We are now at the final week of the Spring Season of 2013. The first seven weeks of this new year of stickball have had some highs and lows already. With all of the dominance displayed in most cases, the bracket has been drawn, though there are still some spots left open. These final matchups will be the last to determine who starts their quest for the title where:
(8 – 4) Pelham Village Wine at (0 – 12) Queens Logic
The Wine continue to win, now spanning their streak over three weeks; grabbing 6 victories in a row. Their previous two wins were highlighted by 7 innings of shut out ball from Steve Chodan, a homerun by Joe Battaglia, 14 strikeouts in 5 innings from AJ Romano, and a homerun by Steve Chodan, upping his total to 10 for the season, and another from Joe Battaglia. With their powerful bashing and throwing, they are poised for another sweep as they travel to Pulaski Park in the Bronx Saturday to play the Queens Logic. The first season for the Logic has been a rough one, mired in tough losses and another inability to round up enough troops for a victory last weekend. They will return home with the hopes of gaining their first triumph against one of the strongest teams in the league, which would give them enough confidence to move ahead in the playoffs.
4 – 8 Shadyville Sluggers at (5 – 7) Showtime
A week against one of the big three in the league left the Sluggers scrounging this final week for wins in order to gain the four spot that is within their grasp. Marvin Rosario did throw 8 innings in total, including a complete game where he only surrendered 1 run, in their previous match up last weekend. They will need his arm to get them through this weekend’s double header in Queens on Saturday when they meet the Showtime. Though barely coming together, the Showtime were able to gain a split and finally end their losing streak last weekend. Mark Ferrari was huge for his squad as he pitched 9 2/3 innings and hit 3 homeruns in the double header: 2 in the second game including the game winning grand slam in the bottom half of the 7th to raise his total for the season to 12. Carmine DeStefano hit a homerun each game as well as going for the cycle in Game 2. Scott Freda made a noteworthy return to the stick ball league as he went deep twice in the second of two games to help his team get a victory. These two teams have fought tooth and nail all season and now head off to Electric Playground Saturday morning to finish off what they started.
(3 – 9) Stick’Em Up at (5 – 7) Tornadoes
The Stick’Em Up had a season filled with heartbreak and hope to right their ways and return to the winning side of the board Saturday morning. Mike Walsh was huge for his team as he went 7 strong innings in the opener last weekend, striking out 10 and giving up only 2 runs. He, as well as the rest of his crew, will have to be at the top of their game if they wish to match with the Tornadoes in Oceania Saturday morning. Follow an offensive display this past weekend, the Tornadoes show just how dangerous they can be. John Quinn won the opener with 17 strike outs in 6 2/3 innings and hit 2 homeruns to go with 8 hits overall that game. Steve Dachtera hit a homerun in the opener to help his team get the win and Joe LaMicela struck out 11 batters in his start the second game as well as hit for the cycle after a stellar 5 hit performance in the first half. Both of these squads have shown strength on either side of the field. They will now end their seasons against one another to find out if pitching can stop such great hitting or if hot bats can prevail.
(11 – 1) Raging Bulls at (12 – 0) Frozen Ropes
They have gone through the rest of the league swimmingly and now the Bulls take on their old blood rivals. Jim Wendling gave up one run in his seven innings of work while hitting 2 homeruns for his squad in the opener last weekend. Dave Luongo also went deep twice to help his squad grab their Game 1 victory. In Game 2, Joe Annoscia threw a shut out with 17 Ks as he had Jim Wendling’s solo shot hold up the whole 7 innings to complete the sweep. Facing the three time defending champs is trying enough, especially since they are coming off two straight weeks of rest. The Ropes were given 2 more wins without the need of playing the games, keeping their undefeated record for the Spring Season going. They will try to protect theirs, as well as their opponent’s, house at Murray on Saturday morning against their home field brothers. This could be a preview of the championship round, as it has been often in the past. Whoever comes out on top in this double header will maintain their confidence against the other team if they do meet in the finals.
(8 – 4) Pelham Village Wine at (0 – 12) Queens Logic
The Wine continue to win, now spanning their streak over three weeks; grabbing 6 victories in a row. Their previous two wins were highlighted by 7 innings of shut out ball from Steve Chodan, a homerun by Joe Battaglia, 14 strikeouts in 5 innings from AJ Romano, and a homerun by Steve Chodan, upping his total to 10 for the season, and another from Joe Battaglia. With their powerful bashing and throwing, they are poised for another sweep as they travel to Pulaski Park in the Bronx Saturday to play the Queens Logic. The first season for the Logic has been a rough one, mired in tough losses and another inability to round up enough troops for a victory last weekend. They will return home with the hopes of gaining their first triumph against one of the strongest teams in the league, which would give them enough confidence to move ahead in the playoffs.
4 – 8 Shadyville Sluggers at (5 – 7) Showtime
A week against one of the big three in the league left the Sluggers scrounging this final week for wins in order to gain the four spot that is within their grasp. Marvin Rosario did throw 8 innings in total, including a complete game where he only surrendered 1 run, in their previous match up last weekend. They will need his arm to get them through this weekend’s double header in Queens on Saturday when they meet the Showtime. Though barely coming together, the Showtime were able to gain a split and finally end their losing streak last weekend. Mark Ferrari was huge for his squad as he pitched 9 2/3 innings and hit 3 homeruns in the double header: 2 in the second game including the game winning grand slam in the bottom half of the 7th to raise his total for the season to 12. Carmine DeStefano hit a homerun each game as well as going for the cycle in Game 2. Scott Freda made a noteworthy return to the stick ball league as he went deep twice in the second of two games to help his team get a victory. These two teams have fought tooth and nail all season and now head off to Electric Playground Saturday morning to finish off what they started.
(3 – 9) Stick’Em Up at (5 – 7) Tornadoes
The Stick’Em Up had a season filled with heartbreak and hope to right their ways and return to the winning side of the board Saturday morning. Mike Walsh was huge for his team as he went 7 strong innings in the opener last weekend, striking out 10 and giving up only 2 runs. He, as well as the rest of his crew, will have to be at the top of their game if they wish to match with the Tornadoes in Oceania Saturday morning. Follow an offensive display this past weekend, the Tornadoes show just how dangerous they can be. John Quinn won the opener with 17 strike outs in 6 2/3 innings and hit 2 homeruns to go with 8 hits overall that game. Steve Dachtera hit a homerun in the opener to help his team get the win and Joe LaMicela struck out 11 batters in his start the second game as well as hit for the cycle after a stellar 5 hit performance in the first half. Both of these squads have shown strength on either side of the field. They will now end their seasons against one another to find out if pitching can stop such great hitting or if hot bats can prevail.
(11 – 1) Raging Bulls at (12 – 0) Frozen Ropes
They have gone through the rest of the league swimmingly and now the Bulls take on their old blood rivals. Jim Wendling gave up one run in his seven innings of work while hitting 2 homeruns for his squad in the opener last weekend. Dave Luongo also went deep twice to help his squad grab their Game 1 victory. In Game 2, Joe Annoscia threw a shut out with 17 Ks as he had Jim Wendling’s solo shot hold up the whole 7 innings to complete the sweep. Facing the three time defending champs is trying enough, especially since they are coming off two straight weeks of rest. The Ropes were given 2 more wins without the need of playing the games, keeping their undefeated record for the Spring Season going. They will try to protect theirs, as well as their opponent’s, house at Murray on Saturday morning against their home field brothers. This could be a preview of the championship round, as it has been often in the past. Whoever comes out on top in this double header will maintain their confidence against the other team if they do meet in the finals.
