Rookie/Instructional Championship Game
Maroons 1, Orange 0. The boys of RGMVM took to the field bright and early to compete in the final of the Edward L. Moser Tournament. This turned out to be a real pitching dual with neither team being able to break through with the run that was needed.
Maroons sent young hurler Robbie Hofmann to the mound for the first two innings, striking out four batters along the way. Matching him from the Orange team was Brian Torres, who threw a barrage of fastballs. Maroons loaded the bases on several occasions but were unable to get the big hit when needed.
Maroons handed the ball over to Ryan Schulz for the next three innings and he was right on target, striking out six batters along the way. Again, the Oranges kept the opposition’s bats in check behind lefty pitcher Joe Rubino.
The game finally broke in the sixth inning when the Maroons handed the ball to pitcher Chris Piteo, who struck out the side. The Maroon’s got a lead-off walk from Matt Fox. And with two outs, Ryan Schultz stepped to the plate and delivered the clutch hit the Maroons needed.
Matt Fox scampered all the way around from first base with the winning run. Congratulations to everyone who competed.
Major Division
Juniper Elbow 4, Cutrone’s Lawmen 3. There were powerful home runs by the hitters, and the loud pop of the catcher’s glove told you how hard the pitchers were throwing; yet in the end, a bloop single in the bottom of the sixth was the turning point in a 4-3 win for Juniper Elbow over Cutrone’s Lawmen in a tensely fought contest.
The win improved Juniper’s record to 8-2 on the season. TJ Fox pitched a complete game for Juniper, striking out 14 batters and hitting a long home run over the right field fence. Juniper was in complete control of the game, leading 3-1 in the top of the fourth, when Rob Nacer of Cutrone’s hit a two-run homer to tie it.
The game continued with nice plays by both sides, including Adam Cifka’s helping Juniper escape a bases-loaded jam with a nice play at third. In the bottom of the sixth, Andrew Blanke’s single to left drove home the winning run on a close play at the plate.
Game balls were awarded to Michael Bosco, for a great hit and run scored, and Mike Varela for a nice play at second base. Jake Stubing contributed a great pitching performance of his own for Cutrone’s, battling to the end in a complete game performance. Home runs, strikeouts, nice plays — and the difference between the teams on this day was a bloop hit. Great game by both teams!
Juniper Elbow 15, Walsh Labella 3. There was an odd sighting at the Juniper Elbows game: the sun. However, the team did not let this strange occurrence deter them, as they defeated Walsh Labella, 15-3, improving their record to 9-2. Juniper was led by the complete game dominating pitching of Justin Tableman, who struck out 10 batters and did not allow a run until two outs in the last inning.
Besides the strikeouts, Justin contributed 4 assists from his perch on the mound. Leading the hit brigade was Steve Varela (3-4), Alfred Acosta (2-3, two triples), Anthony Cacioppo (2-3), Adam Cifka (1-1) and TJ Fox (2-2). The game ball nominee, and coincidentally the game ball winner, was Ben Schiavi, whose all-out hustle in the field and at the bat proved contagious to the rest of the Juniper squad.
