by Ken Sawyers
5/3/2019

Week 3:

GAME OF THE WEEK (4/28/19)

DYR (1-1) vs Kampersal (2-0): @ Stoddard Park

This anticipated match up did not live up to the hype thanks to emergency starting P, Tom Kampersal and DYR’s inept defense.  Tom filled in for his brother George and twirled a gem beating DYR 9-4 keeping DYR hitters off-balance all game with a mix of knuckle balls and quick pitches.  He also shined at the plate with 3 hits and 5 RBI’s.   ‘Professional hitter’ 1B Bryn Smith went 4-4 w 2 RBI in the win.  Kampersal took advantage of 6 DYR errors in the early innings to jump ahead and 3-1 and never looked back.  DYR P Justin Lessard was the hard-luck loser despite striking out 2 and inducing a pop-up to the catcher.   The game was delayed briefly in the 4th……let’s just say Kampersal has renamed the position next to the 3B.  It is now shartstop*…

Kampersal SS Dana Bureau completes his diving stop and flip to 2B to end the 5th inning during his teams 9-4 win over DYR at well-manicured Stoddard Park before the ‘incident’.

Dalton Rd almost blew an 8-run lead but held on to beat Downtown 10-6 behind the bat of OF Steve Cotto’s 3 hits and 4 RBI’s.   P Jack Kober, gave up just 6 hits but was a victim of some poor outfield defense by the usually reliable Tim McDevitt and newcomer Rob Waddell who failed to communicate on a ball in the gap.

McDevitt’s reaction to the botched attempt to catch a fly ball in the 6th inning against Downtown.

In the bottom half of the 5th, Downtown CF Todd Kiley kept his team within striking distance when he showed off his cannon right arm and threw out speedster Dave Birmingham at 3B trying to tag up on a fly ball to center.

Dalton’s Dave Birmingham tags up and almost beats the throw of OF Todd Kiley in the 5th inning of their win over Downtown.

In other ‘A’ games, Braggville stomped South 10-2 behind SS Matt Baker’s 3 hits and 3 RBI.  P Chris Connors was dominate on the hill giving up just 4 hits.  South Manager/P Bryan Sweeney was a late scratch (upper liver injury) further pushing the narrative that the team wants a change on the mound.

South Manager Bryan Sweeney pregame battling the ‘Irish Flu’

Anthony’s East edged Jasper Rock 10-8 as OF Mike ‘Griswold’ DelPrete returned from his European Vacation to collect 3 hits and 3 RBI’s while CF John Shanahan arrived late due to his 65 -year HS reunion.

Teammates were none- too pleased but did enjoy the photo John shared of him tagging out Ty Cobb in a high school game.

Mudville toppled Brentwood 11-5 behind OF Eric Higgins 3 hits and 5 RBI’s while 1B Errick Spada collected 2 hits and 2 RBI’s.   Long Distance Tire upended Queens 12-4 as OF Eric Brucato had a monster night with 4 hits and 6 RBI’s in the win. 1B Chris Landers collected 2 hits and a stolen base in the win.  Actual evidence below:

LDT’s Chris Landers goes all out in his team's win over Queens

And finally, after 2 years and 15- straight losses, The Hood beat Lions 12-4!!  OF Greg Andreaola had 3 hits and 4 RBI and P Shawn Peters tossed a 5-hit complete game.  The win likely eased the urge for Andreaola to jump ship….for now.

Division A Standings through 28 Apr

Division B Standings through 28 Apr

WEEK 4 Preview GAME OF THE WEEK:

DYR (1-1) vs Braggville (2-0): @ Dimagella Field 7:30pm

A re-match of last year’s championship game finds a desperate DYR team facing the reigning 3x champs in an early season showdown.  Braggville is off to a solid start and playing their brand of softball; potent offense and stingy defense.  DYR must get their bats going early and not give extra outs each inning if they have any hope of winning and staying in the hunt for a title shot.  It would be great if the temperature rose above 55 degrees before we hit June…(sorry, quick rant).  I will have a fair and impartial write-up next week on this match up (I play for DYR).

*Millie, I did not come up with that new phrase for the SS position. That credit goes to a member of the Kampersal outfield.