The third time's the charm, as the DC Bullets finally upended The Daily Show, 11-4, in Monday evening softball action. Each of the past two seasons found The Daily Show squad triumphing over the Bullets in walk-off fashion. This year, after falling into an early deficit, the comic book makers scored eleven unanswered runs to win the game going away.
The bats, however, started sluggishly. In the first, Nel Yomtov and Mike Lorah singled with one out, but both were left stranded. Sal Cipriano led off the second inning with a rifle-shot single to left, but never advanced past second base. Jon Stewart's minions seized the early advantage, plating three runs in the bottom of the first (a three-run bomb by only their third batter of the game) and one more in the second, carrying a 4-0 lead into the third inning.
The second time through the line-up, the Bullets found their mojo. Five consecutive one-out hits propelled DC to the lead. Nel bashed a triple to the opposite field, scoring easily on Mike's ground single into left. Clean-up hitter Jay Kogan followed with the team's first home run of the 2012 season, a game-tying smash into deep right center. Back-to-back singles by Pat Brosseau and Sal set up to the go-ahead run. Laura Demoreuille grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Sal at second, but Pat took advantage of an inattentive defense and sprinted home with the lead run. Allison Dugas-Behan grounded out to end the rally, but DC never looked back.
After a long fly out by Blake Kobashigawa to start the fourth, Neil Hiremath singled through the middle. Nel Yomtov shot a double down the right field line, and Neil raced home from third when the throw back to the infield bounced off Nel's back. Nel took third on the ricochet and scored on Mike's ground out. Jay added a two-out single before Pat grounded out to end the frame.
Batting around in the fifth, the Bullets added four more runs. Sal singled, Laura grounded out, and Alli singled. Then Blake demolished a towering fly to deep left, which skipped off the end of the leaping fielder's glove, scoring Sal easily. Neil and Nel each plated another run with singles, and after Mike's roller to third forced Neil there, Jay hammered a two-out RBI hit to left. Pat grounded out to wrap the inning.
A final run tallied in the sixth, as Sal singled, advanced on Alli's one-out grounder, and crossed the plate on Blake's base hit. Wrapping the offensive output, Jay continued his torrid hitting, collecting a one-out double, the Bullets' only seventh inning baserunner.
Pitcher Pat Brosseau and the Bullet defense held The Daily Show down for the final five innings, preventing a single run from scoring. Neil and Jay, in particular, ran down several well struck flies to squelch TDS rallies, and Pat came off the mound like a cat to field several infield choppers. Also, well wishes to rehabbing Bullets star Andrew Arnold, whose lower back seized up during pre-game warm-ups.
The Bullets (2-0) meet Random House on Thursday at our home field, North Meadow #2 in Central Park.
Bullet Box:
CF Neil Hiremath - 2-5, R, RBI
SS Nel Yomtov - 4-5, 3 R, RBI, double, triple
3B Mike Lorah - 2-5, R, 2 RBI
LF Jay Kogan - 4-5, R, 3 RBI, double, home run
P Pat Brosseau - 1-5, R
2B Sal Cipirano - 4-4, 2 R
1B Laura Demoreuille - 0-4
C Allison Dugas-Behan - 1-4, R
RF Blake Kobashigawa - 2-4, R, 2 RBI, double
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Bullets Surge Late to Win Opener
With the cost of softball field permits on the rise, the DC Bullets opted to forgo their usual season-opening practice and get right to game action, facing Bloomberg Thursday evening to kick off the 2012 season. The lack of rehearsal was obvious in the early innings, as both teams floundered to put runners on base. Trailing by a run going into the last of the sixth, the Bullets bats, however, shook off their slumber, scoring five times with two outs to seal the game. The final tally, in a nine-inning affair (both teams needed the extra reps!) - DC Bullets 7, Bloomberg 4.
Neither team scored in the first three innings. In truth, neither team threatened to score during those frames. The Bullets put runners on first and second in the first, with Christine CNap Napolitano and Andrew Arnold (and a big "welcome back" to Andrew - it's good to have you on the field again!) both lining clean singles, but no runner advanced past second base. Allison Klein roped a one-out single into right field in the second, and Sal Cipriano slammed a hard ground single to left in the third, but both runners were left stranded. The good news was that, despite the offensive struggles, the Bullets' defense looked tight in the early going - routine ground balls consistently turned into outs and several well-struck fly balls run down by the speedy outfielders.
