling Blue Jays. This was a total team effort, and each and every team member helped the Rays win the game. Pitching was huge, with Jordan Greiff and Jacob Seidenberg pitching 3 dominant innings apiece, each with an abundance of strikeouts. Hitting stars came from up and down the lineup, with key hits and RBIs by Jordan Greiff (1 RBI and multiple hits), Matt O’Connor (momentous 2-out, 2-RBI double in the 1st inning), Jack Tucker (1 RBI double), Brian Volk (game changing 2 RBI double with the bases loaded and the Rays clinging to a 3-2 lead) and Ryan Hodes (who followed Brian’s big hit with a huge hit of his own, knocking in 2 more runs). Excellent defense was also displayed all over the field, with special mention to Jared Schwartz who, while playing 3B, teamed with Brian Volk to nail a stealing runner at third in the 6th inning, squelching a late rally. Other defensive gems were turned in by Michael Telsey (great catch of pop-up with the sun in his eyes), Joey Jacobs, Jordan Greiff (stabbing hot shots while pitching), Jacob Seidenberg (great pick at 3B and throw to 1B for an out), Jared Hodes and Karan Thadhani. Next stop for the Rays – Championship Saturday!
Salmon Limousine Services Rays 4 vs. Modell’s Pirates 0
The Rays emerged as the 2010 Champions of the Merillon Minors Division thanks to a hard-fought, well-played, 4-0 Championship Game victory versus the powerful Pirates. It took a total team effort to capture the title, and it all started with dominant, shutout pitching from the “J. Crew” tandem of Jordan Greiff (3 IP, 5 Ks, 1 H, 2 BBs) and Jacob Seidenberg (3 IP, 4 Ks, 1 H, 1 BB). These two flame-throwers kept the potent Pirate bats at bay all afternoon. The game was scoreless into the bottom of the 2nd inning, when Brian Volk walked with one out and stole second. After a strikeout, Ryan Hodes ripped a huge 2-out double to move Brian to third. Jared Hodes then knocked in the first run of the game and was foiled in his bid for a second RBI when a perfect relay nailed Ryan at the plate. The score remained 1-0 into the bottom of the 5th inning. Jared Hodes once again came up clutch by singling with one out to start a rally. After a key walk to Karan Thadhani and a fielder’s choice and stolen base by Jared Schwartz, Jacob Seidenberg delivered two crucial insurance runs with a bloop single over second base. After stealing second, Jacob scored on a smash double by Jordan Greiff, ending the Rays scoring for the game. The game would not have been a shutout without the solid defense turned in all over the field. Jared Hodes caught a tough fly ball in right center, Jacob Seidenberg and Jared Schwartz both threw out runners on ground balls to third base, Jared Schwartz and Brian Volk were rocks behind the plate, Matt O’Connor played a flawless first base, and Joey Jacobs, Michael Telsey and Jack Tucker were perfect in the field. It was a great ending to a great season with a great bunch of kids. A final shout out to the 2010 Merillon Rays: Jordan Greiff, Jared Hodes, Ryan Hodes, Joey Jacobs, Andrew Kadish, Jacob Leventhal, Matt O’Connor, Jared Schwartz, Jacob Seidenberg, Michael Telsey, Karan Thadhani, Jack Tucker and Brian Volk. Congratulations guys!
Sportography Cardinals Vs. Piccolo Italian Gourmet Diamondbacks
In what was their last game of the regular season before heading into the playoffs, the mighty Cardinals displayed power pitching, an offensive surge and speed around the bases against a talented Diamondbacks team this evening at the Herricks Ball Field. Pitcher Philip Chang was once again dominant on the mound as he struck out 5 batters over 2 innings and also contributed offensively with a stolen base and a run scored. Christopher Carbone followed on the hill with 3 strikeouts of his own over 2 scoreless innings and was the Cardinals offensive star of the game with 2 singles, a triple, 4 RBIs and a run scored. Matthew Rivera not only followed with another impressive pitching performance including 3 strikeouts over an inning, but also added to the offense with a stolen base, 2 RBIs and a run scored. Joseph Dampman closed out the game with a solid inning of his own on the hill. Slugger John Napolitano continues to swing a hot bat with a single and his fourth home run of the season while also recording 2 stolen bases, 3 RBIs and a run scored. Matthew Notine had a breakout performance with his first hit of the season along with a stolen base and a run scored. Tyler Dauble did another great job behind the plate as catcher and contributed offensively with 2 stolen bases while Spencer Horowitz also scorched the base path with 3 stolen bases of his own which lead to 2 runs scored. Scott Schanter continues to display his defensive range with another impressive outing at 2nd base as he caught a fly ball hit over his head and into the outfield. Richard Song and Anthony Treadwell combined for an RBI and 3 runs scored while AJ DeVito and Aditya Jindal each flashed the leather in the field. On to the Upper Farms Playoffs! Go Cardinals!
