West Hartford Little League Wrap-Ups for Week Ending May 20

MAJORS:

Joey's Pizza Pie Pirates 4 - Brothers Associates Phillies 2

The Joey's Pizza Pie Pirates edged the Brothers Associates Phillies by a score of 4-2 on Sunday (5/20) afternoon at the West Hartford Little League Complex.

Grady Brockway earned the complete game victory for the Pirates going six innings, scattering six hits and striking out 11 Philles batters.  Brockway helped his own cause in the bottom of the first by hitting a two-run blast over the left-center field wall.  The Pirates also received offensive contributions from Noah Sobel-Pressman (2-2, 2 singles), Patrick O'Keefe (1-1, single, walk, run scored), Jack Brockway (1-2, double, run scored), Jamey Nadeau (2-2, 2 singles) and Brendan Battiston (1-2, single, run scored).  Matthew Patchen contributed to the Pirates defensive effort by gunning down a Phillies runner at third base from center field and O'Keefe also threw out a speedy Phillies runner attempting to steal second base.

The Phillies offense was led by Sam Fiske who hit a two run homer in the top of the first inning.  Colin Kuzia was 2-2 with two solid singles.  The Phillies also had hits from Micheal B. (double), Brennan George and Nick Santos.  The Phillies also had fine pitching from Andy Moise (3IP, 4H, 2K's) and Colin Kuzia (2IP, 2H, 4K's).

Companions For Living Angels 8 - Joey's Pizza Pie Pirates 7

The Angels improved their record to 5-2 with a hard fought game by both teams. The Angels were led by a good pitching performance by Marcos Massa who only gave up 2 runs. Will Crawford pitched a scoreless 6th to wrap up the win against the Pirates who never gave up and almost came back from behind to secure a win. The bottom of the 6th began by a blooper between short and Center Field; by the Pirates #1 hitter who was caught by an unbelievable shoestring catch by Joey Morrissey. Marcos Massa went 3 for 3, Benjamin Castro went 1 for 1 (2 walks), Joey Morrissey 2 for 3, and Michael Lee went 1 for 2 with 1 walk.

The Pirates were led on offense by Noah Sobel-Pressman who was 1-1, hit a big 2 RBI triple in the second inning and scored 2 rubs, Grady Brockway who hit a towering shot in the top of the 6th for a double, Jamey Nadeau who. laid down beautiful bunt that that plated a run in the second inning, Chris Keegan who hit a solid single to left and stole a base in the third inning and Brendan Battiston who walked, scored a run and had an RBI single. The Pirates also had fine pitching from Patrick O’Keefe (3 IP, 5H, 5K’s) and Noah Fox (2 IP, 1H, 6K’s) 

World Series Club Marlins 11 - Hartford Symphony Orchestra Orioles 7

What competitive baseball!  The Marlins and Orioles squared off in a mid-week, see-saw, bird versus fish battle sponsored by area non-profits.

The O's flew ahead in the first with 2 runners plated including an RBI single by Chase Meyers.  The Marlins responded in the bottom half with a lead-off triple by Jeffrey LaRosa (3-3), a solid hit by Spencer Altman (2-2) and RBI singles by Jack Brennan (2-3) and Nate Skuba (1-3).   Like the comeback of Baltimore's Smiling Bird, the O's wore a big grin as they erased the Marlins' lead in the second behind timely hitting of Matthew Schwab (1-2) and an RBI singles by Burke Martindale (1-2) and Oliver Anderson (1-3).  The Marlins, ever an elusive catch, continued the battle in the bottom of the second when Big Game Fish LaRosa knotted the game at 6 with his second round-tripper of the season to deep right.  Hungry for more in the top of third, aggressive base running by Meyers again had the Birds ahead by 1.  Keeping the pattern going in the bottom half, Marlins' Elliot Duprey (3 BB's) and Danny Dashefsky boosted their OBP's with well-earned walks matching the O's in base running to tie the game again.  With no scoring by the Birds in the top of the fourth and enjoying the competitive game, the Marlins brought out their sticks in the fourth with a lead-off hit by LaRosa and successive RBI singles by Brennan, Altman and Zach Ellovich (1-3) to give the Fish a 4 run advantage.  The lead proved enough for Marlins' pitcher, Duprey, who threw two scoreless innings to close out the game.

