Practically every team participated last weekend and the results are rather telling. There are again the elite three with many other groups doing their best to reach them at the top of the mountain. Following the fourth week, this new slew of double headers might shuffle the middle of the pack around a bit more:
(4 – 0) Pelham Village Wine at (7 – 1) Raging Bulls
They remain unbeaten and now face one of their toughest challenges of this young season. Steve Chodan was big for his squad as he threw 7 innings, giving up only 1 run, and struck out 12 while getting the game winning homerun in the bottom of the 6th to grab a victory for his team. He hit another homerun in the opener that followed Joe Battaglia’s 2 as Gus Mistopolous made his return, hurling 5 innings and striking out 11. They head back to Albert Leonard Middle School Saturday morning to face the Raging Bulls. Last week, the Bulls put on a hitting clinic against some rather stiff competition. Jim Wendling again was astounding as he added 5 homeruns to his already incredible total: 3 in Game 1 and 2 in Game 2. Dave Luongo had 3 long balls in both games – 2 in Game 1 – and Joe Annoscia added his own stamp with 2 in Game 1. Jim Wendling went all 7 in the opener, striking out 12 batters in the complete game, and Joe Annoscia fanned 17 in the second half in his complete game. These two squads have always played each other tough. What will happen when the defending champs and champion hopefuls square off this Saturday?
(0 – 4) Heavy Hammers at (5 – 1) Frozen Ropes
The Hammers have had a rough go their first season together. Following their two week absence, they look to get themselves off the mat and start putting together some victories. Their main highlights came from their captain Evan Rivels their last double dip as he hit 2 doubles in one game and threw 6 innings of quality ball. They seek to get things going Saturday morning against another particularly powerful squad, the Frozen Ropes. The Ropes were at it again last weekend, taking two from their opponents in impressive fashion. Tim Yurchak started the group off on the rectangle as he struck out 12 in 4 innings of work, giving up only 1 run. Steve and Anthony Yurchak both went deep that opener before Steve threw 7 innings, surrendering only 1 run, and striking out 15. Kyle Lucas was the big offensive weapon as he hit 2 homeruns and drove in the 3 necessary to win. These two squads are moving in different directions but a win for one over the other can change the course of the entire season.
(2 – 4) Pulaskis at (1 – 3) Stick’Em Up (Sun.)
Though the Pulaskis have shown up with the lumber and the arms, they are still struggling to find their stride. Last week, Greg MacKoul hit a homerun in each game and struck out 15 batters in the half he pitched but still couldn’t manage the win. Jon Hopkins also went yard for his squad in the second game though it wasn’t enough. They hope to turn their fortunes around this Sunday at the field they share their name with (Pulaski Park) in the Bronx when they stand against the Stick’Em Up. Following two weeks off, the Stick’Em Up are counting down the days till they are scheduled to return to the field. They haven’t shown since June when Alex Garcia and Anthony D’Amico made their returns with a flare. Alex hit a homerun and posted 6 strike outs in 3 2/3 and Anthony went long 3 times; twice in his first game in over a year. Mike Walsh also went long in the second game. There is a past amongst both these sides that will be evident when they meet one another this weekend. How it turns out is a prospect many are looking forward to.
(0 – 2) Gotham Ballers at (3 – 3) Tornadoes (Sun.)
After making their debut in the league, the Ballers had a two week break that should have given them enough rest to get them fired up for the rest of the season. Steve Marquez did all he could for his group as he hit his first homerun ever and struck out 4 in 3 1/3 innings of work over two games. They will venture into Oceania Middle School Sunday morning to face up against the Tornadoes. Though they struggled their previous weekend of play, the Tornadoes are still staying the course and are among the middle to top of the pack. Last weekend, they received big contributions by Hsi-yun Hsiung (Shoe), who tossed a complete game and gave up only 3 runs. Steve Tomasik was able to hit a big fly in the opener, providing a bulk of the team’s run output for the weekend. They hope to rebound this Sunday against the new kids on campus, but they will be hard pressed to keep these young folks down.
