Sanford’s Finest clinched the doubleheader against its 2011 playoff semi-final rival, the DEA Hitmen, in Queens Lighted Softball Association (QLSA) league play, Apr. 22.
Game 1
Sanford’s Finest took their first game, winning 7-5.
The Hitmen, who led 4-1 after Juan Nunez cleared the bases with a grand slam in the second, was quiet the rest of the way.
Sanford’s Finest’s Edgar Nouel picked up his third win of the season, helping his team with a three-forthree night at the dish, knocking in three singles. Jonathan Nouel had a single and a double for the team, as well.
Hitmen pitcher George Beritan was not as lucky-though he surrendered only two earned runs, he took his second loss of the season.
Game 2
Sanford’s Finest must have felt vindicated for last year’s playoffs after its game-two routing of the Hitmen. The Finest scored an 11-4 come-from-behind win and swept the night’s twin bill.
For Sanford’s (4-0), it is their best start in the QLSA in three years, and for the Hitmen (0-4), their worst in the same time frame.
It looked like DEA would avenge their game one loss, as they drew first blood in the first inning when Steve Stiller delivered a two-run, three bagger and scored on a Andy Fournier double. The drive set up an early 3-0 lead.
DEA added a run in the second, but Finest brought the game to within one with a three spot in the third, taking advantage of a DEAone out error.
Going into the 6th, the score remained 4-3. Finest exploded for eighty runs in the top of the inning.
It all started with an Alex Mercado single, a Jonathan San Pablo double and a two-run single by Edgar Nouel. The double drove in San Pablo & Mercado, giving Finest a 5-4 lead.
After DEA recorded two outs, the skies opened up. Chris Valero drew a free pass, Guillermo singled (later scoring), Jonathan Rameriz ripped an RBI single, Anthony Santos singled, Rinordy Santana delivered an RBI single and Rodney Castillo knocked in two more with his second single of the game. After it all, Sanford’s Finest led 11-4.
The inning ended on a callback single by Alex Mercado as Castillo got a quick jump off first base and was declared “out” under QLSA rules for leaving the base early. DEA went down in order in their sixth and after Andy Fournier doubled in the seenth, he was stranded.
By then, it was too late. Sanford clinched the double header.