Other notables in the game included an impressive relief performance by Orioles pitcher, Anthony Carabello; a fifth inning up-the-middle hit by Marlin, Matteo Carrabba and an inning of relief by Marlin's pitcher, Jack Brennan (3K's). 

Congrats to the Marlins and Orioles for an awesome and very competitive game!

Feigenbaum & Nair Cardinals 7 – Bros Associates Phillies 2

With both teams sporting pink socks to celebrate Mothers Day, quality pitching and timely offense led the Cardinals to a 7-2 victory over the determined Phillies. The first 3 innings showcased a pitchers duel between Cory Wolski and Sam Fiske, with the Cardinals taking a 2-1 lead. Wolski pitched a gem, working 5 complete innings and allowing only 2 runs with 9 k's, while Fiske fanned 6 over 3 innings. The Cardinals scored 3 in 5th to seal the victory. Adam Giroux scored 3 runs off of 3 walks, while Wolski, Danny Harris, Jimmy Sabia and Robert Seecharran had hits for the Cardinals. The Phillies were led at the plate by Noah Case, Brennan George and Emory Burke with one hit apiece.  Both teams played great defense, highlighted by a fine catch in left by Seecharran to rob a Phillies slugger of extra bases and the Cardinals executing a perfect pickle play to stop a Phillies runner from scoring in the 4th inning. Nic Santos and Andy Moise also play some fine defensive plays for the Phillies.

World Series Club Marlins 4 - Keller Maintenance Braves 1

The Marlins and the Braves, sporting their Mother's Day pink socks, gave a much appreciated gift to all the moms:  a fast-paced pitchers' duel.  

Marlins starting pitcher, Spencer Altman, was en fuego for 5, striking out 12 and allowing no runs.  Lefty Brave, Matteo Ramirez-Webster (4 1/3 IP, 7 K's) responded in kind, maintaining a scoreless game through 3.  Ramirez-Webster helped himself by going 2-3 at the plate, including a double to start the game.  But the Fish broke through with 3 in the 4th with an offensive surge with speedy base running by Jeffrey LaRosa, Jack Brennan and Spencer Altman and timely hitting by Nate Skuba.  More heads-up base running by Steven Olechna in the 5th padded the lead.  Elliott Duprey (2K's) threw 20 and combined with LaRosa to close out the game. 

For the Braves, Dom Fuentes (1 2/3 IP, 1 K) was rock-solid in relief and Matt Keller and Dylan Farrell had one hit apiece.

CT Shower & Bath Dodgers 23 - New Britain Rock Cats Twins 10

The Dodgers bats came alive and had solid defense in a 23 – 10 victory over the Twins on Monday May 14.  In the first inning the Dodgers jumped out to a 7 – 0 lead with hits from Blake Deresienski, Joe Kitz, Miles McCarthy Reynolds, Brian Kenna and Colman Glagovich.  In the second inning, with Blake on 3B, Kyle Bridgman laid down a perfect bunt scoring Blake.  The game also featured Kyle Bridgman’s nice play at 3B throwing a runner out at 1B and an unassisted put out at 2B to end the game, Blake Deresienski going 3 for 4 (2 doubles), Joe Kitz and Miles McCarthy Reynolds going 2 for 4, Brian Kenna going 3 for 5 (3 singles) and David Newman doing some good defensive work.

Miles, Blake and John Scrimgeour all pitched well.  John did a great job staying focused after a bumpy start.  Brian Kenna, catching for the first time this year, combined with Joe Kitz, playing 3B, to throw out a runner trying to steal 3B.