Bloomberg drew first blood in the fourth, when a hard line drive to center skipped past Neil Hiremath. The relay throw wasn't in time to prevent the home run. One out later, Blake Kobashigawa (one of three Bullets playing for Bloomberg) singled and came around to score on two more base hits, spotting Bloomberg a two-run lead.
The Bullets halved the lead in the bottom half. After CNap's lead-off hit, Mike Lorah popped out to first base in foul territory. CNap was then thrown out going to third base on Andrew's base hit through the middle, but Andrew alertly took second on the throw to third and scored easily on John Choi's double to right center.
The fifth inning went quietly for both sides (Brian Cunningham's one-out double, crushed on one bounce off the left field fence notwithstanding), and DC's Pat Brosseau retired Bloomberg quickly in the top of the sixth.
Bottom six, things didn't start with much more promise than the previous five Bullet turns at the plate. Ailen Lugo lined out to shortshop, and Sal crushed a long flyout to deep left. With two gone, however, Neil Hiremath singled through the middle, and CNap beat out a hard roller to third - with both runners moving into scoring position on an overthrow past the first baseman. Reigning team MVP Mike Lorah, finally shaking off some rust, hammered a single to center, scoring Neil, tying the game. CNap stopped at third, and Mike took second on the throw home. Andrew followed with the go-ahead hit. John and Pat followed with a double and a single respectively, scoring Mike and Andrew, respectively, before Allison grounded out to end the inning.
After a quick top seven - with no late game and the sun setting, but present - both teams agreed to squeeze in two more innings. Nel Yomtov singled with two outs in bottom seven, but could not be advanced. In the eighth, DC added another insurance run: Sal doubled when the left fielder couldn't handle his long fly near the fence, moved to third on Neil's ground out and scored on CNap's roller to third. Mike added a two-out single before Andrew hit into the 6-4 fielder's choice to wrap up DC's offensive showing.
Bloomberg scored twice in the ninth against a tiring Pat Brosseau, who went the distance, deadball-era style, in the season opener, bringing the final tally to 7-4, Bullets.
The Bullets (1-0) meet The Daily Show on Monday evening at Dewitt Clinton Park. Everyone's encouraged to come out and cheer the team on in what's sure to be one of their most exciting games of the year!
A big thanks to Danielle Yannetta, Blake Kobashigawa and Dan Bertoldi for being good sports and joining the Bloomberg squad Thursday evening:
C Danielle Yannetta - 0-5
1B Blake Kobashigawa - 1-4, R
RF Dan Bertoldi - 1-4
Bullets Box:
CF Neil Hiremath - 1-4, R
RF/2B Christine Napolitano - 3-4, R, RBI
3B Mike Lorah - 2-4, R, RBI
LF/SS Andrew Arnold - 3-4, 2 R, RBI
DH John Choi - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 doubles
P Pat Brosseau - 1-3
2B Allison Klein - 1-3
1B Brian Cunningham - 1-3, double
C Allison Dugas-Behan (a hearty Bullets congrats, Alli!) - 0-3
SS/LF Nel Yomtov - 1-3
RF Ailen Lugo - 0-3
1B Sal Cipriano - 2-3, R, double
Neither team scored in the first three innings. In truth, neither team threatened to score during those frames. The Bullets put runners on first and second in the first, with Christine CNap Napolitano and Andrew Arnold (and a big "welcome back" to Andrew - it's good to have you on the field again!) both lining clean singles, but no runner advanced past second base. Allison Klein roped a one-out single into right field in the second, and Sal Cipriano slammed a hard ground single to left in the third, but both runners were left stranded. The good news was that, despite the offensive struggles, the Bullets' defense looked tight in the early going - routine ground balls consistently turned into outs and several well-struck fly balls run down by the speedy outfielders.
Bloomberg drew first blood in the fourth, when a hard line drive to center skipped past Neil Hiremath. The relay throw wasn't in time to prevent the home run. One out later, Blake Kobashigawa (one of three Bullets playing for Bloomberg) singled and came around to score on two more base hits, spotting Bloomberg a two-run lead.
The Bullets halved the lead in the bottom half. After CNap's lead-off hit, Mike Lorah popped out to first base in foul territory. CNap was then thrown out going to third base on Andrew's base hit through the middle, but Andrew alertly took second on the throw to third and scored easily on John Choi's double to right center.
The fifth inning went quietly for both sides (Brian Cunningham's one-out double, crushed on one bounce off the left field fence notwithstanding), and DC's Pat Brosseau retired Bloomberg quickly in the top of the sixth.
