Compiled by David H. Ellis
Liberty v. Greenwich Village, Softball
Downtown Little League’s Liberty softball team delivered three consecutive five-run innings to take the contest against Greenwich Village team last Saturday in a 15-2 final.
Greenwich Village jumped out to an early lead, going up 2-0 after the first three frames of the contest. Scarlett McCalman’s home run and the hitting of Sarah Shore helped initiate the offensive attack for the Liberty, as the team collected five runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. McCalman and Bria Schirripa both assisted the Liberty defense with stellar pitching from the mound, while Jaclyn Livoti ruined Greenwich Village’s chances of rallying with her solid fielding at first base.
Pirates v. Blue Jays, Minors
Outstanding offense and defense were the keys to the Pirates 13-7 victory over the Blue Jays in a Downtown Little League game last Saturday. The Pirates relied on timely hitting from all players with David Benjamin, Matt Tuzzino, and Mike Ajami turning in solid performances. Liam Gallagher, Josh Blaney and Devin Kolb pitched well in the win.
Mariners vs. Pirates, Minors
After five lead changes, the Mariners managed to capture the win in last Wednesday night’s barnburner against the Pirates in a 16-15 final. With the Mariners maintaining a 12-8 lead at the top of the fifth inning, the Pirates’ bats came alive, scoring seven runs in the top of the sixth to go up 15-12. With the bases loaded, Oren Shore hit a fly ball to the outfield for a triple, tying the game at 15-all. In a dramatic finish, however, Tommy Nellen delivered a line drive between 1st and 2nd base to score the winning run.
Blue Jays v. Brewers, Minors
The minor league Blue Jays improved their record to 5-2 this season following Saturday’s 15-4 victory over the Brewers. Rahul Khana led his team both offensively and defensively, as he went 3-4 with a triple and three R.B.I., while pitching two scoreless innings. Khana’s teammate Nicholas Chin also assisted at the plate with one timely hit and three R.B.I. of his own. The Blue Jays’ Lucas Ortega stifled two scoring attempts by the Brewers, tagging two runners out at home plate on two consecutive plays. With the Brewers loading the bases in the last inning, the Blue Jays avoided going to extra innings by turning a double play.
Astros vs. Cubs, Majors
Despite losing several players to injuries and illness, the bats of the major league Astros were hot in Sunday’s 13-8 victory over the Cubs.
Having lost players Tim Rossi, JJ Franco and Nikhil Tekchandani, the remaining nine Astros players still scored 13 runs in four innings. Lucas Frajndlich lead the offensive effort with two hits while Jake Shapiro homered in the second inning and picked up two hits later in the game. The Astros’ Wyatt Leach, Luke Shapiro, Mike Galindo and Cal Cook all picked up crucial hits during the contest. The Cubs were able to control the offense of the Astros during the first two innings, which included Cub centerfielder Jack Scordato robbing Jake Shapiro of a home run. Luke Shapiro, who started on the mound for the Astros, struggled his first two innings of work, but came back in the 3rd and 4th inning and ended the contest with seven strikeouts, yielding only one hit to the Cubs’ Ariana Elefterakis.
Astros vs. Giants, Majors
The Astros owed Friday night’s 5-1 victory over the Giants to JJ Franco’s pitching as he delivered a no-hitter and a complete game, striking out 17 Giants players. The Giants scored their only run after they put a man on base following a catcher’s interference call, with the runner scoring on a passed ball. Giants’ pitcher Sam Gilberg gave up his only loss so far this season, lasting for six frames, giving up only four hits. Astro shortstop Luke Shapiro made a stellar defensive play during the contest, nabbing a sharply hit ball and throwing to first baseman Sam Fishman to get the out. After leaving two runners stranded in the first two innings, the Astros’ offense broke open the game as Franco and Wyatt Leach led a 4-run blitz in the third. The Giants regrouped for the final three innings, as left fielder Jake Goodman helped limit the Astros to only one more run following Jake Shapiro’s lead off hit. The Astros’ Sam Fishman, who hit the ball well during the entire game was left stranded in the top of the sixth, before Franco closed out the contest, preserving his no hitter.
Rockies v. Giants, Majors
A five-run second inning lifted the major league Giants to an 11-2 victory over the Rockies on Sunday. Rebounding from their loss on Friday, the Giants got behind early in the contest as the Rockies scored two runs in the first frame. Outstanding plays by the Giants’ catcher Corey Greenblatt and third baseman Josh Colon throwing out a runner attempting to steal third base, and by Brandon Diaz, ended the Rockies’ offensive attack. Francie Seidl-Chodosh led the offensive charge for the Giants during their second inning charge with an R.B.I. double, while teammate and starting pitcher Owen Kimmel picked up the win, going three innings and allowing only three hits.
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