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2007 Pikesville Men's Softball League
Week 9: June 3, 2007

Northwest Regional Park Field 1:
Game 1: Sky & Sky Inc. 13 (WP-Larry Newman 2-5) Northwest Corridor 8 (LP-Ted Winner 3-3)

After the 2 week layoff NWC was eager to return to the Northwest Regional Fields and to their winning ways. Their opponent, none other then new league rival Sky&Sky. This was the first matchup this season between the 2 teams. The 2 teams split games in the playoffs last year with NWC defeating Sky in the 2nd game to advance to the final four. Sky&Sky came out with a full squad and looked like the team we've known for the last few years. They blasted 5 quick runs in the bottom of the 1st and added 4 more in the bottom of the 2nd. NWC's bats were cold to start the 1st but managed 6 runs in the top of the 2nd. Gabe Unterman drove in a run with a triple to right field and Matt Bell's screaming line drive drove in 2 runs legging out an inside the park home run. Scott Sweren finished off the inning with an inside the parker of his own, his first of two on the day. Larry Newman kept the NWC bats relatively quiet for the rest of the game. Sky&Sky would add 2 more in the 3rd and 2 more in the 4th before the NWC defense and Teddy settled down. Final score Sky&Sky-13 NWC-8.

Hitting Stars For NWC:
Scott Sweren 2-4 2hr 2r 4rbi roe
Adam Silverman 2-3 bb r
Howard Goldberg 2-4

Game 2: Sky & Sky Inc. 10 (WP-Zach Scherr 1-3) Northwest Corridor 5 (LP-Howard Goldberg 3-3)

Game 2 NWC struck first with consecutive singles from Lee Pollak, Scott Sweren and Chris Canosa. Sky&Sky would erase the 2run deficit quickly in the 2nd inning scoring 4 runs off of NWC pitcher Goldberg. Glenn Ackman came out of retirement to start a rally of 3 consecutive Sky&Sky extra base hits. Sky&Sky added 3 more runs in the 3rd and 2 more insurance runs to capture the victory. NWC's bats were pretty quiet against Zach Scherr scoring in 4 out of 7 innings but never putting a real rally or threat together.

Hitting Stars For NWC:
Scott Sweren 3-4 2r 3b
David Stein 2-3 3b r rbi
Chris Canosa 2-4 rbi

Game Notes:
Scott Sweren increased his franchise record hit streak to 34 games.
David Stein made his season debut at third base looking like a gold glover, robbing several Sky&Sky hitters of base hits. His sno cone leaping catch and 2 rocket throws are still being shown on sportscenter.
NWC lost yet another player to injury with Scott "lunchbox" Landsman going down for the season with a torn labrum, mangled knee and broken heart. Opponents must find another NWC player to courtesy run for now on.
NWC would like to thank "the glue" for still coming out to keep score despite the horrid weather

Northwest Regional Park Field 2:
Game 1: DC Dental 8 (WP-Scott Leder 1-0) L.O.F.T. 3 (LP-Kory Rosenberg 0-5)

With a disappointing early season loss to the Stingers leaving a bad taste in the mouths of the DC Dental, DCD looked to sweep LOFT to move into position for 3 rd place. After a couple of quiet innings offensively, DCD came through with 6 runs in the 3rd, highlighted by a Yoni Rosenblatt double and a Tzvi Friedman triple. This inning was marred by a grievous offense by Tzvi Friedman, which is quickly becoming known as the "biggest bush league play in the history of Pikesville softball." What did the bush do wrong to be associated with that term, anyway? DCD was aided by some solid outfield play by Ben Gutman and clutch base hits from Rabbi David Finkelstein. An excellent outing by rookie Scott Leder helped seal the deal in an 8-3 DCD victory.

L.O.F.T. was coming off a win 2 weeks prior and looking to build on the victory. The game was a pitchers duel through the 1st innings as neither team was unable to score. In the bottom of the 1st L.O.F.T. gave away 2 free outs but making late decisions trying to go 1st to 3rd and getting thrown out attempting to go back to 2nd. The game was broken open when DC Dental tallied 6 runs in the top of the 3rd after a bush league play made by a DC Dental baserunner yelling "Mine" and boxing out L.O.F.T.'s 3B on pop up in the infield down the 3rd baseline-- it wasn't the reason for the big inning, but it was still bush league. L.O.F.T. was unable to put up much offense only scoring 1 in the bottom of the third and scoring 2 in the bottom of the 6th highlighted by a Rosenberg RBI triple scoring Andy Peksa all the way from first; yes everyone on L.O.F.T. was suprised as well that Peksa could score from 1st. In the end L.O.F.T. was unable to muster up enough offense to get back in the game.

