There are only two weeks between the regular season and the final postseason run. The set up is being drawn out as there are three elite teams and those doing their best to catch up. After this previous weekend, the playoff picture is beginning to put itself together fully:
(7 – 3) Frozen Ropes at (10 – 1) Raging Bulls
Though it is a match up every season, the prospect of seeing the possible last two teams remaining after the playoff smoke clears is always exciting. Though the Ropes received 2 homeruns from Anthony Yurchak in Game 2 and a homerun from Kyle Lucas in the opener, they were unable to take any games from their opponents this past weekend. Seeing their adversaries this week can fill them with a need to win both, which makes them taking on the Bulls even more interesting. The Raging Bulls put on a clinic this past weekend, sweeping their double header in dramatic fashion. First, Jim Wendling posted 20 strikes outs as Anthony Pogioreale provided the offense with a 2 run shot that led to the first win. Then, Joe Annoscia hit 3 homeruns and drove in 8 as he pitched 4 no hit innings and struck out 9. Jim Wendling, Anthony Pogioreale, and Dave Luongo all went deep in the game as well. These two teams have much to play for and a history that is long and ever changing. Saturday morning at Albert Leonard Middle School will decide if one team stays on the top and the other slips down in the rankings.
(1 – 9) Bronx Pistols at 2 – 8 Mamaroneck Gas House Gang
It hasn’t panned out as Mike Walsh hoped when signing up this season, as was made evident in his squad’s previous inception this past weekend. With Ben Annoscia returning in a big way, Mike’s 7 innings of 3 runs and 11 strike outs almost pulled them through with an incredible upset as Ben went yard. If they can bring with them a full squad, they have a chance this weekend considering the amount of experience the Pistols possess. They will head to Murray Avenue Middle School to face up against the Gas House Gang. The Gang have been putting together a more consistent rotation yet still failed to gain a victory this previous week. Chris Schneer and Sean O’Malley both homered in their opener, with Chris going a triple shy of a cycle in the process. John Quinn and Scott Almazan both suffered individual big innings that led to their demise but their 7 and 6 inning performances kept their team in both ballgames, giving them a chance against their opposition this week. These two teams need wins and wait till Saturday to see if they can grab any from each other.
(8 – 2) Pelham Blacktop Ballers at (5 – 5) Stick’Em Up
With the Ballers, it was business as usual as their hitting came up huge for their team this previous weekend. Pedro Maldonado hit 2 homeruns and drove in 6 in their second game, come from behind win. Steve Choden struck out 18 batters in his Game 1 mound work and added another 3 in 2 innings of the second game. Joe Battaglia also hit a big fly in the second game and drove in his group’s other 4 runs for the win. They now drive southbound to Pulaski Park in the Bronx to meet the Stick’Em Up. Following a bye week, the Stick’Em Up hope to get themselves back together after a strong victory that came off a tough loss two weekends ago. Gabriel Viteri was able to strike out 14 batters in his 6 1/3 innings of work in the second game and was cruising until the last inning. He hit a homerun in the double header and Fabrizio Peralta hit 2, one in each game, and a triple to help them gain victory. These teams have seen one another many times in the past, and each time has had great meaning. This week is no different.
(6 – 5) Shadyville Sluggers at 2 – 8 Tornadoes (Sun.)
The Sluggers got back up off the mat and came out swinging to sweep their last series this past weekend. Miguel Cabezas fanned 13 in his complete game victory and Marvin Rosario struck out 19 in the bottom half of the double header. Jay Nestrosio had a day as he hit a homerun in both games and missed the cycle twice by a triple. Marvin Rosario was also a triple away from the cycle and hit a homer in both games himself. They stay in Queens, and their home field, to play guest to the Tornadoes. Though the group from Oceania Avenue School had an extra week to get back together, their previous weekend was one they’d like to put behind them with a couple of fresh games. Joe LaMicela was their lone shining spot as he hit a homerun in their second game. They hope to get more hitting and pitching in order to get some confidence against their home field rivals Sunday morning.
