By The TimesLedger
Strong pitching, solid fielding and timely hitting led the David Weprin Rockies Glen Oaks Majors girls softball team to a 13-4 victory over previously undefeated Port Washington No. 1, on April 23 in Port Washington. Divya Akula’s three-run blast put the game out of reach in the fourth. Akula was also on the receiving end of catcher Marisa Bearak’s strong rally-killing throw, nailing a Port runner attempting to steal third in the second inning. Bearak added a run scored and knocked in a run, reaching base three times.
Nicole Epstein drove home three runs and also reached based three times, including a two-run triple to cap a six run fourth inning. Jennifer Francis reached based safely all four times up and added two steals and a run scored. Michelle Asciote, starting at second base, drove in what proved to be the winning run and turned a sterling play on a running catch behind the pircher’s mound. Lizzie DiGangi reached base all three times, scored twice, drove in the third inning run that put the David Weprin Rockies ahead for good and snuffed out a potential rally with an unassisted putout at second on a hard ground ball to the right of second base. Lisa Cuiman scored three runs and drove home another.
Starting Pitcher Jessica Gauthier allowed only three runs facing only 14 batters over three innings, walking one and K'ing another. Gauthier also scored three runs. Jillian Meyer scored twice, including the run that gave the David Weprin Rockies the lead, added a RBI and stole three bases. Theresa Pullo added two RBIs and Jennifer reached based safely four times, scored once and stole two bases. Francis reached base seven consecutive times without making an out over the first two games. Epstein was overpowering in two innings with four Ks and struck out the side to end the darkness-shortened game after five innings. Games balls were awarded to Jillian, Lizzie and Divya.
The David Weprin Rockies are managed by Ira Epstein and Corey Bearak and coached by Phil Asciote.
In other Rockies’ action, the team was down 7-3 after three innings, but clawed their way back to overtake a strong New Hyde Park No. 1 team, 12-9, at Nuzzi Field in New Hyde Park. Strong pitching by Tara McCullagh, who held New Hyde Park scoreless over the middle two innings, and Alexis Namit enabled the David Weprin Rockies to come back and take a lead in the top of the sixth that stood up in the bottom of that last inning. Jessica Gauthier, who scored the tying run, ignited a six-run rally with a lead off hit in the top of the sixth. Gauthier also stole four bases.
Jillian Meyer scored the go-ahead run, driven in by Nicole Epstein, who also scored two runs and made several sterling defensive plays and was on the receving end of the game ending putout on a toss from sister Lauren Epstein, playing second to start and finish the game, and who drove in and scored a run.
Leadoff hitter Jennifer Francis, playing first and left, scored two runs and stole two bases. Namit, who collected the victory, struck out four New Hyde Parkers and scored two runs, including what proved to be the wining run. Catcher-third baseman Marisa Bearak scored an insurance run and drove in three runs, including two insurance runs in the top of the sixth that proved to be the victory margin, on two hits.
Divya Akula playing, third and left, also drove in three runs and scored another. Akula also contributed in the field with a stab of a line drive and a toss to Michele Asciote at second for a double play. Asciote also contributed a base hit. Lorey Giblin playing, third and right-center drove in two runs and blasted an opposite field double. Lisa Cuiman, playing Left, drove in the run that brought the David Weprin Rockies to within one run.
Starting pitcher Lauren Glowatz struck out two Elana Glowatz scored a run and her fifth-inning throw held a New Hyde Park leadoff hitter to a double that ultimately prevented a run. Theresa Pullo also contributed outfield defense. Bearak, McCullagh and Namit received game balls.
After three games, the David Weprin Rockies boast a 3-0 Record in the Merrillon League.
On Tuesday, May 8. the Modell's White Sox took on the Gary Spitz TIgers. A two-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning lifted the Tigers to a 5-4 victory over the White Sox.
Drew Devoe scored the winning run on a bases-loaded single by Mike Costanzo with two outs. The White Sox had taken the lead in the top of the fourth with Scott Gandesqui scoring on a bases-loaded walk. With still no one out, the White Sox looked like they might break the game open. The Tigers had to bring in their ace Jonathan Kruczowy, who went right to work, striking out the next three batters which kept the game in striking distance. Walks to Matt Kruczowy, Drew Devoe, Gabriel Santana and Ryan Persaud tied the score at 4-4. The White Sox looked like the might get out of the inning, as Alex Rienhartz struck out the next two Tigers, but Mike Costanza worked the count, fouling off several pitches, and then chopped a roller that allowed Devoe to scamper home for the winning run.
Joey Carrabello pitched another gem for the White Sox in a losing effort.
The Tigers would like to express their condolences to the Modell's family, who mourn the loss of their store owner and founder Michael Modell.
On Saturday, May 12, the Marcella’s Pizza Orioles played host to the Gary Spitz Tigers. The Orioles proved to much for the Tigers, as they pounded out 14 hits, including two home runs by John Rubeneau and solo blasts by Cadie Chu and Chris Beradi. This was a big win for the Orioles, which had not won a game prior to this matchup. Highlights for the Tigers included Jonathan Kruczowy’s second homer of the season and Gabriel Santana’s first hit of the season. THE final score in this impressive Orioles’ victory was 21-11.
