Domenick’s Italian & American Delicatessen Mariners (6)
vs. Modell’s Rays (1)
Mariners’ pitchers James Castaldi and Dominick Picirrillo held the powerful Rays offense to only one run in a game that featured timely hitting and strong defense. Leading the Mariners offense was Thomas Mangin (2 for 2), Nick Lopez (triple), Jimmy Denara (triple and sac fly) and Shawn Chacko (clutch RBI single), while the defense was led by shortstop Andrew Colgan, who made a running Jeter-like, back-to-the-infield catch of a popup to shallow left in the third inning. Michael Zuschlag saw his 6 game hit-streak come to an end, but reached base safely twice. Harrison Nettler also reached base twice and stunned the crowd with a steal of home. John Denara, Parth Patel and Brandon Knupfer all hit the ball hard, but came away empty as the Rays displayed some strong defense of their own.
Domenick’s Italian & American Delicatessen Mariners (12) vs.
Grant Thornton LLP Pirates (4)
The mighty Mariners extended their current win streak to three games with dominant pitching by Andrew Colgan who flirted with a no-hitter into the fourth. In the second inning, Andrew was in such a groove that it took him only 9 pitches to record three strikeouts. James Castaldi led the offense with a double and two singles. Pirates leftfielder Michael Kurre made a fine play on one of Castaldi’s hits when he nearly threw out a Mariners runner trying to score at home. John Denara smacked a triple and a single, and Parth Patel, Mike Zuschlag and Shawn Chacko all smacked base hits to help the Mariners’ cause. Thomas Mangin continues to tear-up the base paths with six stolen bases and Jimmy Denara, Harrison Nettler and Brandon Knupfer provided solid defense in the field. Closer Dominick Picirillo pitched two scoreless innings, but not without a little excitement from Pirates slugger Sean O’Leary, who launched a shot destined for the bleachers in the sixth. Unfortunately for Sean, Mariners rightfielder Nick Lopez made a stunning running catch of the deep drive to end the game.
Robert J Kurre & Associates, PC Dodgers vs.
Denis Barber Shop Royals
May 26th – Great game by the Dodgers tonight against a very good Royal team. The Dodgers all hit well tonight with 7 players getting at least two hits. A few players really stood out; Joseph Mattei and Nicholas Ungania were both 3-3 and each with a great defensive play. Joseph with a stretch at first base, short hopped a ball thrown from third, for the out at first base and Nicholas with a diving catch at first base. James Asmus has been hitting well the last two weeks and contributed with his first double of the season. Stephen Bracco caught a hard hit lined drive at pitcher’s mound and doubled up the runner on third by throwing to an alert Justin Rosen covering the base. Our very own Rubinic triplets batted in the 1-2-3 spots in the order and combined for 8 hits, 6 runs and 5 RBIs. Nice game Dodgers.
The Stutzman Funeral Home Brewers
vs. the Gigi’s Pizza Angels
William Lentini pitched an inning, made two nice catches on throws at first base had 3 hits scored towruns and stole 3 bases. Frankie Stigliano made a nice stop at third base to prevent at least a triple, walked was hit by a pitch and scored a run. Aaron Lesser had two hits including a grand slam and drove in 5 runs and made a nice play at second base fielding a hard hit ball. Sam Motelson made a nice play at home to tag a runner trying to score and walked twice and stole 3 bases. Danny McClellan came in with the bases loaded and recorded three outs and was 3 for 3 with two doubles a single and 3 rbis. Siva Paturi was 1 for 3 with a single and made a nice play in the outfield. Virag Shah had a great day on his birthday going 2 for 3 at the plate. Justin Tamara made some excellent throws at catcher and tagged a runner out at home on a play at the plate. Adrian Balkcom made some nice plays at shortstop on some hard hit balls and also singled. Ibrihim Khwaja pitched and recorded three outs two on strikeouts and walked twice and played his best game of the season. Jared Puntus pitched an inning striking out two and singled and drove in a run at the plate. Another great game by both teams
Queens Garden Nursery Bears vs.
