The final three weeks have now begun. Each team has started to build themselves up for their post season run as a few individuals are really standing out with tremendous seasons. There is no doubt the Fall of 2012 will have an explosive finish:
(6 – 2) Pelham Blacktop Ballers at (7 – 1) Frozen Ropes
The makeup of the opener that was being played during the Week 1 Saturday wash out, these two teams have pushed themselves to the top of the class. After another huge sweep the previous week, where Steve Chodan pitched overall 9 innings, gave up 3 runs, and struck out 24 batters, the Ballers are among the stellar three so far. Steve Chodan also hit a homerun in both games while AJ Romano hit 2 in the opener and threw 2 innings of shut out ball in the second game. Pedro Maldonado also hit two homeruns in their eruptive first game that showcased their tremendous line up. They now move across the way to Murray Avenue Middle School Saturday morning to complete what had started over a month ago. The Ropes showed their prowess on the mound after flexing their offensive muscles the previous two games. Kyle Lucas was able to make Anthony Yurchak’s 6 inning no run effort stand as he hit 2 homeruns for all of his team’s scoring in the first game. Then, Steve Yurchak yielded only a run in the next 7 innings and hit a double to give his group the sweep. These squads are playing for their superiority in the league as well as strongly making a case for the number one seed.
(8 – 1) Raging Bulls at (1 – 7) Bronx Pistols
The Bulls were showing disparage in their two wins last week, but will take the sweep however it may come. They started by scoring 14 in less than a full inning as James Roucchio, Jim Wendling, and Dave Luongo all homered in the opener. Then in the second game, they edged out their opponents as Anthony Pogioreale hit his only of the day and James Roucchio got his second. Jim Wendling saved his own start by throwing 3 1/3 shut out innings and striking out 6. They now go to Pulaski Park in the Bronx Saturday morning to meet the powerful Pistols. Last weekend, the pitching could not be turned aside as Greg MacKoul surrendered only 2 runs in his first game back since the third week of the season and Randy Rhyne followed it up with a similar performance where he struck out 13 while giving up only 2 runs as well. They will have to start hitting with authority if they want to save their arms this weekend against one of the better offenses in all the MLSB.
(4 – 5) Shadyville Sluggers at (2 – 6) Mamaroneck Gas House Gang
The Sluggers have been riding a seesaw all season long that hit a lull last weekend. Even so, they received a homerun and 7 innings with 14 strikeouts from their highly missed young buck Marvin Rosario, who they hope can help them change their fortunes this weekend. They’ll go northward to Albert Leonard Middle School Saturday morning to face off against the Gas House Gang. Despite introducing their latest addition John Quinn, the Gang were unable to capitalize on their opening game victory with a much needed second win. John still went 9 2/3 innings overall and struck out 4 of the first 7 batters his face while hitting a grand slam in the bottom half of the double header to put his team down by only 1 run. Ross Fomerand hit a homerun in that second game as well though their first game victory was highlighted by a team effort as each member in the line up drove in a run in their big 6th inning to get the win. The Sluggers have had many strong weekends at Albert Leonard before, but the Gang feel more comfortable in Westchester. The edge will go to whoever can get the bigger hits in the biggest spots.
(6 – 2) Pelham Blacktop Ballers at (7 – 1) Frozen Ropes
The makeup of the opener that was being played during the Week 1 Saturday wash out, these two teams have pushed themselves to the top of the class. After another huge sweep the previous week, where Steve Chodan pitched overall 9 innings, gave up 3 runs, and struck out 24 batters, the Ballers are among the stellar three so far. Steve Chodan also hit a homerun in both games while AJ Romano hit 2 in the opener and threw 2 innings of shut out ball in the second game. Pedro Maldonado also hit two homeruns in their eruptive first game that showcased their tremendous line up. They now move across the way to Murray Avenue Middle School Saturday morning to complete what had started over a month ago. The Ropes showed their prowess on the mound after flexing their offensive muscles the previous two games. Kyle Lucas was able to make Anthony Yurchak’s 6 inning no run effort stand as he hit 2 homeruns for all of his team’s scoring in the first game. Then, Steve Yurchak yielded only a run in the next 7 innings and hit a double to give his group the sweep. These squads are playing for their superiority in the league as well as strongly making a case for the number one seed.
(8 – 1) Raging Bulls at (1 – 7) Bronx Pistols
The Bulls were showing disparage in their two wins last week, but will take the sweep however it may come. They started by scoring 14 in less than a full inning as James Roucchio, Jim Wendling, and Dave Luongo all homered in the opener. Then in the second game, they edged out their opponents as Anthony Pogioreale hit his only of the day and James Roucchio got his second. Jim Wendling saved his own start by throwing 3 1/3 shut out innings and striking out 6. They now go to Pulaski Park in the Bronx Saturday morning to meet the powerful Pistols. Last weekend, the pitching could not be turned aside as Greg MacKoul surrendered only 2 runs in his first game back since the third week of the season and Randy Rhyne followed it up with a similar performance where he struck out 13 while giving up only 2 runs as well. They will have to start hitting with authority if they want to save their arms this weekend against one of the better offenses in all the MLSB.
(4 – 5) Shadyville Sluggers at (2 – 6) Mamaroneck Gas House Gang
The Sluggers have been riding a seesaw all season long that hit a lull last weekend. Even so, they received a homerun and 7 innings with 14 strikeouts from their highly missed young buck Marvin Rosario, who they hope can help them change their fortunes this weekend. They’ll go northward to Albert Leonard Middle School Saturday morning to face off against the Gas House Gang. Despite introducing their latest addition John Quinn, the Gang were unable to capitalize on their opening game victory with a much needed second win. John still went 9 2/3 innings overall and struck out 4 of the first 7 batters his face while hitting a grand slam in the bottom half of the double header to put his team down by only 1 run. Ross Fomerand hit a homerun in that second game as well though their first game victory was highlighted by a team effort as each member in the line up drove in a run in their big 6th inning to get the win. The Sluggers have had many strong weekends at Albert Leonard before, but the Gang feel more comfortable in Westchester. The edge will go to whoever can get the bigger hits in the biggest spots.
