Chris Ciepiela scattered 5 hits over 7 to lead the Wonders past the Goats
Dorian Grays 3
Isotopes 1
WP: Chris Bernacki
LP: Gary Webber
Two of the league's premier pitchers faced off on Thursday at School Street Park; Chris Bernacki for the Grays and Gary Webber for the Isotopes. As expected, runs were at a premium.
The Grays struck first on a homerun by Ken "Papi" Hartwright in the first, and added another run in the second to take a 2-0 lead. The Topes answered in their half of the second, when Mike Arbour doubled and scored.
The score would remain 2-1 until the 6th inning when John "Ski" Malikowski led off with a walk, and back-to-back singles from Steve Powers and Steve "Money" Monette drove him in.
Bernacki and Webber pitched splendidly, each going the distance in this classic matchup. Steve Powers contributed a 3-3 night at the plate for the Grays. Bernacki earned the win and the Grays remain unbeaten.
Plug Uglies 8
Phillies 9
WP: Colin Hosley
LP: Bill Evans
The Plugs and Phils squared off on a warm June night at Herlihy Field. A little extra baseball was on the menu tonight, as the teams started the evening by completing their suspended game from the second week of the season before playing their scheduled game. The Plug Uglies were depleted by several injuries and a couple of ill timed vacations (a TNB+50 tradition), but were able to get a couple of subs and carried on. It took ten innings to decide a winner in game 1.
Colin Hosley and Bill Evans took the mound for their respective teams and held the opponent scoreless in the 9th. In the top of the 10th, the Plugs broke the tie, scoring a run on a long hit to right field by Mike Olkin.
The Plugs threatened to add an insurance run a few batters later, when Plugs reserve, Rob Eccleston, playing his first game since he was forced into retirement due to injury 5 1/2 years ago, singled to left. But a great throw and relay by Jon Ross and Andy Klepacki and a great tag by catcher Ron Totten, snuffed out the run at the plate and ended the inning.
In the bottom of the 10th, the Phils opted not to play for the tie and swung away trying to walk it off in the 10th. Pursuant to extra innings rules, Paul Kaplan started the inning at second base. Jack Eisenstadt got plunked to put runners on first and second with no one out. John Dusenberry walked to load the bases. Jim Fogarty tied the game on a fielder’s choice. After Evans struck out the next hitter, Ken Sloat walked to load the bases with two outs. The sizzling Paul Griswold (.588 AVG) singled to drive in the winning run.
Colin Hosley, who had earned a blown save in the same game earlier in the season, redeemed himself, picking up his second win of the year.
Phillies 10
Plug Uglies 3
WP: Ken Sloat
LP: Greg Elbaum
In game two, the Phillies came out of the gate swinging, plating three runs on hits by Micah Winston, Ken Sloat, Paul Griswold (2B), and Jon Ross. Undaunted, the Plugs answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first on hits by Bill Evans, Greg Elbaum, Rob Eccleston, and Eric “Noodles” Bennett.
The Phils continued the back and forth action in the top of the second. After Ron Totten led of with a single, the Phils scored two runs on walks by Micah Winston and Ken Sloat and an infield error.
Phils starter Ken Sloat settled in, surrendering only 3 more hits the rest of the game, holding the Plugs to 3 runs and picking up his second win of the season.
In the third inning Greg Elbaum, fresh off having stitches removed from his ring finger earlier in the day, came in to pitch. But the Phils continued to hit... scoring three runs in the third on a double by Andy Klepacki, RBI singles by Colin Hosley and Jim Fogarty, and an RBI fielder’s choice by Ron Totten. The Phils added two more in the top of the 6th on a Jon Ross hit, an error, and an RBI single by Ron Totten. It was another “Ugly loss” for the Plugs.
The Plugs hitting stars were Bill Evans (2-3, R, 2 SB) and Rob Eccleston (2-3, RBI). The Phils were led by Micah Winston (1-2, 2 R, BB, SB), Ken Sloat (1-2, R, BB, 2 SB), Paul Griswold (1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI), Jon Ross (3-3, 2 R, RBI), and Ron Totten (2-3, R, 2 RBI).
Goats 0
Wonders 15
WP: Chris Ciepiela
LP: Pres Pieraccini
It was all Wonders Thursday night at Mitchell Field.
Starting pitcher, Chris Ciepiela tossed a complete game shutout, scattering 5 hits over 7 innings, while the Wonders' offense pounded out 20 hits, dominating an uninspired Goats squad in all facets of the game, en route to their first victory of the season.
The lone Goats' highlight occurred in the sixth inning, when second baseman, Pres Pieraccini made a spectacular diving stab to his right on a sinking line drive before popping up to throw to first for a web gem double play, nabbing the Wonders' base runner.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark & Andy Ayres