The Hillside Beverage Ducks
After endless days of miserable weather it was a gorgeous night for America’s pastime and the Bears made it a good one for their fans with a 7-2 victory. The Ducks played well but the Bear’s had strong defense in the field and hot bats at the plate and by the third inning took total control of the game. Anthony Pitre pitched the first three and allowed only one run, one walk and had four strikeouts. He would have been out of the first inning early but the Duck’s coach snagged what might have been a playable foul. Happily when that runner managed to advance and tried to steal home, catcher Corey Rutkin and short stop Anthony Lanzilotta played a little catch over his head and then Rutkin put the tag on him for the out. Pitre manufactured the Bear’s first run with a lead off single and successive steals all the way home to the dug out. It’s fair to say that the guys on the bench seemed pretty pleased with the man. The Duck’s scored in the top of the second to tie the score and the Bear’s went in order in the bottom of the inning. The game really started in the third. It seemed like the Ducks were in control as their lead off hitter blasted a double. It was not to be though as he started a routine steal off a big lead on what looked like a wild pitch but catcher Rutkin scooped it up, gunned it to Lanzilotta at third and the runner was out. The next batter reached on an error and again the steal, again the throw and voila, out at second, Rutkin to Yanni Rigos, short stop. A grounder to first and the Bears were up to bat. First two batters strike out. Pitre is up. What a ball player!! Two out double!! Lanzilotta is next. Single, sending Pitre to third. Matthew Vowinkle who has been clutch all year with runners in scoring positions, hits a solid ball to center, sends both men home. Score now stands 3-1 and Matthew earns himself game ball honors. Vowinkle goes to second on a Rigos single and then the two effect the double steal as Rutkin bats next. With the count 1 and 2, Rutkin swings and misses, somehow the Ducks miss the umpires call, assume the swing was strike three, the ball is live and the two runners come home. Score is 5-1. There is no score in the fourth. In the top of the fifth the Ducks rally and manufacture a run with excellent base running and a steal of home. Score 5-2. The Bear’s batters are having none of it. Anthony Lanzilotta leads off the bottom of the fifth with a triple then is called out on a close play trying to steal home. Matthew Vowinkle, men on base or not, slams it and gets a triple. Yanni Rigos gets the RBI with his second single of the game. Corey Rutkin sends him home with the third triple of the inning. The score now stands at 7-2 and that’s how it stays. Jason Seidman follows Rutkin with a single but the last two batters fail to produce. The Ducks don’t score in the sixth and the last regular season game is over. On to the play-offs.
Queens Garden Nursery Bears vs.
Salmon Limousine Services Inc Cyclones
It was a freezing cold night at Merillon as the Bears again faced off against their arch nemesis the Cyclones but the action on the field was so hot that the spectators almost (almost) forgot how chilly and miserable they were. In temperatures more suited to football, fans were treated to some terrific pitching, fielding, hitting and base running by both teams. The Bears have had a history of uncharacteristically sloppy baseball against this crew in games past but onthis night the boys were on, and left the field with a decisive 4-0 victory. Pitchers Christian Carrick and Yanni Rigos were both simply awesome. They split the game and between them had 7 strikeouts, one walk and allowed only 4 hits. Allowing for one breathtaking sliding catch by second baseman Anthony Pitre that would have made the highlight film of any real major league game this is still pretty incredible pitching against some of the best hitters in the Merrillon majors. Pitre made the catch with runners at second and third and no outs! Then Carrick struck out the next two batters. Catcher Corey Rutkin continued to do well behind the plate and threw out a runner in the third to end that inning with a Cyclone runner left on base. Matthew Vowinkle consistently kept the balls off the ground in center field as he does so well. Bears bats worked well. Yanni Rigos had two base hits, Christian Carrick a double and a triple, Corey Rutkin two base hits, Anthony Lanzilotta a double (RBI), Rich Lufrano a double (RBI), Matthew Vowinkle a single (RBI), and Jason Seidman a single. Max Cohn earned an RBI on a fielders choice. A really wonderful game that the whole team won together.
Chico Bail Bonds Cubs vs
Notre Dame CYO Padres
Thursday May 26 2011 a beautiful night for baseball. Both teams excited to play and a great game it was. Defensively the Padres playing their game making plays all over the infield. Justin Marsella and Nick Marsella turning another double play for team, Giuseppe Seidita making a nice play on a pop to make a put out. Michael Campagnuolo, Christopher Zovko making great attempts and putting their bodies in front of the ball. Great job boys.On offense with a monster day at the plate showing power Giuseppe Seidita going 5-5 with 4 huge doubles 7 RBIs and Nick Marsella going 4-5 with a 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. With multiple hits Steven Rabayo, Christian Sikiric, Anthony Stigliano and Stellios Bizekis giving all they can at the plate. Great job by all the boys making the effort and willingness to learn.
Hand Rolled Bagels Reds (4)
vs. Sportography Giants (4)
The Reds and Giants launched Memorial Day Weekend with a bang with some fast and furious Friday night fireworks. The Reds showed a staunch defense, with first-inning putouts by Matthew Baronci (caught fly ball in left field) and Raymond Gresalfi (flashing the leather with a fine play at second base for another out). Eric Del Valle featured prominently in the offense, with a single and double steal of home (Mike Mellone taking second on the play) early and a single and a steal of home late for a 4-3 lead. Nick Femina had another fine game, pitching 2 good innings, fielding a bunt for a fine play, and stroked a single to contribute offensively. Jonathan Lopez was on base twice, and ran the bases well, and Greg Capelle made a fine play on a grounder to first. The game ball went to Anthony DePompeis, who was tremendous, striking out more than a handful, mashing a fastball for a double, and preserving a hard-fought tie in the bottom of the last by inducing a grounder back to the mound for the final out with the potential winning run on third. What a game – Go Reds!