(4 – 0) Pelham Village Wine at (7 – 1) Raging Bulls
They remain unbeaten and now face one of their toughest challenges of this young season. Steve Chodan was big for his squad as he threw 7 innings, giving up only 1 run, and struck out 12 while getting the game winning homerun in the bottom of the 6th to grab a victory for his team. He hit another homerun in the opener that followed Joe Battaglia’s 2 as Gus Mistopolous made his return, hurling 5 innings and striking out 11. They head back to Albert Leonard Middle School Saturday morning to face the Raging Bulls. Last week, the Bulls put on a hitting clinic against some rather stiff competition. Jim Wendling again was astounding as he added 5 homeruns to his already incredible total: 3 in Game 1 and 2 in Game 2. Dave Luongo had 3 long balls in both games – 2 in Game 1 – and Joe Annoscia added his own stamp with 2 in Game 1. Jim Wendling went all 7 in the opener, striking out 12 batters in the complete game, and Joe Annoscia fanned 17 in the second half in his complete game. These two squads have always played each other tough. What will happen when the defending champs and champion hopefuls square off this Saturday?
(0 – 4) Heavy Hammers at (5 – 1) Frozen Ropes
The Hammers have had a rough go their first season together. Following their two week absence, they look to get themselves off the mat and start putting together some victories. Their main highlights came from their captain Evan Rivels their last double dip as he hit 2 doubles in one game and threw 6 innings of quality ball. They seek to get things going Saturday morning against another particularly powerful squad, the Frozen Ropes. The Ropes were at it again last weekend, taking two from their opponents in impressive fashion. Tim Yurchak started the group off on the rectangle as he struck out 12 in 4 innings of work, giving up only 1 run. Steve and Anthony Yurchak both went deep that opener before Steve threw 7 innings, surrendering only 1 run, and striking out 15. Kyle Lucas was the big offensive weapon as he hit 2 homeruns and drove in the 3 necessary to win. These two squads are moving in different directions but a win for one over the other can change the course of the entire season.
(2 – 4) Pulaskis at (1 – 3) Stick’Em Up (Sun.)
Though the Pulaskis have shown up with the lumber and the arms, they are still struggling to find their stride. Last week, Greg MacKoul hit a homerun in each game and struck out 15 batters in the half he pitched but still couldn’t manage the win. Jon Hopkins also went yard for his squad in the second game though it wasn’t enough. They hope to turn their fortunes around this Sunday at the field they share their name with (Pulaski Park) in the Bronx when they stand against the Stick’Em Up. Following two weeks off, the Stick’Em Up are counting down the days till they are scheduled to return to the field. They haven’t shown since June when Alex Garcia and Anthony D’Amico made their returns with a flare. Alex hit a homerun and posted 6 strike outs in 3 2/3 and Anthony went long 3 times; twice in his first game in over a year. Mike Walsh also went long in the second game. There is a past amongst both these sides that will be evident when they meet one another this weekend. How it turns out is a prospect many are looking forward to.
(0 – 2) Gotham Ballers at (3 – 3) Tornadoes (Sun.)
After making their debut in the league, the Ballers had a two week break that should have given them enough rest to get them fired up for the rest of the season. Steve Marquez did all he could for his group as he hit his first homerun ever and struck out 4 in 3 1/3 innings of work over two games. They will venture into Oceania Middle School Sunday morning to face up against the Tornadoes. Though they struggled their previous weekend of play, the Tornadoes are still staying the course and are among the middle to top of the pack. Last weekend, they received big contributions by Hsi-yun Hsiung (Shoe), who tossed a complete game and gave up only 3 runs. Steve Tomasik was able to hit a big fly in the opener, providing a bulk of the team’s run output for the weekend. They hope to rebound this Sunday against the new kids on campus, but they will be hard pressed to keep these young folks down.