Sportography Cardinals Vs. Piccolo Italian Gourmet Diamondbacks
In what proved to be an incredibly exciting opening round playoff game, the mighty Cardinals displayed pitching dominance, timely hitting and speed around the bases against a solid Diamondbacks team today at the Merillon Complex. Pitching ace John Napolitano was once again dominant on the mound with 5 strikeouts over 2 innings while holding an impressive lineup scoreless – he also contributed offensively with 2 singles, a stolen base, 2 RBIs and a run scored. Christopher Carbone followed with his best pitching performance of the season tossing 5 strikeouts over 2 innings and also added to the offense with a single, a stolen base, an RBI and 2 runs scored. Philip Chang closed out the game with 3 strikeouts of his own over a scoreless inning and also contributed offensively with a single, 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored. The offensive star of the game for the Cardinals was Joseph Dampman who drove in 3 runs on a very timely bases-loaded triple in the bottom of the 5th inning and also scored a run. Matthew Notine also drove in 2 runs on a single hit sharply down the first base line in the bottom of the 4th inning while Richard Song and Anthony Treadwell scorched the base path with 2 stolen bases each. Tyler Dauble did another great job behind the plate as catcher while Scott Schanter once again displayed his defensive range with another impressive outing at 2nd base. AJ DeVito and Matthew Rivera added to the offense with an RBI and a run scored while Spencer Horowitz and Aditya Jindal each flashed the leather in the field. On to the Upper Farms Semifinals! Go Cardinals!
Sportography Cardinals Vs. Gigi’s Pizza Marlins
In a true gem of a Little League game, pitching and defense was the name of the game on both sides of the field as the mighty Cardinals squared off against an impressive Marlins team in an incredibly exciting second round playoff game at the Herricks Ball Field this evening. Pitching ace John Napolitano was once again dominant on the mound with 4 strikeouts over 2 scoreless innings while also contributing offensively with a single, a stolen base and a run scored. Matthew Rivera followed with his best pitching performance of the season tossing 4 strikeouts over 2 scoreless innings and displayed nerves of steel by getting out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the 4th inning with 3 straight strikeouts; he also added to the offense with 2 stolen bases in the top of the first inning and scored a run. Philip Chang closed out the game with 4 strikeouts of his own over 2 scoreless innings and also contributed offensively with his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the top of the 1st inning. The offensive star of the game for the Cardinals was Matthew Notine who drove in 2 runs on a very timely bases-clearing single in the bottom of the 1st inning. Outstanding defense was once again on display as star catcher Tyler Dauble handled a quick throw from the pitcher and applied a perfect tag on a runner attempting to score from third base in the bottom of the 2nd inning; he also added to the offense with a single and a run scored. Joseph Dampman contributed to the offense with a stolen base and a run scored and was once again solid defensively while AJ DeVito, Richard Song and Aditya Jindal scorched the base path with a combined 5 stolen bases. Spencer Horowitz and Anthony Treadwell each flashed the leather in the field. A special thanks goes out to Scott Schanter who suffered a broken finger earlier in the day but still came down to the ball field to cheer on his teammates. On to the Upper Farms Championship Game! Go Cardinals!
Sportography Cardinals vs. Hillside Beverage Rockies
In what proved to be another true gem of a Little League game, offensive power was the name of the game on both sides of the field as the mighty Cardinals squared off against a relentless Rockies team in an incredibly exciting Championship baseball game at the Merillon Complex this afternoon. The game was extremely close throughout, with the lead changing hands nearly every inning. Although Pitching ace John Napolitano was solid on the mound with 4 strikeouts over 2 innings, it was his tremendously hot bat that carried the team as he hit a double and 2 home runs while recording 5 RBIs and a run scored. Christopher Carbone followed with a determined pitching performance of his own including a strikeout over 2 innings, but it was his timely hitting that secured the Cardinals victory as he drove in 2 runs on 2 singles including the game winner in the bottom of the 6th inning. Philip Chang closed out the game with an extremely strong performance on the hill including 4 strikeouts over 2 innings and also added to the offense with a single, a stolen base, an RBI and 2 runs scored. Also contributing offensively was Matthew Rivera with a single, an RBI and a run scored and AJ DeVito with 2 singles, a stolen base and a run scored while Spencer Horowitz had a single, a stolen base, an RBI and 2 runs scored, including the game winner in the bottom of the 6th inning as he raced across the plate and into the waiting arms of his jubilant teammates (and very proud father). Outstanding defense was also on display as third basemen Joseph Dampman cleanly fielded a ball hit sharply to the hot corner in the top of the 4th inning and quickly threw home to catcher Tyler Dauble who applied a perfect tag on a runner attempting to score. The two teamed up again on another close play in the same inning and just missed nailing a second runner at the plate. Aditya Jindal contributed to the offense with a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored while Matthew Notine also scored a run. Anthony Treadwell flashed the leather in the field. Once again, a special thanks goes out to Scott Schanter who despite being on the DL with a broken finger came down to the ball field to cheer on his teammates and celebrate in the team’s victory. Congratulations to the 2010 Upper Farms Champion Cardinals – thanks for a great season from a very proud Coach!