In a game played on Sanuday, May 12, the Modell's White Sox defeated the Nick and Maggies Braves, 13-9. Coming into this game, the White Sox, Braves and the Tigers were in a three-way tie in first place. With the Sox win, coupled by a Tigers’ loss to the Orioles, the Sox took lone possession of the top of the standings. The White Sox had to come back twice to win this game. Several Sox players had a good offensive afternoon, especially Scott Gandasegui, who had three hits, including two bunt singles. Justin Namit hit the triple that won the game in the fifth inning. Alex Reinhartz started the game for the Sox, but struggle for three innings in part of some bad plays made by the Sox infield. Joey Caraballo came in the fourth and pitched the rest ofthe game to get the win For the White Sox, Caraballo fanned nine batters to give him a total of 66 strike outs in 23 innings. Caraballo also got a hit and walked twice,
The New Hyde Park Wireless Diamondbacks had a shoot-out at the oval on Wednesday, May 9, against the M&M Deli Cardinals. The D-backs slipped behind early in the game, but came on strong to tie the score in the 5th inning. The hitting of David Treminio was relentless as he was 2 for 3 on the day. Albert Marin blasted a grand slam in the fifth to tie the score. Also, Tim Gallagher was a demon on the base path, walking and scoring twice. On one occasion he stoled second base, third base and home. However, in the end, the Diamondbacks went down in defeat, 7-6.
The second game of the week for the D-backs featured the Met Food Mets as the opponent. The D-backs wasted no time jumping out to 6-1 leed and never looked back. Billy Gillespie went 4-4 with a home run, a triple and two well-hit singles. He also played a heady shortstop. Albert Marin pitched six excellent innings, scattering three three runs on five hits for his first complete game of the season. In addition, John Cacharani’s bat really woke-up. He was 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring once. Tim Gallagher and Chris Ceron played flawless in the field, as Gallagher played second base and Ceron manned left field. Both had solid hits on the day. When the final gun sounded, the D-backs had their fourth win of the season, raising their record to 4-6.
The M&M Deli Cardinals won both their games this week to stretch their winning streak to four and raise their overall record to 6-3-1. On Wednesday they played the tough N.H.P. Wireless D'Back and won 7-6; then on Saturday they defeated the scrappy Petland Discount A's.
Against the D'Backs, the Cards had to play without Greg Conway, who was out sick and lost their first baseman and clean-up hitter John Fauth in the third inning. Despite the shortage of players, the Cardinals rallied around the strong pitching of Raymond Potestio and Brian Biscotti. Ray struck out 10 hitters and Brian fanned two more D'Backs while they combined to allow five earned runs. Offensively, the Cardinals were led by Charlie David, who homered, John Fauth, who drove in two runs before leaving hurt, and Steven Velez, who walked in the sixth inning, then stole second, third and home to provide the winning run.
On Saturday, the Cardinals showed up wearing the hitting shoes and knocked out a total of 20 hits. Leading the attack were Harrison Schneider, Daniel Gasperetti, Steven Velez, Matt Stein and Brian Biscotti, who all had two hits. Ray Potestio chipped in with three hits and Greg Conway hit his first two home runs of the year. John Ryan had two hits and pitched the final three innings to pick up the save. This was John’s first appearance on the mound, shaking off the jitters and settling down to strike out five and allow only three runs. On a down note, the Cardinals lost John Fauth for a few weeks as he broke his thumb against the D'Backs and also found out that Anthony Civitano had played the last couple of games with a broken bone in his hand. The Cardinals know it will be tough without these two players and hope they both will be back for the playoffs. Next up for the Cardinals is a rematch against the tough D'Backs on Monday night.
The Farms Division Glen Belle Car Service Royals continued their season with another strong performance against J.J. Peabody’s Rangers. The Royals defense continues to amaze as they recorded 15 out of a possible 18 outs for the second week in a row. As for offense, the Royals were led by Michael Kelly, Steven Pelan and Jason Flaxman, who all had five hits. Kaitlyn Biscotti, Blaise Christoforatas and Nicholas Frangella chipped in with four hits each, while Louis Salzberg, Danny Graham, Billy Hannigan and Randolph Herbert all had three hits apiece. The Royals had to place Sean Dolan on the disabled list due to his tonsils being removed. All the Royals wish Sean a speedy recovery and quick return to the line up.
The 13-14 year old Glen Oaks Dodgers bounced back from their only loss of the season so far by defeating the United Queens Alliance Yankees, 5-4 on Saturday, May 12. The short-handed Dodgers were led by a strong pitching performance by Kurt Nicoll. Kurt went the distance and struck out 12. Adam Yager led the offense with a single and triple with two RBIs. Stephen Gold added a single and RBI and Rony Abraham had two hits and stole two bases. The defense was a major key to this victory with fine plays in the field from Titus Samuel and Josh Frost. Jeff Garzon pitched and excellent game for the Yankees.