The Twins’ David Zeng two hits and two runs, Kyle Nichols had a single, double and two runs, Dom Mongillo's had 3 hits and Patrick Cassidy continued his hot streak of a double, a home run and three runs scored.

AAA:

Angels 7 – Orioles 19

It was hot, and so were the Orioles.  The Angels did not make it easy, though, with starter Brian Puleo going 2-2/3 innings and only letting up 2 hits and 2 runs.  Gilberto Rodriguez came in strong in relief.  Brian B and Alex Almazon each went 2 for 3 and Carter O'Keefe hit an RBI double.  For the Orioles, Nick Udell had a strong start as pitcher followed by Patrick Sullivan and Nolan Asadow, the pair that shut the door.  Patrick Sullivan also had some great offensive plays.  Patrick's pitching combined with his fielding and his consistent attention to the game earned him the game ball.  Scott Steinmetz and Shaun McNamara each hit triples.  Jack Krugman led the team in both hits and runs, with 3 each.  Finally, what's a write-up without mentioning Tommy Sullivan - he clobbered a ground-rule double over the outfield fence.

Key Hyundai of Manchester Orioles 11 - 2-4-1 Sports Twins 14

The Orioles burst out of the gate by shutting out the Twins offense and scoring 6 runs by the bottom of the first in what looked to be yet another undefeated Orioles-dominant runaway game. Third Baseman Scott Steinmetz and Catcher Nick Udall caged Twins home stealer Brendan Marshall in the bottom of the second to foil a key score in a very exciting hot box competition in the bottom of the second.

The Twins camp rallied and held the Orioles to only two more runs for the next three innings. Colin Delaney led off the Twins offense by driving a monster flyball far down the third baseline for a standing double. Consistent hitting on the part of the T's kept the boys in the game, but it was the defense that shined. Second baseman Jonah Gilbert got the game ball for an eye-popping unassisted double play and catcher Colin Horan's bulldog style of play consistently foiled the base-stealing efforts of the Orioles. Pitcher Jackson Grady held the line in inning 4 with four batters, three outs and no scores. O's pitcher Nick Udall interrupted the Twins wave with three strikeouts and letting his team come within striking distance of taking the game away.

Runs came in for both the Orioles and the Twins and the one run lead flip-flopped between both sides until the end of the fifth when the Twins clawed out a three point advantage. Oriole's pitcher Beau Adams dismantled the Twins hitting machine with three strikeouts in the top of the sixth.

With the walk off winning run at bat, bases loaded and no outs. The very aggressive Orioles were not ceding to anything or anyone. A passed ball allowed one run and the next batter had the advantage of no forces on any base but first.  Two strikeouts by Twins pitcher Vince Nemergut were encouraging, but did little ease the tension and the Orioles' boys gave no indication they were done for the day. A pop up into shallow center had Jack Wisialowski and Jason Farrell heading straight for the game winning grab as well as each other, as the runners advanced. Both teams, spectators on all sides, and cats and dogs watching the game were holding their breath as the seeming slow motion pending collision was averted by inches and Jason Farrell came up with the catch.

This was a good game in all respects. The boys showed enthusiasm and sportsmanship and seemed to have as much fun as they could with a bunch of grown-ups around. Both squads were innocently gracious to each other in victory and defeat and thus made the entirety of the game a well spent Saturday morning.

California Pizza Kitchen Angels 12 - Accounting Services A's 8

Brian Puleo threw 2-1/3 strong innings [0R, 1H, 4Ks] and hit a 2-run inside-the-park homer [scored a triple and E9] to lead the Angels12-8 over the A’s at UCONN Thursday. Alex Almazon [2IP, 0ER, 5Ks] shined in relief to get the save. Puleo, Almazon, Carter O’Keefe, Mike Pechunuk and Brian Brewer all had two hits for the Angels. Brewer lost a tooth sliding [safely] into home plate. Andrew Lemanski, Cam Davidson and Nate Cutler added singles. Drew Currier paced the defense with three putouts at 3B in one inning while O’Keefe made a diving, shinguard-string catch on a pop fly near homeplate late in the game.

