The 8-Year-Old “Bulldog” Travel Team
The Bulldogs 14, Our Lady of Grace 2. The young travel dogs of RGMVM were on the prowl at Marine Park in Brooklyn for another matchup with the Grace All-Stars. The Bulldogs started Chris Pieto, who unleashed a barrage of heaters, keeping the opposing offense off balance. The Bulldogs pounded out a frenzy of hits over the first three innings to break the game open.
The Doggies broke out the new team bat (straight from the box) that was quickly handed down from batter to batter. The new bat was nicknamed the “The Brooklyn Equalizer.”
Doing the damage for the dog pound were heavy hitters Chris Pieto (3-for-3, double, triple, home run), John Codelia (2-for-3, home run), Mike Guglielmi (3-for-3, double, home run), Brett Buser (3-for-3, double), Matt Fox (2-for-3, double), Robbie Hofmann (1-for-2, double) and Bryan Torres (2-for-3, double).
The Bulldogs defense got into the act with swift infield defense by Robbie Hofmann, Bryan Torres and Brandon Acosta. The defensive play of the game came from catcher Mike Guglielmi, who turned an astonishing double play on a squeeze bunt attempt in the fourth to help close out the game.
Not to be lost in the game was the gutsy performance by Matt Fox, who battled through an early injury and came back to close the game out on the mound in dramatic fashion.
The Bulldogs 21, Good Shepherd 1. The Bulldogs crushed Good Shepherd during a morning game on June 15. The Bulldogs’ high-powered offense was relentless. Brandon Acosta drove in five, while Matt Fox and Chris Pieto drove in four each. The Bulldogs launched two home runs on the day.
The first bomb was hit by Pieto to dead center and the second was a laser beam down the left-field line, hit by Acosta to clear the bases for a grand slam. The Bulldogs used four different pitchers to chalk up the zeros to combine on a no-hitter. Robbie Hoffman struck out four during the first two innings. Brett Buser struck out the side in the fifth to finish the game. The win lifts the Bulldogs to 11-0 on the season.
Instructional Division
The Mets vs. The Rockies. The mighty Mets took the field at a sunny Seither Stadium and defeated the Rockies. The Mets were sparked offensively by Casey Bonsignore, Matt Murphy and Jennifer Pace, who all went 3-for-3. The Mets came to play in the field as well.
Infielders Jason Schneller, Matt Hofmann, Paul Hyland and Rob Schoemig displayed their glove work during the Mets’ last regular game of the season. It has been an amazing year for the young Instructional Moose Lodge Mets.
Major Division
Michael’s Funeral Home 10, Glendale Lumber 0. Robert Hines pitched a two-hit complete game shutout for Michael’s Funeral Home. Hines also contributed at the plate by reaching base in all three at-bats and scoring twice. Raymond Saes and Dennis Murray were once again spark plugs at the top of the order.
Both players reached base in three of four at-bats and scored a run each. Eugene Coizza and Anthony Roberts both reached base twice in the game. Anthony also made a good play in right field in the sixth inning to preserve the shutout.
Michael’s Funeral Home 5, Glendale Lumber 2. Vito Arena pitched a complete game to lead Michael’s to victory. Arena struggled early by giving up two runs in the first. Arena settled down and, with the help of good team defense, did not allow another run over the next five innings of play.
Arena also reached base in two of three at-bats. Michael’s offense was bolstered by Robert Hines and Sean DeBiase, who both reached base in all three plate appearances.
Juniper Elbow 7, Glendale Lumber 6. Juniper Elbow finished its regular season with a 7-6 victory over Glendale Lumber. Backed by two key defensive plays, Juniper was able to squeak out a victory and finish the season at 11-2.
Patrick Coyne made a sliding catch in left field, and Andrew Blanke made a game-saving catch in the sixth in left-center field with the go-ahead run on base. Justin Tableman relieved starter Chris Hain in the sixth to pick up the save.
As the team gets ready for the playoffs, the coach would like to thank all of the Juniper Elbow players and their parents for a fun season.
Girls’ Softball
Glendale Diner Devils vs. AJ Roofers. The Diner Devils defeated the AJ Roofers Saturday morning. The Diner Devils’ offense kicked in gear early as they stringed together a few hard-hit singles from Krystil Hoffman, Andrea Morscher and Michele and Kristi Esposito.
The Devils also received solid pitching from Lynn Schiano and Sammy Stallone, who both struck out four. Catcher Melissa Endres did a great job of handling the pitchers. The Devils finished their season with a 10-0 record. Congratulations on a great season.
Rookie Division
The Metro Star Cafe 8, Martin Fuel 0. The young Metro Stars jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in the divisional face-off with the Martin Fuel Crew. Robert Hoffman drove in two in the first with a hard single to center. Metro Stars’ pitcher Chris Pieto opened the game by recording the first nine outs of the game on strikeouts.
Ryan Schulze came in to relieve Pieto. After walking his first two batters, Schulze settled down with the help of his team, which played fine defense behind him. Robbie Hoffman snared a line drive and turned it into a double play to end the fourth. Schulze struck out the side in the fifth and closed out the sixth to improve the Metro Stars’ record to a perfect 10-0.
The Metro Star Cafe 9, Marlite 2. Metro Stars pitcher Chris Pieto once again recorded his first nine outs of the game via the strikeout en route to an easy victory. The Metro Stars offense clicked early and often. Pieto hit a home run to straight away center in the second.
The next batter, Mike Guglielmi, slammed what looked like another home run, but a tree branch held the ball in the park. Ryan Schulze pitched the fourth and fifth, also getting all six outs on strikeouts. Robbie Hoffman closed the door in the sixth by striking out the side.
