T-BALL
Diamondbacks & Marlins
It was a crisp spring morning, both teams determined to give their best. The Marlins, behind sluggers Greg Elefterakis and Gianna LaGreca put the first runs on the board. Good defense by Sammy Duffy, Liam Lawlor and James Stinnett held the D-backs in the first inning. Determined, the D-backs had 2 putouts in the field. First a sparkling play by first baseman Liam O’Connor followed by a putout at second by Michael DePeri assisted by Ben Steinberg. We saw some great fielding by William Sisson, Alexander Hall and TJ Westfall. Great hitting led by Luca Romeo, Teddy Eustice and Yannick “Sonic” DeGuchteneere.
Yankees & Mets
Well, the grown-up Yankees aren’t too happy these days, but the Downtown Little League team by the same name appeared happy enough matching off against the equally spirited Mets. Players for both T-ball teams, in fact, seemed to enjoy practicing the rudiments of the game, learning skills that will serve them for years to come.
They also surprised on-lookers with impressive plays. The Mets 1st inning pitcher, Lucas Pryor, was a credit to the team with several good throws to first base, a performance he capped off by tagging a runner out at home plate. Up at bat, Yankee Dylan Paige whacked the ball hard for a solid base hit, something he would repeat twice more before game’s end. When the Mets got up, Delia Costello slugged one hard, and started bringing runners home.
In the second inning, Mets pitcher Hannah Sklover made some very good throws, with Catherine Kerner at first base fielding them with impressive skill. As for the Yankees, Lorren Winder hit a homerun while pitcher Rusty Gerber tagged a runner out at home.
Athletics & Mariners
It was another exciting week for the Athletics and the Mariners. The coaches were beaming with pride as their players gave a consistent performance on the field both on the defense and offense.
The Athletics opened the game with Chuck Hunter getting a great hit and making an exciting run to first base. He continued his success from last week. He was followed by another teammate, Charlie Koder, who showed great power at the bat and the balls flew out of sight.
The Mariners made outstanding defensive plays led by Justin Tyler Lee on first base. His great reflexes and quick hands led his team to two outs in the first inning. On the batting side, Lola Palladino and Robby Feffer were consistent hitters in this game and showed great strength at the bat. Lola made an exciting run from base to base and Robbie made the ball fly like lightning.
Luke McArdle from the Athletics is making great defensive plays for a second week in a row.
JUNIOR MINORS
Indians vs. Red Sox
The Indians led the Red Sox 11-7 at the end of 3 innings played under the lights Sunday. The Indians’ highlights include hits and base running by Bayley Arens, two good hits by Charlotte Youkilis, and an unassisted putout at second base by Taro Nakagawa, who also had 2 R.B.I. The Red Sox held their own with an R.B.I. double by Dante Stoeri-D’Arrigo, a putout at home by catcher Brody Sharoff with an assist by Sebastian Coneybeare, and Michael Banks had a putout as first baseman.
Rockies vs. Giants
The Rockies defeated the Giants 13-3 with power hitting and great defensive team play. Sluggers Conner Cimmino, Jack Weil, Wyatt Gray and Jack Anderson, all went 3 for 3, including a home run for Anderson.
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks
The day was hot but the Dodgers and Diamondbacks were hotter. Both teams were strong defensively with some serious major league fielding by the Diamondbacks. Leading the way were Richie King and Ian Malcolm. Though the Diamondbacks were strong at bat, the Dodgers were not to be stopped. The Dodgers’ “Murderer’s Row” connected with some powerful hits that even the strong defensive Diamondbacks could not combat. Leading the way were Chris Baumann, Xavier Russo, Raphael Santore, Luke Deysine and Jake Rosenberg.
Phillies vs. Marlins
The Phillies held on to beat the Marlins 5-4 in an exciting finish. The Phillies jumped out to a 5-1 lead as John Barbieri and Anthony Randazzo each knocked in 2 runs with key hits in a 4-run second inning. Rachel Licata also had 2 hits for the Phillies. Michael Di Maria, Anthony Marino and Chynna Basso all made key defensive plays for the Phillies. The Marlins were led by Scott Bamford and Taidgh Barron, who both played excellent defense. The Marlins cut the lead to 5-4 in the last inning on a 3-run double by Theo Fandrich but Nicolette Catona made a game saving play for the last out to preserve the victory for the Phillies.
MINORS
A’s Win Slugfest with Cards
In a seesaw battle that promises to be remembered as a 2005 Little League Classic, the A’s edged the Cardinals on Saturday 14-13, scoring four runs in the last inning. The Cardinals got off to an early lead, as hurler Jack Finio tossed darts. Liam Kavanagh and Ian Petrarca pounded doubles for the Red Birds, and first sacker Nick Bader led the defense with a nifty scoop of a throw in the dirt. But the A’s wouldn’t surrender, with Joe Demarco and Mason Grassfield pounding two hits apiece and Lee Perry throwing a scoreless third inning. Tyler Paige and Elija Turner also got key hits that led the A’s to their first win.
