Wonders 8
Plug Uglies 3
WP: Rick Stacy
LP: Jeff Whitehead
The Wonders faced off against the Plug Uglies on a gorgeous night at Mitchell Field in Holyoke, dubbed by Greg Elbaum as "The Swirl" for it's unique location in the middle of a traffic circle.
A classic pitchers duel through the first four innings, Plug's starter Jeff Whitehead pitched well, but was plagued by some smart Wonders hitting and some Ugly fielding flubs. He went 6 innings giving up 8 runs, 5 earned, striking out 6.
Wonders pitcher Rick Stacy pitched out of several jams, giving up only two hits through five complete shut out innings, while striking out six Plug Uglies.
Pl'ugly bats finally came alive in the bottom of 7th with a leadoff single by Jack Wileden, followed by consecutive hits from Bill Evans, Greg Elbaum, Jeff Whitehead, and Jeff Cabana. Suddenly it was 8-3 with the bases loaded and no outs, but Wonders reliever Chris Ciepela induced a fly out and two infield pop ups to end the rally; the Wonders walked away with their 2nd win of the season.
Wonders rookie, 71-year-old Jim Pietras, hit a long single over the left fielder for his first two league RBI, which proved to be the game winners in the top of the fifth inning.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
Grays 16
Goats 2
WP: Chris Bernacki
LP: Jim McLaren
The Fainting Goats hosted the Dorian Grays Thursday night at Mitchell Field in a lopsided affair.
Grays starter Chris Bernacki was masterful, scattering three hits over 5 innings and striking out 6.
Goats pitcher, Jim McLaren pitched well in his first start of the season, but was victimized by several costly errors. The Grays led 5-0 after one and never looked back.
Newcomer, Tim Sigda, led the Grays offense, going 2-2 with a double and a walk.
The Goats showed life in the bottom of the sixth, plating two on two hits and an error, but reliever, Jay Sadowski got a ground ball for the final out with two runners on to end the threat as the Grays notch their first win of the year.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
Isotopes 5
Phillies 3
WP: Gary Webber
LP: Ken Sloat
The Isotopes and Phillies squared off Thursday night at School Street Park in Agawam. A well-pitched game by both teams with solid defense and timely hitting from both squads, the outcome was undecided heading in to the final inning.
Gary Webber scattered 5 hits over 7 innings for the complete game victory and contributed a double and single to help his cause.
Phillies starter, Ken Sloat matched Webber, tossing three scoreless innings to start the game until 'Topes shortstop, Steve Youngberg smashed a monster 2-run home run to open scoring in the top of the 4th.
The Phillies answered in the bottom of the frame, plating three on hits by Paul Kaplan, J.R. Ross, and Mo Partee to take the lead, 3-2.
Jonathan Zajac smashed an RBI double in the 6th, scoring David Leslie to tie the game at 3. Scott Keldon put the Isotopes ahead for good in the 7th with a triple, scoring Michael Arbour and Dave Warner, leading the Isotopes to victory and their second win of the young season.