2025 Summer League Results- Playoffs RD 1

8/5/25- Isotopes 13 - Wonders 8

INNING  1  2   3   4  5  6   7  8   9   R  H  E

Wonders 1  0  2   4   1   2   0   0  0  8  13  1

Topes      3  0  0  2  3   3   2  0  X  13 14  1

Aided by many walks and thirteen hits the Isotopes score 13 runs to oust The Wonders in the first round of The 2025 playoffs at a hot, humid and Canadian wildfire smoke filled Whalley Park in Southwick. Wonders possible comeback in the top of the 7th is quelled by the game's best web gem. Isotopes' Dave Warner moving from 6 innings on the mound to shortstop, fields a line drive one hopper cleanly, then, guns a pea to first base to throw out Wonders speedy lead off hitter Tom Sebastyn. Wonders catcher Steve (Higgy) Higgins blasts the games best hit, a double, deep to left field to drive in two runs in the top of the 4th inning. Tragedy strikes Wonders 2025 first draft pick relief pitcher Patrick Olearcek in the bottom of the sixth inning. On a 2-1 count pitch to Topes relief pitcher Jessie Higgenbottom breaks his pitching arm. Fortunately, his wife and daughter are in attendance to accompany him to the hospital via ambulance. Topes relief pitcher shuts down The Wonders 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth and ninth to set them down quietly.

Rick Stacy 4 1/3 innings

Patrick Olearcek 1 1/3 innings

Steve Ostrowski 2 1/3 innings

Dave Warner 6 innings

Jessie Higginbottom 3 innings

8/7/25- Plug Uglies 8 - Goats 4

Round one playoff action at the meticulously landscaped Spec Pond Field in Wilbraham between #3 seed Plug Uglies and #6 seed Fainting Goats. The Goats sent crafty Tom “TC“ Conway to the mound against the Uglies reliable righty Greg “G-Bomb” Elbaum. It was a beautiful night and a fast paced game, with the lights of Spec Pond barely needed.

The Goats bats were hot right out of the gate as they tried to defuse the G-Bomb. Joshua Weiss reached out a walk, Conway was hit by pitch, then Mike Martindell singled to short left field but centerfielder Jeff Whitehead was able to throw out the forced runner at third. Goats skipper Paul Iellamo singled to load the bases with 1 out. Tony “Bama” Dismukes hit a shot to right centerfield that scored two runs, followed by a Jerold Duquette sacrifice fly to left field that scored Iellamo. 3-0 in favor of the Goats.

In the second inning Pres Pericini singled and later scored on a passed ball from third base, increasing the Goats lead to 4-0.

After being stymied by Conway’s quick pitch release and great location, the Plugs finally broke through in the third inning. Chris “Chaka” Scanlon walked, Steve Wall singled, then Justin Gaudette moved them both into scoring position with a sacrifice. Jack Wiliden singled and drove in Scanlon on a very close play at the plate. Nolan Anaya drove in Wall, then Matt Boulanger and Jeff Whitehead reached to load the bases. Up came Rob “Ecc” Eccleston, who smashed a 2 run single. Elbaum induced an E-5 that helped bring two more in to score, and when the dust cleared the Uglies plated 6 runs to grab the lead, 6-4

Conway retired the side in the 4th, 5th and 6th, but the Uglies padded their lead in the 7th with a couple of insurance runs. Whitehead doubled and advanced to third on a single by Elbaum, who on the next play attempted a steal of second. Duqutte threw down to second from behind the plate, and off raced Whitehead to score (G-Bomb was safe on a low and crafty slide). Morris “Mo” Partee singled and drove in Elbaum, and the Uglies were up 8-4.

Despite the score it was a valiant effort by Conway, who was the Goats only pitcher of record for all nine innings. He was helped by some great defense from left fielder Weiss and Pericini at second base. The Goats had nine players for tonight’s match, but needed no replacements to spell them: they played tough all nine innings.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Goats made it clear they were in it to win it and fought to get the game back. Whitehead, who came on in relief in the 6th, got in trouble and loaded the bases with one out. With Pericini on third, Weiss on second, and Conway on first, Mike Martindell came to the plate representing the tying run. Whitehead reached back and struck him out swinging. Paul Iellamo was up next, hoping to play the hero and save the Goats’ season, but in a tough at bat was struck out looking and suddenly the ball game was over.

For the Fainting Goats it was a tough ending to their season. For the Plug Uglies it was on to round two playoff action next Thursday night against the Phillies at Mackenzie Stadium.

WP: Greg Elbaum

LP: Tom Conway

SV: Jeff Whitehead