Offensive Stars for LOFT:
Dan Mabry: 2-3; 2 1B, RBI
Kory Rosenberg: 2-2; 1B, 3B, BB, RBI, R
Andy Peksa: 2-3; 2 1B, R

Offensive stars for DCD were:
Yoni Rosenblatt: 2-3, 2 2b
Rabbi Finkelstein, 2-3
Sam Luxenberg: 2-4, 2 2b

Game 2: DC Dental 16 (WP-Meir Zoller 3-1) L.O.F.T. 8 (LP-Andy Peksa 2-5)

LOFT seemed to be fired up by the bush league play from game 1, and they promptly jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. DCD chipped back with single runs in the 1 st and second (Yoni Rosenblatt HR), and then busted through with an 11 run 3rd inning to put the game out of reach. Yoni Rosenblatt hit his 2nd HR of the game and Kivi Gross added a clutch double. A well pitched game by Meir Zoller helped DCD cruise to a 16-8 victory.

Andy Peksa took the mound in game 2 for L.O.F.T. with his 2 game win streak on the line. Peksa pitched well over the first 2 innings only giving up 1 run in each inning. L.O.F.T. was able to score 3 in the top of the 1st on RBIs from Andy Peksa, Kory Rosenberg and Brett Henry. L.O.F.T. also tacked on another 2 in the top of the 2nd off RBIs from Mike Bowen and Brandon Mabry. L.O.F.T. had a 5-2 lead after 2 innings until DC Dental turned up the offense and scored 11 runs in the bottom of the 3rd and didn't look back. Peksa pulled himself out of the game after that and let Rosenberg come back out who shut DC Dental down only allowing 3 runs over the next 3 innings and that was in the bottom of the 6th, but L.O.F.T. was unable to put enough runs on the board to get back in the game.

Offensive Stars for LOFT:
Ryan Mente: 3-3; 2 1B, 2B, 2 R
JC Beattie: 2-3; 1B, 3B, 2 RBI
Brandon Mabry: 2-4; 1B, 3B, RBI, 2 R
Dan Mabry: 2-4; 1B, 3B, RBI, R
Andy Peksa: 2-4; 2 1B, RBI

Offensive stars for DCD were:
Ben Gutman: 3-4
Tzvi Friedman, 2-3, BB
Dovid Flamm, 2-3, BB
Yoni Rosenblatt: 3-3, 2HR, 2B

DCD Note:
For his bush league play, pitcher Tzvi Friedman has been kicked off of the DCD roster for the rest of the season.

Game Notes:
- L.O.F.T. had several mental errors in the field today, but Mike Bowen did make 2 great diving catches in game 2 robbing DC Dental hitters of base hits. Brett Henry also had a diving stop in the hole and took the short play to 2B to end the inning in game 2.
- L.O.F.T. got a new player this week, Mike Marcovich, and he went 4-6 in his debut.
- Emotions were high in both games as warnings were given by umpire Scott Snyder to both teams in both games, but no ejections ever came.

Northwest Regional Park Field 3:
Game 1: Havana Club Cannons 12 (WP-Mark Yokel 7-0) Kings 11 (LP-Chuck Grant 8-3)

The Kings and the Cannons renewed their friendly rivalry and a rematch of the 2006 League Finals. Again it was the Cannons coming out on top in both 1 run games, winning the opener 12-11.

In t-1st, Jeff Kurland leading off doubled to LF and tagged up 2 bases on Chuck Easter's deep SF to RCF. A Lou Falcon RBI single and Steve Henneman SF gave the Cannons the 3-0 lead t-1st lead. Kings got back 2 of the runs in b-1st with a fielder's choice RBI by Chuck Grant and RBI single by Chris Zoeller. In b-3rd, Kenny Salzman singled with 1 out and following a groundout scored on Shilo Merwitz' RBI single, tying game 3-3. With 2 out and none on in t-4th, Tim Grap singled and scored on a Steve Hayes RBI 2B. Hayes then scored on a Mark Yokel RBI single. Cannons now led 5-3. In b-4th, Zoeller singled to lead off inning with Keegan Rettaliata hitting an RBI single, pulling the Kings within 5-4. In t-5th, the first 3 Cannons batters hit safely with a Shawn Warner 2B, Mike Stellar RBI 3B, and Lou Falcon RBI single putting Cannons further ahead 7-4.

Kings bats exploded in b-5th. One out hits by Kenny Salzman (1B), Dave Sandler (RBI 3B), Shilo Merwitz (RBI 1B), Chuck Grant (1B) and a Chris Zoeller RBI fielder's choice tied score 7-7. Jan Katzen's RBI single put Kings ahead 8-7. Following a Chris Knorr 1B, Keegan Rettaliata launched a 3-RBI HR over the LCF fence, putting Kings ahead 11-7.

The lead for the Kings did not last long. RBI's by Jeff Kurland (1B) and Chuck Easter (SF) proceeded a 2-RBI HR over the RCF fence by Shawn Warner. The Kings were unable to score in b-6th, so the score was tied 11-11 entering the 7th inning. Steve Henneman led off the Cannons t-7th with a 3B and scored on Johnny Edelman's SF to LCF. The Kings got a 2 out 1B by Chris Knorr in b-7th, but Mark Yokel was able to retire Keegan Rettaliata on a groundout to end game.