Bottom six, things didn't start with much more promise than the previous five Bullet turns at the plate. Ailen Lugo lined out to shortshop, and Sal crushed a long flyout to deep left. With two gone, however, Neil Hiremath singled through the middle, and CNap beat out a hard roller to third - with both runners moving into scoring position on an overthrow past the first baseman. Reigning team MVP Mike Lorah, finally shaking off some rust, hammered a single to center, scoring Neil, tying the game. CNap stopped at third, and Mike took second on the throw home. Andrew followed with the go-ahead hit. John and Pat followed with a double and a single respectively, scoring Mike and Andrew, respectively, before Allison grounded out to end the inning.
After a quick top seven - with no late game and the sun setting, but present - both teams agreed to squeeze in two more innings. Nel Yomtov singled with two outs in bottom seven, but could not be advanced. In the eighth, DC added another insurance run: Sal doubled when the left fielder couldn't handle his long fly near the fence, moved to third on Neil's ground out and scored on CNap's roller to third. Mike added a two-out single before Andrew hit into the 6-4 fielder's choice to wrap up DC's offensive showing.
Bloomberg scored twice in the ninth against a tiring Pat Brosseau, who went the distance, deadball-era style, in the season opener, bringing the final tally to 7-4, Bullets.
The Bullets (1-0) meet The Daily Show on Monday evening at Dewitt Clinton Park. Everyone's encouraged to come out and cheer the team on in what's sure to be one of their most exciting games of the year!
A big thanks to Danielle Yannetta, Blake Kobashigawa and Dan Bertoldi for being good sports and joining the Bloomberg squad Thursday evening:
C Danielle Yannetta - 0-5
1B Blake Kobashigawa - 1-4, R
RF Dan Bertoldi - 1-4
Bullets Box:
CF Neil Hiremath - 1-4, R
RF/2B Christine Napolitano - 3-4, R, RBI
3B Mike Lorah - 2-4, R, RBI
LF/SS Andrew Arnold - 3-4, 2 R, RBI
DH John Choi - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 doubles
P Pat Brosseau - 1-3
2B Allison Klein - 1-3
1B Brian Cunningham - 1-3, double
C Allison Dugas-Behan (a hearty Bullets congrats, Alli!) - 0-3
SS/LF Nel Yomtov - 1-3
RF Ailen Lugo - 0-3
1B Sal Cipriano - 2-3, R, double
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
2012 Season Preview!
Hello, folks, and welcome to a new season of DC Bullets softball! As you can see, this year the Bullets have an all new look, but the focus remains the same: win some ballgames while having fun! We're on the eve of the new season, so let's give you a little preview of what is upcoming.
Along with a new look the team has some new Bullets to replace members who have moved to our West Coast division. Welcome Danielle Yanetta, Kevin Schwoer, Ailen Lugo, and Dan Bertoldi to the fold! We bid a fond farewell to Brian Walters, LP, and Rookie of the Year Travis Hastback. All of which are playing for DC Entertainment's West Coast team with former Bullets Captain Adam Schlagman and parttime Bullets player Lalida Musso. May they kick butt in their own league!
The Bullets will also welcome back former stalwarts Andrew Arnold and Lauren "Doc" Fries, both of whom missed the 2011 season due to injury and pregnancy, respectively. Doc may be the Away game weapon this year, but it'll be interesting to see how the former perennial MVP, Arnold, bounces back after the lengthy layover. Good luck to both players! Also returning to a more full time basis is Brian BC Cunningham. The slugging editor reappeared for the team during last year's playoffs, and is champing at the bit to hit the field running. The Super Soldier Nel Yomtov also returns to take back shortstop after an injury cut his productive season in half.
The roster has grown to MLB level this season, and manager Sal Cipriano will need every last team member to contribute as they embark on an ambitious 28 game schedule. Forgoing their usual practice, tomorrow marks their official Opening Day against the cheerful team from Bloomberg News. Having defeated a hybrid Bloomberg/Bullets team last year by a narrow margin, it'll be interesting to see what kind of team the opponents trot out for this year's tilt.
The Bullets play their first New York Media League game at home on May 7th against WNYC, a good team that's always matched well with DC, but had a rough patch last year, finishing last. They'll surely come in with a chip on their shoulder and the Bullets in their scopes. The most interesting NYMSL dates, though, is the High Times series. Playing a two game set within a few days of each other could escalate the rivalry to hockey level proportions! The wraparound-the-weekend series takes place on July 12th and 16th. The Bullets end the season with their final league game vs. Forbes, who came into the league last season and played two of the more memorable and even games of the year. Newsweek/Daily Beast leader Randall Lane actually jumped ship over the off season to Forbes, making the team even more dangerous!
