Diego Ortiz watches as Dave Warner awaits the pitch
Wonders 4
Isotopes 13
WP: Dave Warner
LP: Steve Ostrowski
On Monday night, Dave Warner and the Isotopes faced off against Steve Ostrowski and the Wonders at Mitchell Field. The Isotopes jumped out to an early lead, putting up two runs in the first inning. The Wonders responded with solo runs in each of the following three innings, but after four, the Isotopes maintained a 5-3 lead.
The game broke open in the fifth inning when the Isotopes batted around, scoring six times. This rally included two walks, two hit batters, and several key hits, allowing the Isotopes to cruise to a commanding 13-4 victory.
Mike Olkin and Chris Scanlon of The Plug Uglies, along with Pres Pieraccini of The Fainting Goats, admirably filled in for the shorthanded Wonders. Stu Clark, who had two hits in the fifth inning, contributed to the Isotopes' lineup, ensuring their ninth player for more bonus baseball play.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
Isotopes
Phillies
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LP:
The Isotopes and Phillies were rained out Wednesday night at Mitchell Field. The teams hope to play next week; a game with potential playoff ramifications for both squads.
Dorian Grays 9
Fainting Goats 0
WP: Tim Sigda
LP: Tom Salvini
The Grays took control early in their matchup against the Goats, jumping out to a three-run lead in the first inning and maintaining their dominance throughout the game. Tim Sigda was the star of the night, both on the mound and at the plate. He pitched masterfully, limiting the Goats to just three hits, and contributed three hits himself, including a crucial double that sparked the Grays' offense.
The Grays' bats were hot from the start, with timely hitting and aggressive base running that put constant pressure on the Goats' defense. By the third inning, the Grays had extended their lead to 6-0, with contributions from throughout the lineup. The Goats struggled to mount any offensive threat against Sigda, who was in complete control.
In the fourth inning, the Grays added three more runs, effectively putting the game out of reach. By the fifth, with the score at 9-0 and no signs of a turnaround, Goats' manager Pres Pieraccini decided to call it a day. The Goats threw in the towel, conceding the game after five innings.
Wonders 4
Plug Uglies 4
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LP:
For the home team Plug Uglies, it was their last regular season game. For the Wonders, it was their second makeup game of the week with more on tap next week. The teams gathered at Crosier Field in Holyoke, which had been selected as an emergency replacement for the original venue. Despite being a last-minute choice, the field was in rough shape, with uneven patches and worn-out areas that posed a challenge for the players. Nevertheless, both teams were ready to compete and make the best of the situation. Field conditions and brutal humidity be damned, it would not deter an inspired and well played playoff type game.
Rick Stacy started for the Wonders and pitched 5 strong innings. The Uglies sent opener Morriss “Mo” Partee to the mound, followed by reliever Bill Evans in the 2nd.
The Wonders got on the board first. In the 2nd inning Luke Cavagnac reached on a fielders choice, followed by a Rick Stacy single. Cavagnac scored on a Chris Ciepiela single, followed by Stacy scoring. The Plugs came up empty in the bottom frame and it was 2-0 Wonders.
In the bottom of the 3rd Evans singled, stole second, reached third on a passed ball, and scored on a Mike Olkin sacrifice to get the Uglies into the game. 2-1 Wonders after three.
In the top of the 4th inning the Wonders struck back with two more runs. Ciepiela reached on an error and later scored, as was the case with super-sub Ron Totten. In the bottom frame Wonders starter Rick Stacy masterfully pitched his way out of a bases loaded threat with no outs. After three straight Ugly hits, Steve Wall hit a grounder to shortstop Tod Garfield, who fired home for the 6-2 force out. Then it was Deja Vu all over again: bases still juiced, Evans hit another grounder to Garfield, but this time he fired too low and to the right of catcher Steve Higgins. But the Wonder’s backstop made an excellent fully extended and balanced backhanded snag to secure the force at the plate, the defensive Web Gem of the game. The Wonders ended the potential game breaking rally with a 1-3 come backer. After 4 innings it was Wonders up 4-1.
In the top of the fifth Jeff Whitehead came in to pitch and kept the Wonders off the board the rest of the way. In the bottom half the Uglies loaded the bases again but could only bring one runner home when Whitehead walked.
In the bottom of the sixth the Wonders relieved Stacy with Chris Ciepiela, but the Plugs kept chipping away when Evans scored an Olkin single. Wonders 4, Plugs 3 after six.
The Wonders were unable to pad their tenuous one run lead in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for a wacky ending. In the bottom frame Ciepiela quickly secured the first two outs, including a Jeff Cabana bomb to left field that Ron Totten played perfectly. With two down the rally began: a Whitehead single, then a Partee single that got Whitehead to third base. Up came Steve Wall and Partee broke to steal second, hoping to prompt a throw from behind the plate so Whitehead could score. The Wonders took the bait and threw down to second: Partee got stuck between 2nd and 3rd, but Whitehead scored the tying run in the confusion (Partee ended up safe at 2nd).
But the Wonders stopped the Plug Uglies there and it was a tie after seven innings, when darkness won over a continued extra inning outcome.
Rick Stacy pitched five solid innings, striking out five and allowing only two earned runs. Kevin O’Grady and Mike Olkin both went 2-for-4, with Olkin adding a run and two RBIs. Mo Partee contributed by going 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.
The Wonders thank Phillies Ron Totten for his gift of time and superlative play in left field and at the plate.
Game photos courtesy of Jeff Whitehead
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