Offensive Stars in game 1:
Cannons (15-34,12 R,12 RBI,4 2B,2 3B,1 HR,2 W,1 K,4 SF)
Jeff Kurland (3-4,2 R,1 RBI,2B)
Shawn Warner (2-3,3 R,2 RBI,2B,HR,W)
Mike Stellar (2-4,2 R,1 RBI,3B)
Lou Falcon (2-4,2 RBI)
Steve Hayes (2-4,2 R,1 RBI,2 2B,K)
Mark Yokel (2-3,1 R,1 RBI)

Kings (21-41,11 R,11 RBI,1 2B,1 3B,1 HR,0 W,0 K,0 SF)
Kenny Salzman (3-4,2 R)
Dave Sandler (2-4,2 R,1 RBI,3B)
Shilo Merwitz (3-4,2 R,2 RBI,2B)
Chris Zoeller (2-4,2 RBI)
Chris Knorr (3-4,1 R)
Keegan Rettaliata (3-4,1 R,4 RBI,HR)
Troy Hendricks (2-3)

Game 2:

Havana Club Cannons 10 (WP-Tom Paulshock 5-0) Kings 9 (LP-Chuck Grant 8-4)

This game looked to be decided early as Cannons grabbed 10-1 lead after 2 innings, but the Kings fought back valiantly and gave the Cannons a scare, with the Cannons winning 10-9. Cannons scored 6 runs in b-1st as Kings were quite sloppy in the field, committing 3 errors in the light rain. 2 RBI single by Lou Falcon and 3 RBI HR by Johnny Edelman keyed the inning. Cannons added 4 runs in b-2nd as Kings committed 2 more outfield errors with the only RBI's coming from Mike Stellar (SF RBI) and Edelman (RBI 1B). Kings starter Chuck Grant slammed the door on the Cannons bats and with the improved Kings defense for the rest of the game, the Kings were able to peck away at the Cannons huge lead.

Trailing 10-1 after 3 innings, RBI 2B by Chris Knorr, RBI 3B by Keegan Rettaliata, and RBI 1B by Robbie Ressin made score 10-4. The score stayed the same into the t-6th when Kings got back into game with 5 runs keyed by 2 out RBI single by Kenny Salzman and 3-RBI HR by Troy Hendricks. Trailing 10-9 into the 7th inning, Chuck Grant drew a leadoff walk. Jan Katzen singled with 1 out to push Grant to second base. With the tie run at 2B and 1 out, the Kings were unable to get a game tying hit off Cannons starter Tom Paulshock in their final 2 chances.

Cannons offensive stars in game 2:
Steve Henneman (2-4)
Chuck Easter (2-4,2 R)
Shawn Warner (3-3,2 R,W)
Lou Falcon (3-4,2 R,2 RBI)
Johnny Edelman (2-2,1 R,4 RBI,2B,HR,2 W)

Kings offensive stars in game 2:
Troy Hendricks (3-4,1 R,3 RBI,HR)
Jan Katzen (2-3,1 R,W)
Keegan Rettaliata (2-4,2 R,2 RBI,3B)
Robbie Ressin (2-2,1 RBI,W)

Northwest Regional Park Field 4:
Game 1: Stingers 16 (WP-Darron Tabatznik 1-3) NEK Entertainment 7 (LP-David Pridgen 2-3)

Stingers opened game 1 with borage of walks and singles off NEK. With runners on all bases, Mike Basoco slapped a shot into right that put the Stingers on the board with two. Matt Friedman would do his duty in putting another RBI, along with Brad Starobin his part in putting runners across to plate to total seven runs in the t-1st. Darron Tabatznik took the hill with Brad Starobin giving up his body on the day to blank NEK for the first two innings along with timely defense from the gold gloves of Aaron Shiffrin and Tim Palo.

NEK would come back into the game from Stingers’ errors and slippery fielding conditions to plate seven in the b-3rd, but it was all they could do for the game. Tabatznik and Starobin along with supporting defense from the rest of the Stingers would take the morning win.

Game 2: Stingers 7 (WP-Darron Tabatznik 2-3) NEK Entertainment 5 (LP-Jeff Harris 3-4)

Game two had a little different feel. Battling back and forth through four innings to plate runners, NEK and the Stinger would be tied through four innings at one each. It wasn’t until the b-4th that Basoco opened the door along with Palo’s single and a Mike Beverly double to plate a run for the Stingers. Shiffrin would finally get his bat going with a laser like triple over the left outfield of NEK. Friedman would do the same with his blast in the same left side of NEK for a double to plate Shiffrin.

NEK would muster another run in the t-6th, but that was all the Stingers defense would allow. T-7th brought two insurance runs from Palo’s single to get on base followed by a monster triple from Sean Murphy. Shiffrin would do his part and SAC to plate Murph. B-7th, NEK did what they could with some odd calls from the umpire , who was all over the place on calls and missing most of the outs or strikes and balls called to plate three more, but it would the Stingers who prevail to take the sweep today.