Chris Maglio, Max Hassan, Abriana Teodoro and Brock Pizzoferrato all had hits for the A’s.  Maglio, Pizzoferrato and Spencer Wimpe all made stellar plays in the infield.

2-4-1 Sports Twins 18 - Tax and Accounting Services LLC A's 5

In what started out to be a runaway hitting game, the strategy quickly changed to a very competent pitcher's duel.  The twins started off strong with a string of singles and doubles that earned them a 10 run lead in the first inning. The A's responded by shutting the door on the big hitters with quality pitching. Both teams picked up the pace with, at times, mind boggling fielding skills.

Shortstop Emett Coco deftly handled a redhot grounder and fired it to first baseman Brock Pizziferato for a key play in inning three that ended the twins rally with 2 left on base. A's pitcher Abrianna Teodoro denied the Twins further progress with a four batter-no score inning, including two K's. A's reliever John Zehr closed the game down with 2 strong strikeouts in 8 pitches.  Offensively, John also drove home 2 key runs.

Despite the A's mounting defense, this Mother's Day went to the Twins. With 18 runs scored, all the Twins saw some hitting that day. Misha Goldstein had yet another surprise walllop (yes, three "L's") into right field that ended with a standup double bagger. Vincent Nemergut, Colin Horan, Will Murkette, Jonah Vincent, and JP Berretini all showed off their batting chops with respectable long haul hitting.

Pitchers Vincent Nemergut and Jason Farrell each had their own four batter innings; Vincent with two K's in one inning and Jason with.... wait for it...three.

Shortstop Jack Wisialowski had his hand in all three outs in the fifth inning, including one fly ball; a pop-up that found his glove because he backed up another player properly, and a sizzling infield grounder fedex'ed from shortstop to first baseman Will Murkette for out number three.

In spite of the score, the A's never gave up and both teams showed exceptional sportsmanship.

Retirement Visions LLC Cardinals 14 - California Pizza Kitchen Angels 8

On Mother's Day, the Cardinals overcame a 4 run deficit in the 1st inning to rally past the Angels 14 to 8.  The Angels were led offensively by Carter O'Keefe [RBI double] and Brian Puleo [RBI single] while Nathaniel Cutler played a great shortstop and left field.

The Cardinals were led by Ryan Howe [2 hits, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored], Korey Dinowitz [Double and 2 RBI], and Chanjoo Kim [Single, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored]. Rounding out the offense was Harry Lewis (single) and Andrew Cohen 3 runs scored.  The Cardinals received a strong pitching effort from Zach Martin who had 3 strikeouts in 2 innings of works.  Defensively, The Cardinals were led by Spencer Martindale's diving catch in right field, Andrew Mazzatto's great play at third base and a rally ending catch by left fielder A.J. Guevara.

Orioles 12 – Cardinals 8

As twilight prevailed so did the Orioles over the Cardinals in a 12-8 victory.  For the Cardinals, Clay Courtemanche is recognized for his strong bat with a Triple and 2RBI's.  Zach Martin also swung the hammer with a solid Double as did Ryan Howe with an RBI Single. Korey Dinowitz and Andrew Cohen chipped in with singles, each contributing to the tough matchup.  For the Orioles, Josh Leshem led the team spirit by coming straight from the hospital with three new stitches in his upper lip right to the game - earning him the team ball.  Scott Steinmetz, noticing a 2-foot space between the 1st basement and the bag in the fifth inning, squeezed a triple through that space.  Ed Zimmerman lead the home crossings with 2.  Shaun McNamara and Jack Krugman are saluted for their gum-earning aggressive base running forcing errant throws and taking the extra bases. Nick Udell, Jake Zweifler, Beau Adams and Tommy Sullivan all pitched for the Orioles and held the scoring down enough to get the win, Nick the only one a little warm from his prior-day 8-pitch outing.