David Leslie delivers a pitch against the Goats at School Street on Thursday
Dorian Grays 5
Plug Uglies 0
WP: Chris Bernacki
LP: Jeff Whitehead
A sweltering night at The Herl, the Plug Uglies set their sights on defeating the undefeated Grays. Alas, it was not to be as the the Grays put on a clinic on how to be a first place TNB+50 team: dominant starting pitching, an air tight infield, and pinpoint hitting.
The Uglies sent southpaw Jeff Whitehead to the mound to face Grays ace Chris “Nacho” Bernacki. The bats were mostly quiet until the 3rd when Brian Krylowicz singled, followed by Rick “Rickey Bobby” Fluerent squeezing another single. With two men on base Dave Rist singled in Krylowicz. Steve “Money” Monette knocked in two more with a single and the Grays were up 3-0.
In the bottom of the third the Uglies started a two out rally with Mike Olkin reaching on the only error of the game and Steve Wall singling to center. Bernacki bore down and induced a groundout to end the inning.
“Nacho” pitched 1-2-3 innings in the 4th and 5th. Not to be outdone, Whitehead did the same in 5th and 6th.
The Uglies opened up the bottom of 6th with three quick singles from Jeff Cabana, Rob “Ecc” Eccleston, and Eric “Noodles” Bennett. With the bases loaded and no outs Bernacki kept his cool, inducing an infield pop fly, a strikeout and 6-5 to get out of the jam.
The Grays added some insurance in the top of the 7th with a leadoff single by Monette, who scored on a triple to deep centerfield by Tim Zigda. Jay “Supe” Sadowski singled and runners were on the corners. John Malinowski reached on a fielders choice and up came Steve Powers, who hit a deep outfield shot that scored Zig. Ski rounded third to score but was rudely greeted at home plate by Matt Boulanger, who fielded an epic throw from the outfield by Bill Evans on a 7-6-2 play to plate. The runner was out with room to spare, but the damage was done and the Uglies were now down 5-0.
Bernacki made quick work of the Uglies in the bottom frame, ending the game on a 3rd strike looking. With a 5-0 win the Grays remain undefeated with two regular season games left.
“It was best played game I’ve been a part of this season, for both teams.” Plugs manager Chris “Chaka” Scanlon said after the game. “Both teams played well, but they just beat us.”
Grays of the game were Chris Bernanki (W, 7 IP, 5 hits, 7 Ks, 0 BB) and Tim "Zig" Sigda (2-3, single, triple, 1 R, 2 RBI)
Game photos courtesy of Jeff Whitehead
Phillies 1
Wonders 9
WP: Mike Krezmien
LP: Ken Sloat
As they would say in Boston, it was a "corkah" (very hot & humid) at Mitchell Field in Holyoke as the Wonders hosted the Phillies.
The Phillies got things rolling in the top of the first when lead off batter, Micah Winston bunted for a single. After a failed throwing error on a pick off, Winston advanced to third base with no outs, and the Phils were threatening.
Wonders starter Mike Krezmien, struck out the next batter, then induced two ground balls to the left side of the infield for 5-3 and 6-3 put outs to end the inning and set the tone of the game.
In the bottom of the first, Wonders first baseman, Andy Ayres hit a double play grounder to second, but the second baseman could not make the play, leading to a two run rally, which is all the Wonders needed, as they cruised to an easy 9-1 victory. Wonders hitting stars were Scott Taylor, Luke Cavagnac and Tom Sebastyn, who all went 3-4.
Game photos courtesy of Andy Ayres
Fainting Goats 11
Isotopes 4
WP: Tom Conway
LP: Shawn Wrisley
The GOATs* and Isotopes faced off for the second time this season at School Street Park. Tom Conway took the mound for the GOATs* and Shawn Wrisley got the start for the Topes.
The GOATs* came out swinging in the first, scoring two runs on four hits to take the early lead. The Isotopes answered in their half of the first when leadoff hitter, David Leslie singled and later scored on a double by Dave Warner. Mike Arbour followed with a single, scoring Warner and it was all tied up.
The GOATs* would answer with single runs in the second and third to take a 4-2 lead, but blew the game open in the fifth and sixth, scoring 7 runs, effectively putting this one out of reach.
The Topes took advantage of a pair of GOATs* errors to open their half of the sixth, scoring two runs to make it 11-4, but reliever, Todd Neumann shut them down in the seventh to end the threat.
Tom Conway walked 4 times and Paul Iellano had 2 hits for the GOATs*. David Leslie and Dave Warner each collected two hits for the Isotopes.
*In keeping with custom, the Fainting Goats are referred to as the GOATs after wins.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
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