The last four games were a wash for the Queens Lighted Softball Association’s DEA Hitmen, whose 2-2 week saw them trading wins with the Kings of Corona and La Familia in doubleheaders at Queensbridge Park, May 7 and 13.
DEA vs. Kings: Game 1
Defense was the name of the game for the Kings of Corona, who defeated the DEA Hitmen 4-3 and kept their winning streak intact for a short time on Monday, May 13.
The Kings’ defense killed two potential DEArally innings by throwing behind runners.
On the hill, Danny Baratau picked up his fourth win of the season and helped his own cause, going two-forthree with two singles and scoring what proved to be the first game’s winning run.
Ray Montanez added a pair of hits for the Kings, while John Nunez and Melvin Batista each had two singles for DEA.
DEA vs. Kings: Game 2
The DEA Hitmen snapped the Kings of Corona’s five-game winning streak sealing another nightcap 7-6 last Tuesday, May 7.
Jeorge Beritan won on the hill (beating Danny Baratau, who suffered his first loss), as DEAimproved to a 4-6 record for the season. Alex Mejia had a strong showing with two hits, netting him a single, a triple, one run scored and one RBI, and Ante Kolanovic had a two-hit game with two singles. Miguel Valle added an RBI three-bagger in the Kings’ fourth.
Ray Montanez was a perfect fourfor four at the plate, with as many singles and two runs scored for the Kings of Corona.
Andy Fournier drove in three runs for DEA, smacking two RBI singles and running one in, himself. The Hitmen scored two of their four earned runs in the fourth frame and held on for the win as Beritan retired six of the seven batters he faced in the Kings’ last two frames.
DEA vs. La Familia: Game 1
La Familia ended their six-game losing streak thanks largely to Ron Darby’s seven-hit performance, in game one of a doubleheader between La Familia and DEA Hitmen, last Tuesday, May 7. La Familia tallied four times in their forth to break open what was a tied game.
Mortan Moore (making his La Familia debut) doubled in two runs, totaling three for the game. Robert Hauer and Jose Rodriguez each had a pair of La Familia hits. Edgar Vasquez took the loss, having a rough night on the hill and issuing seven free passes. Chris Rodrigo and Dennis Torres had a pair of the seven DEA hits.
DEA vs. La Familia: Game 2
The Hitmen rebounded from their 6-2, game-one loss to take the nightcap 9-5 against La Familia, May 7. Edwin Quinones Sr. bested Ron Darby in this game, and the Hitmen’s bats came alive as they pounded out a whopping 16 hits. Mat Maxwell had a pair and scored twice; Chris Rodrigo had three RBIs and a pair of doubles; and Andy Pugluisi was a perfect three-for-three at the plate with two singles, a double, an RBI and a run scored. Steve Stiller, found the porch with a two- run shot in the DEAthird. Mortan Moore had a two-run double in the La Familia first.
Joe Maxwell slammed two home runs and three RBIs for La Familia. He closed out scoring for the evening’s games.
