Dave Rist beats the throw Wednesday night at Herlihy Field
Phillies 2
Dorian Grays 8
WP: Rick Fleurent
LP: Colin Hosley
The Phillies and Grays met up for the first of two makeup games against each other Wednesday night at Herlihy Field in Whately in a game with major implications for both teams. The Grays, winners of their last 10, were pursuing a perfect season; the Phillies, fighting for the coveted 2nd seed and first round bye in the upcoming playoffs. The Phillies sent Colin "Hoss" Hosley to the mound; the Grays countered with Rick "Ricky Bobby" Fleurent.
The Grays struck first, scoring a single run in the first off a double by Tim Sigda and a RBI single by John "Ski" Malikowski. The Grays tacked on three more in the third with two singles, a walk, and a hit batter to go up 4-0.
The Phillies broke through in the top of the 4th with leadoff singles by Yami Baker and Paul "Griz" Griswold. Colin Hosley was hit by a pitch to load the bases and the Phils were in business. A fielder's choice by Andy Klepacki scored Baker. With one out, Jon "JR" Ross flew out to center and Griswold was gunned down at the plate in a bang-bang play; end of inning - Phils 1, Grays 4.
The Grays took care of business in the bottom of the 4th, sending 7 batters to the plate and scoring 2, extending their lead to 6-1. The Phillies battled in the 6th, plating another run, but the Grays relentless offense and stingy defense proved to be too much. Final score, Phils 2, Grays 8.
Fleurent pitched seven strong innings, striking out 6. Tim Sigda (2B), John Malikowski (2 RBI), Rick Fleurent, and Dave Rist each collected multiple hits for for the Grays.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
Phillies 1
Dorian Grays 10
WP: Chris Bernacki
LP: Ken Sloat
The Phillies and Grays faced off for the second time in as many days to close out the regular season. Ken Sloat pitched for the Phils; Chris Bernacki for the Grays.
The Grays jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first, but opened it up in the second inning, sending 10 men to the plate and scoring 5. They tacked on 2 more in the 4th to make it 8-0 and that was all she wrote...
The Phils scored a lone run in the top of the sixth, but this one was out of reach. Final score, Phillies 1, Grays 10. Tim Sigda banged out 3 hits to lead the Grays' offense.
With the victory, the Grays secure the first undefeated regular-season in league history and claim to the number one seed heading into the playoffs. With the loss, the Phillies fall to the third spot and will open their playoff run against the 6th place Wonders next week at Whalley Park.
Isotopes 4
Wonders 2
P: Steve Youngberg
LP: Chris Ciepiela
Isotopes starting pitcher Steve Youngberg was a one-man wrecking crew, blasting two mammoth doubles to drive in 3 runs, while out-dueling Wonders' pitcher Chris Ciepiela at a breezy Mitchell Field in Holyoke.
Ciepiela pitched well enough to win supported by a great defense, although The Wonders usually potent offense struggled.
A rare 1-5-6 double play foiled a Wonders second inning rally. Wonders' catcher Steve Higgins hit a spinning shallow pop up in front of the mound with runners on first and second. Youngberg inadvertently got his pitching hand in the way and dropped the ball. He quickly retrieved it and fired to third base for the force out, then, Steve Ostrowski fired to second to complete the rare DP.
Topes' Kevin McElhinney, laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt tin the third inning to advance a runner, which set up the Topes' two-run rally, helped by two doubles blasted by Ed Cauley and Steve Youngberg.
With the victory, the Isotopes overtake the Wonders for the 5th seed and will face the Goats next week at Whalley Park. The Wonders, falling to sixth, will face the Phillies. Game times will be announced shortly.
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