(7 – 3) Frozen Ropes at (10 – 1) Raging Bulls
Though it is a match up every season, the prospect of seeing the possible last two teams remaining after the playoff smoke clears is always exciting. Though the Ropes received 2 homeruns from Anthony Yurchak in Game 2 and a homerun from Kyle Lucas in the opener, they were unable to take any games from their opponents this past weekend. Seeing their adversaries this week can fill them with a need to win both, which makes them taking on the Bulls even more interesting. The Raging Bulls put on a clinic this past weekend, sweeping their double header in dramatic fashion. First, Jim Wendling posted 20 strikes outs as Anthony Pogioreale provided the offense with a 2 run shot that led to the first win. Then, Joe Annoscia hit 3 homeruns and drove in 8 as he pitched 4 no hit innings and struck out 9. Jim Wendling, Anthony Pogioreale, and Dave Luongo all went deep in the game as well. These two teams have much to play for and a history that is long and ever changing. Saturday morning at Albert Leonard Middle School will decide if one team stays on the top and the other slips down in the rankings.
(1 – 9) Bronx Pistols at 2 – 8 Mamaroneck Gas House Gang
It hasn’t panned out as Mike Walsh hoped when signing up this season, as was made evident in his squad’s previous inception this past weekend. With Ben Annoscia returning in a big way, Mike’s 7 innings of 3 runs and 11 strike outs almost pulled them through with an incredible upset as Ben went yard. If they can bring with them a full squad, they have a chance this weekend considering the amount of experience the Pistols possess. They will head to Murray Avenue Middle School to face up against the Gas House Gang. The Gang have been putting together a more consistent rotation yet still failed to gain a victory this previous week. Chris Schneer and Sean O’Malley both homered in their opener, with Chris going a triple shy of a cycle in the process. John Quinn and Scott Almazan both suffered individual big innings that led to their demise but their 7 and 6 inning performances kept their team in both ballgames, giving them a chance against their opposition this week. These two teams need wins and wait till Saturday to see if they can grab any from each other.
(8 – 2) Pelham Blacktop Ballers at (5 – 5) Stick’Em Up
With the Ballers, it was business as usual as their hitting came up huge for their team this previous weekend. Pedro Maldonado hit 2 homeruns and drove in 6 in their second game, come from behind win. Steve Choden struck out 18 batters in his Game 1 mound work and added another 3 in 2 innings of the second game. Joe Battaglia also hit a big fly in the second game and drove in his group’s other 4 runs for the win. They now drive southbound to Pulaski Park in the Bronx to meet the Stick’Em Up. Following a bye week, the Stick’Em Up hope to get themselves back together after a strong victory that came off a tough loss two weekends ago. Gabriel Viteri was able to strike out 14 batters in his 6 1/3 innings of work in the second game and was cruising until the last inning. He hit a homerun in the double header and Fabrizio Peralta hit 2, one in each game, and a triple to help them gain victory. These teams have seen one another many times in the past, and each time has had great meaning. This week is no different.
(6 – 5) Shadyville Sluggers at 2 – 8 Tornadoes (Sun.)
The Sluggers got back up off the mat and came out swinging to sweep their last series this past weekend. Miguel Cabezas fanned 13 in his complete game victory and Marvin Rosario struck out 19 in the bottom half of the double header. Jay Nestrosio had a day as he hit a homerun in both games and missed the cycle twice by a triple. Marvin Rosario was also a triple away from the cycle and hit a homer in both games himself. They stay in Queens, and their home field, to play guest to the Tornadoes. Though the group from Oceania Avenue School had an extra week to get back together, their previous weekend was one they’d like to put behind them with a couple of fresh games. Joe LaMicela was their lone shining spot as he hit a homerun in their second game. They hope to get more hitting and pitching in order to get some confidence against their home field rivals Sunday morning.