Mariners vs. White Sox
What a game Saturday! Pitching for the Mariners was Joshua Blaney in his second win of the season, 10-9. He pitched 3 tough innings. Sam Ryman pitched for the first time ever, retiring the White Sox 1,2,3 in the last inning for the save. Joe Luisi made two great catches in left field making two outs. Austin Bell, (playing his last game before his move to New Mexico) had a timely hit to keep the Mariners rally going. Leighton Brillo-Sonnino was brilliant catching for the entire game. The White Sox starting pitcher, Cameron Spector, pitched a strong game as well with some nice hits from the White Sox. Austin Bell, playing his last game before moving with his family to New Mexico, had a timely hit to keep a Mariners rally alive.
Rangers vs. Birds
In a tight and well-played game by both teams, the Rangers defeated the Orioles 8-7. The Rangers started things off in the first inning when Brian Boyd hit a triple, driving in the game’s first run. The Orioles hung tough, displaying fine fielding. Tyler Golderberg turned a key double play spearing a fly ball and then doubling the base runner off of first.
ANGELS vs. BRAVES
A brilliant effort by the Minor Braves nearly toppled the slugging Angels. The final score was 12-7. The Angels surely brought their bats. Led by a deep double to left field by Chris Riddick and a first career home run for pitcher Adam Kester, the Angels applied the pressure. But the Braves equal to the challenge. Grant Laifer made two nimble across-the-diamond plays at third, shortstop Daniel Sexton made a pair of brilliant plays. Robbie Martino, Gabe Smith and the rest of the Braves pitching staff were steady throughout, holding their opponents to just six hits.
Powder Kegs vs. Royals
Downtown Little League’s Powder Kegs played an inter-league game against the Greenwich Village Royals on Saturday. The Powder Kegs opened with torrent of runs on hits from Madeleine Steinberg, Lindsay Holcomb and Sarah McGowan. Two more runs came from Sarah Weldon, Katerina Michaels and Great Jenkins. Aimee Chico pitched three strong innings to give the Powder Kegs an 8 – 4 lead going into the bottom of the fourth. Unfortunately the game had to be called early due to a late start.
Revolution vs. Comets
The Revolution senior softball team played their first inter-league game against the West Side Comets on Saturday. In what was a valiant team effort the girls made some terrific defensive plays and ended up scoring 9 runs. Not enough against the 16 runs from West Side, but quite an achievement since this is the first game they had played together ever. Bria Schrippa pitched 5 innings before turning it over to Sarah Boyd. Alessandra Fusillo went 3 for 3 with 2 singles and a double. Mackenzie Charter also went 3 for 3 with two triples and a single. There were several terrific plays made between third base, Sarah Shore, and shortstop, Francie Seidl Chodosh, that helped boost the team morale.
MAJORS
Cubs vs. Devil Rays
Mark LaGreca pitched a 1-hit shutout, 12 – 0. He struck out 11 and walked only 1. The only hit was a clean single to right by Justin Valenzuela. The Cubs had 15 hits and were led by Michael Galindo’s 2 hits including a 3-run home run, Mark LaGreca with 3 hits and 3 R.B.I., and Vincent Licata with 2 hits. Devin Kolb scored 3 runs and stole 3 bases to help the Cubs to victory. Vincent Licata made an outstanding play cutting down a runner at home on a wild pitch.
Astros vs. Cardinals
If the first meeting between the Astros and the Cardinals is any indication of each team’s intensity and determination, their two remaining contests this season are not to be missed.
The Astros jumped out to a 4 – 0 lead after their first two innings, but the Cardinals answered with 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the 2nd keyed by a surprise bunt by Jake Bader with a Cardinal runner on third. The Astros immediately surged ahead with a 5 run outburst in the third with the help of a timely hit by Travis Brandon.The Cardinals again tied the game with 5 runs of their own in their 4th accented by Sean Wils’ deep line drive to left center field. Astro Jake Goodman, who collected 3 hits on the day, scored after a hit to right in the 5th, which put his team ahead 10 – 9. The Astros’ offense was strongly supported throughout the day by Max Bowens and Wyatt Leach. During the Cardinals last at bat, Michael Herman hit a one out single and scored the eventual tying run on Vitale’s RBI groundout which culminated his 2-hit, 2-run day. In addition to key hits and fine running, the defense also deserves mention.
The Astros were well represented by starter Owen Kimmel and reliever Cal Cook. The Cardinals received a much needed first time performance by new starter Roy Vlcek and solid relief by Sean Wils.
Alex Wainger produced the key defensive play of the game when he snared a line drive off first in the second inning that limited the Astros to 1 run and kept the Cardinals within striking distance. The game ended in a 10 – 10 tie.
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