2025 Summer League Results- Week 3

5/14/25- Phillies 6 - Wonders 2-

On Wednesday evening the Phillies faced off against the Wonders in a low-scoring affair that featured some excellent pitching, timely hitting and one very questionable stolen base attempt by a slue-footed catcher who definitely missed the “do not attempt to steal, Ron” sign.

Starting Pitcher Kenny Sloat frustrated the Wonders with a barrage of sweeping curve balls, well-placed fastballs, and an occasional Eephus pitch, giving up a paltry 3 hits, striking out 4 over across 5 shut out innings.

In the top of the first the home team Phils opened up against Wonders starter Chris C with a walk then stolen base by Paul “Gris” Griswold, followed by a one out RBI single by Ken “Not a Diva” Sloat to plate the game’s first run. Big hits by Colin Hosley and Jim “Kruk” Fogarty followed, and by the time the inning was over, nine Phils had come to the plate and three managed to cross it. 

The Wonders threatened in the 2nd with a single by Andy Ayers, then an infield error on a hot shot by Rich putting runners on the corners with one out, but it just wasn’t meant to be, as Sloat bore down, striking out the next hitter and inducing an inning-ending pop up to the first baseman.

In the bottom half of second, the Phils opened with a crisply hit single up the middle by Ronny Totten, who subsequently was caught stealing (by a lot) on a passed ball.  But that wasn’t enough to stop the Phils as Jack Eisenstadt worked a one-out walk, followed by Miguel Ringler, who jumped on a first-pitch fastball way up in the zone, smashing the ball to deep center field. The two runners were driven home on a sharp single by Paul Griswold, bringing the score to 5-0. 

The game settled into a pitching duel as Chris was replaced by fireballer Pat Olearcek in the fourth and Sloat was relieved by Hosley to get the final six outs. 

Notable plays on the Wonders side: A stellar diving stab by Kevin at first. Tom crushed a double to deep left field; Larry, the captain of the Wonders, smoked the ball down the left field line and used his glacial “speed” to turn a sure double into a single, and above all let’s not forget that time when catcher Steve H. slowly jogged to the backstop, picked up an errant pitch, threw to second, and easily caught the laboring Ron Totten on his way to 2nd base.

For the Phils: All around solid defense. Quality pitching, and an unusual 6 fly ball putouts by Ringler, subbing in at center for the absent Winston (who, apparently “had better things to do”).

Wonder's Manager Larry, "Phillies ( in racetrack terms) were never headed as they cruised for an easy 6-0 victory at cloudy Mitchell Field in Holyoke."

5/15/25- Isotopes 9 - Goats 5-

5/15/25- Grays 2 - Plugs 1

WP: Chris Bernacki. LP: Jeff Whitehead. SV: Tim Sigda 

The Plug Uglies hosted the Grays at Mitchell Field, with Chris “Nacho” Bernacki toeing the rubber against Greg “G-Bomb” Elbaum. These starting pitchers were the stars of the game: G-Bomb pitched a gem, pitching 5 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits, and striking out 1. On the other side Bernacki would take it even further, pitching seven innings with no earned runs, striking out 3, while yielding 5 hits.

After five innings of scoreless baseball, the Grays took control of the game in the sixth. Facing reliever Bill Evans, David Rist reached on a fielders choice and moved to second when Tim Sigda walked. Jay “Supe” Sadowski lined an RBI single that scored Rist, and the Grays were suddenly in the driver’s seat 1-0.

Bottom seven and the game on the line, Eric “Noodles” Bennett whacked a single to get the things started for the Plugs. Steve Wall reached on an E4, advancing Bennett to second, a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, but Chris “Chaka” Scanlon hit into a fielders choice and Bennett was thrown out the plate. Jack Willden hit into another fielders choice, but this time, when the infielder threw home to nail Wall, the throw was off line and the Uglies scored. The game was tied 1-1 and headed for extra innings.

In the top of the eighth Jeff Whitehead, pitching in his second inning of relief, walked Rist, putting the Grays leadoff hitter at the center of the action once again. Then Sigda hit an epic moonshot that bounced off the centerfield fence and almost went out of the park. When all was said and done Sigda was standing on second and Rist had scored, the Grays taking the lead 2-1.

It looked like the Uglies might have the upper hand with the top of their order up, but flamethrower Sigda came in to close the game out for the Grays. Rob “Ecc” Eccleston reached on a single, but was called out on a fielders choice hit by Jeff Cabana. Boulanger hit a fly ball to left that was caught by Brian Krylowicz, and suddenly there were two away. Tension mounted when Jeff Whitehead hit a single, advancing Cabana to second. Morriss “Mo” Partee came to the plate, then both base runners advanced on a wild pitch, placing the tying run at third and the winning run on second. But the Uglies finally ran out of miracles as Sigda got Big Mo to fly out to Krylowicz and the ball game was over. Grays 2, Plug Uglies 1 in extras.