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Fall League, Week 5: Hitchcocks & Millers Victorious

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Rob Hyde waits for the pitch from Steve Ostrowski


Angry Beavers 6

Holyoke Millers 7

The Angry Beavers (3-1) came to Mitchell Field hoping to clinch a playoff berth, while the Holyoke Millers (1-3) hoped to stay in contention for the same with a win. This was a tight and competitive game, with drama all the way up to the last batter.


There was great starting pitching on both sides. Krafty Ken Sloat pitched six innings, giving up 2 earned runs and striking out 2. Steve Ostrowski, going the distance for the Millers, gave up 2 earned runs.


Both teams scored a single run in the third and sixth innings, leaving things tied 2-2 going into the 7th.


In the bottom frame the Millers got the first two batters on base against reliever Pres Pieraccini, then Jeff Cabana singled to drive in a run to retake the lead. The Beavers rolled the dice and walked Jose Nieves, loading the bases to create an out at any base. Millers skipper Chaka Scanlon made them regret the move by smashing a single to left that scored two runs. Mitch Gaslin hit a sacrifice fly to score Nieves and the Millers led 6-2.


Not to be outdone, the Angry Beavers came right back in the top of the 8th. Pieraccini started the rally with a single to right field, followed by Ron Totten reaching on an E-6, then Rob Hyde walking to load the bases. The Beavers forged ahead, plating 3 runs by capitalizing on Millers fielding mistakes and making heads up plays on the bases, putting them back in the game, 6-5.


In the bottom of the 8th Ostrowski singled off reliever, Stu Clark and was later driven in by Cabana, which later proved to be a pivotal run. 7-5 Millers going into the 9th.


In the top of the 9th Marin Goldstein reached on an error and Pat Olearcek walked, but the Millers turned a 6-4-3 double play. 2 out, but then Goldstein scored on an error, making it 7-6. With two men on Ostrowski got Totten to fly out to first, and the Millers secured their second win of Fall Ball.


Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark



Holyoke Millers 7

Bobcats 8

It was the Malachite Gem Show at Anniversary Field, as the Hitchcocks rode a spectacular day at the plate by Stephen Malachite (4-4, 2 doubles, 4 RBIs), as well as 5 nifty defensive plays at 2B, to a 15-4 win over the Bearcats and the top seed in the Final.


Through 3 innings, starters Jeff Whitehead and Lundy Bancroft were efficient, with the only run scoring when Malachite doubled in Scott Dunaisky who had been plunked. However, the Hitchcocks took a considerable 5-0 lead by plating 4 in the 4th on birthday boy Miguel Ringler’s 2-run triple to right-center and Malachite’s 2-run double – an absolute bomb to deep left field off of Rick Fleurent, who had just relieved Bancroft.


The Hitchcocks tacked on another pair in the 5th when Micah Winston walked, Bill Evans doubled, and then both scored on a throwing error. The Hitchcocks added 4 more in the 6th when Dunaisky smoked a towering 3-run triple to deep left field and then scored on Malachite’s single. The Hitchcocks took a 13-0 lead in the 7th on an RBI fielder’s choice by Jeff Whitehead and then another run scored on an errant throw on the play.


Meanwhile, Hitchcocks pitchers were on fire. TJ Hillard pitched 3 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 hit and fanning 2, and Morriss Partee tossed a scoreless 7th.


The Bobcats got on the scoreboard in the 8th off of John Malikowski, plating their first on a bases-loaded walk by Jerold Duquette, which was followed by monstrous 3-run double to deep left-center by Chad Walker. The Hitchcocks rounded out the scoring in their half of the frame with a pair of runs when Dave Dean stroked an RBI single and later came around to score on a throwing error.Bill Evans mopped up with a scoreless 9th for the Hitchcocks.


Aside from Malachite, top Hitchcock batters were Ringler (2-4, 3R, 2RBI), Dunaisky, 1-2, triple, 3R, 3 RBI, 2 HBP), and Malikowski (3-4, R). For the Bobcats, Walker had 3 RBIs, and Matt Witek was 2-4 with a run scored.


Game photos courtesy of Jeff Whitehead


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