by Ken Sawyers
5/8/2019

GAME OF THE WEEK (4/28/19): DYR (1-2) vs Braggvillel (3-0): @ Dimagella

As your humble correspondent, I can say my preview last week of this game proved prophetic as Braggville pounded DYR 17-6 behind a relentless line-up and stellar defense.  DYR’s bats were silent until the later innings but their shoddy defense proved too costly.  1B Chad Engel had a big night with 3 hits and 4 RBI while LF Ted Motor had 3 hits and scored 4 times from his lead-off spot for the victors.   

Braggville’s Chris Connors delivers a pitch during his team’s win Sunday night under the lights against DYR.

Kampersal nipped Jasper Rock 12-2 behind 2B Mike DeFazio’s 3 hits and 4 RBI.  SS Dana Bureau went 4-4 with a triple and had no ‘incidents’ at shortstop.  Jasper Rock’s Derek Cordon was the lone bright spot in an otherwise anemic line-up with 2 hits and both RBI for the losers.

A depleted Dalton Rd beat up Anthony’s East 12-5 as 3B Dave Silk broke out of an 0-12 slump by going 3-4 with 2 RBI.  P Jack Kober continues to dazzle in the circle giving up just 6 hits and 2 ER over 7 innings of work.  Kober was involved in a heated conversation with 1B Dave Birmingham post game in the dugout and accusing the slimmed-down slugger of ‘ole’ing’ a hard grounder that extended an inning in which 3 runs would score.  Teammate and town police officer, Mike Woods had to step in and defuse the situation.  We’ll keep an eye on this as the season progresses.

Birmingham shouting back at his teammate, Jack Kober, following his teams win over Anthony’s.

In a bit of a shocker, South edged Downtown 7-4 as OF Steve Lawless made a triumphant return from after a 2-yr Mormon mission trip with 2 hits and 3 RBI’s.  SS Jason Smith broke out of a 1-14 slump with 3 hits.  Controversy still surrounds this team as P/Mngr Bryan Sweeney was present but did not play and was a vocal participant from the dugout challenging his players repeatedly.  The team is now 2-0 without Sweeney on the mound and new P Greg Copeland seems to have the majority of clubhouse support.

Mudville pounded Lions 27-13 behind Steve Miller’s 309 yds passing and 3 TD’s.  3B/Mgr Eric Kuharich hit for the cycle (5-5) and drove in 5 runs.  Lions OF Ernie Tomacelli did his part with 3 hits and 4 RBI in the loss.

Mudville’s Eric Kuharich on his cycle after his team’s win.

In a game that took 41 minutes, Long Distance edged Brentwood 5-4.   No other news to report here.

And break up the HOOD!!! Not since the days of Hall of Fame SS Brian Salley has the Hood won 2 in a row thanks to a 19-4 beatdown of Queens.  Playing without P Shawn Peters and slugger Greg Andreaola, the Hood was led by veteran 3B Jeff Marshall’s 4 hits and 6 RBI’s.  Peters and Andreaola were coaching their son’s game next door yet still managed to celebrate the win together.  The touching scene was captured below:

Division A Standings through 05 May

Division B Standings through 05 May

WEEK 5  Preview GAME OF THE WEEK:  Dalton Rd (3-0) vs South (2-1) @Patoma Park

South looks to ride the momentum of their big win in week #4 against an undefeated Dalton Rd.  No word on who the starter for South will be but I think this will come down to South’s bats.  Can they get to Dalton starter Jack Kober who has been on a roll?  The big bats of Jacquet, Smith, Lawless, and Franco need to get going early in order to have a chance as Dalton’s defense has been great thus far.  Dalton has the big game experience advantage and I think that will be the difference.