Mike Arbour went 3-4 for the Isotopes Thursday night at School Street Park.
Plug Uglies 0
Dorian Grays 9
WP: Chris Bernacki
LP: Greg Elbaum
It was a Herlihy Park scorcher as the two TNB+50 undefeated teams finally faced off. What was billed as a top tier matchup was anything but that, as the home team Grays cruised to victory with a 9-0 win over the Plug Uglies and claimed first place for themselves.
The Grays sent Chris “Nacho” Bernacki to the mound against Greg “G-Bomb” Elbaum. In the top of the 1st the Uglies got two runners in scoring position but could not cash in. In the bottom of the 1st the Grays went right to work. Ken "Papi" Hartwright reached on an error, Jay "Supe" Sadowski on a fielder's choice, and sub Steve Cole walked to load the bases. Up came John "Ski" Malikowski who ripped a double to centerfield that scored all three runners. Steve Powers knocked in Ski for good measure and the Grays were up 4-0 after one.
The Grays kept hitting in the 3rd, with RBI shots from Powers and Mitch Gaslin. In the top of the 4th the Uglies were able to load the bases with one out, when Jeff Cabana, Morriss "Mo" Partee and Eric "Noodles" Bennett all reached base. But the Grays turned their first of two double plays to kill the rally, an example of the solid defense they displayed throughout the game. After three the Grays were up 4-0.
Slowly and methodically the Grays began to put the game out of reach. In the bottom of the 4th, the #5 hitter Cole drove in another run, and in the 5th inning Tim Sigda drove in 2 more. The Uglies were now in a 9-0 hole and were never really able to get themselves out of it, as Bernacki was dominant and retired the next 6 Uglies. Though the Plugs got a couple of runners on base in the top of the 7th, the game was already out of reach as "Nacho" kept cool and took care of business. Final score: Grays 9, Uglies 0.
Tim Sigda (3-3, 2 2B) and Malikowski (3-4, 2 RBI, 1 2B) led the Grays' charge. Jeff Whitehead recorded 2 hits for the Plugs.
Game photos courtesy of Jeff Whitehead
Wonders 3
Phillies 7
WP: Colin Hosley
LP: Chris Ciepiela
Chris Ciepiela took the mound for the Wonders and Colin Hosley countered for the Phillies Thursday evening at Mitchell Field. Five hits, two errors and a walk contributed to the Phils' second inning, six run rally, propelling them to victory. Ken Sloat pitched the final two innings for the Phillies, earning the save. Wonders' catcher Scott Taylor banged out 3 hits including two doubles in three trips to the plate, while scoring two runs.
Game photos courtesy of Andy Ayres
Fainting Goats 5
Isotopes 2
WP: Tom Conway
LP: Gary Webber
The GOATs* and Isotopes met for the first time this season at School Street Park on Thursday night. Pres Pieraccini got the start for the GOATs*; Gary Webber for the 'Topes.
After two quick outs to start the game, the Isotopes scored two runs on three consecutive hits to take the early lead. But the GOATs* answered in the second with three runs of their own to go ahead.
Tom Conway relieved Pieraccini with two outs in the bottom of the second, tossing 4 1/3 shutout innings and keeping the Isotopes' hitters off balance the rest of the way. The GOATs* added a pair of runs in the fourth, to extend their lead.
Todd Neumann came on to close it out in the 7th, retiring 3 of the 4 batters he faced while striking out 2, earning the save while securing the GOATs* 2nd win of the season.
Jerold Duquette (2-3), Tony Maspo (2-2), Stu Clark (2-2, 2B) Pres Pieraccini (2-2), & Todd Neuman (2-3) led the GOATS* offense. Diego Ortiz (3-4) and Mike Arbour (3-4) paced the 'Topes.
*In keeping with custom, the Fainting Goats are referred to as the GOATs after wins.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark