By The TimesLedger
The Dwarf Giraffe Athletic League’s Major Baseball Division is locked in a tight race, as the competition has been tough and the games close over the first three weeks of play. Pizza Chef has jumped out to the early lead, but only 2 1/2 games separate the first and last place teams. With a lot of baseball yet to play, the division lead will likely change hands several times before the end of the season.
Major Division
In an exciting ending, 14th Avenue Automotive came from behind to defeat Mario's Pizzeria, 9-8. Mario's jumped out to an early lead behind the brilliant pitching of Matthew Santeufemia, who threw three innings of no-hit ball, striking out nine of the 11 batters he faced. Mario’s offense was led by timely hitting from Frank Esposito, as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead. In the top of the fifth, 14th Avenue was down 6-1 when Sho Yogotogowa, David Burgermeister and Mike Vlachos were able to load the bases. Key hits by Kevin Otis and Jose Barcena drove in critical runs and when the inning ended 14th Avenue led 9-6. Mike Berndt's pitching held Mario’s in check in the fourth and fifth, with the final out coming on a perfect peg from catcher Jose Barcena to shortstop Kevin Otis that caught a Mario’s runner trying to stretch a single into a double.
Pizza Chef defeated Rotavele Elevator by a score of 12-10. Excellent pitching by Keith Lippert and Steven Fadis of Pizza Chef, along with Tommy Franceschini and Julian Cazarez of Rotavele, made it a close and exciting game. Both teams hit well, especially the middle of Rotavele’s line up, Joe Maiolo, Joe Graham and Joe Tortorella. Good fielding plays were also made by second baseman Shannon Kern and James Tierney behind the plate.
Minor Division
Eurotech Auto rallied to beat CJ’s Woodworking, 8-4. CJ’s jumped out to an early lead as Lauren DeSanti pitched strongly over the first three innings, yielding only two runs on a first-inning single by Eurotech’s Michael McCann. CJ’s took the lead 3-2 in the third on a two-run double by Andrew Kovach. Eurotech’s offense finally got going in the fourth when Pat Flynn led off with a home run. Hits by Will Neubauer, Kenny Lehr, Manuel Barcena, Brian Kelley and Nick Katakalides, sandwiched around walks to Dennis Brennan, Pat Berndt and Steven Foley produced six runs and Eurotech took the lead at 8-3. Pat Berndt pitched strongly over the first three innings, gamely fighting his way out of several jams, and Nick Katakalides came on to finish the game and preserve the win for Eurotech.