Aside from league games, the non league games will be plentiful. Highlights include truTV, who defeated the Bullets in their first meeting last season, and burgeoning rivalries with The Nation and The Daily Show. There are also a number of new teams on the schedule that will be interesting to play including NBC Universal, ITV, Chartbeat, BN.com, Left/Right, and Hachette.
And of course there's the Marvel game. No game is bigger, yet the Bullets will have a mountain to climb after losing ground on the rivalry last year with a huge blowout loss. Can they pull it together this year?
The following is the full schedule. Please feel free to stop by and watch and cheer us on. Our home games are on Thursdays at 5:30PM on Central Park's North Meadow Field #2. See you there!
Along with a new look the team has some new Bullets to replace members who have moved to our West Coast division. Welcome Danielle Yanetta, Kevin Schwoer, Ailen Lugo, and Dan Bertoldi to the fold! We bid a fond farewell to Brian Walters, LP, and Rookie of the Year Travis Hastback. All of which are playing for DC Entertainment's West Coast team with former Bullets Captain Adam Schlagman and parttime Bullets player Lalida Musso. May they kick butt in their own league!
The Bullets will also welcome back former stalwarts Andrew Arnold and Lauren "Doc" Fries, both of whom missed the 2011 season due to injury and pregnancy, respectively. Doc may be the Away game weapon this year, but it'll be interesting to see how the former perennial MVP, Arnold, bounces back after the lengthy layover. Good luck to both players! Also returning to a more full time basis is Brian BC Cunningham. The slugging editor reappeared for the team during last year's playoffs, and is champing at the bit to hit the field running. The Super Soldier Nel Yomtov also returns to take back shortstop after an injury cut his productive season in half.
The roster has grown to MLB level this season, and manager Sal Cipriano will need every last team member to contribute as they embark on an ambitious 28 game schedule. Forgoing their usual practice, tomorrow marks their official Opening Day against the cheerful team from Bloomberg News. Having defeated a hybrid Bloomberg/Bullets team last year by a narrow margin, it'll be interesting to see what kind of team the opponents trot out for this year's tilt.
The Bullets play their first New York Media League game at home on May 7th against WNYC, a good team that's always matched well with DC, but had a rough patch last year, finishing last. They'll surely come in with a chip on their shoulder and the Bullets in their scopes. The most interesting NYMSL dates, though, is the High Times series. Playing a two game set within a few days of each other could escalate the rivalry to hockey level proportions! The wraparound-the-weekend series takes place on July 12th and 16th. The Bullets end the season with their final league game vs. Forbes, who came into the league last season and played two of the more memorable and even games of the year. Newsweek/Daily Beast leader Randall Lane actually jumped ship over the off season to Forbes, making the team even more dangerous!
Aside from league games, the non league games will be plentiful. Highlights include truTV, who defeated the Bullets in their first meeting last season, and burgeoning rivalries with The Nation and The Daily Show. There are also a number of new teams on the schedule that will be interesting to play including NBC Universal, ITV, Chartbeat, BN.com, Left/Right, and Hachette.
And of course there's the Marvel game. No game is bigger, yet the Bullets will have a mountain to climb after losing ground on the rivalry last year with a huge blowout loss. Can they pull it together this year?
The following is the full schedule. Please feel free to stop by and watch and cheer us on. Our home games are on Thursdays at 5:30PM on Central Park's North Meadow Field #2. See you there!
2012 Bullets Fire!
Monday, November 21, 2011
DC Bullets Awards 2011!
This past Friday the DC Bullets got together and had its annual awards party. Thanks to all that attended and congrats to all the winners. Here now are the nominations and results:
Most Valuable Player:
Travis
Mike-WINNER
CNAP
Jay
Rookie of the Year:
Travis-WINNER
John
Blake
Wonder Woman Award:
CNAP--WINNER
Laura
Alli D
Gold Glove Pitcher:
Larry-WINNER
Pat
Joel
Jeff
Gold Glove Catcher:
Blake
Alli D-WINNER
LP
CNAP
Gold Glove 1B:
Sal--WINNER
Laura
Gold Glove 2B:
CNAP-WINNER
Brian
Joel
Gold Glove 3B:
Mike-WINNER
Gold Glove SS:
Joel
Nel-WINNER
Brian
John
Gold Glove OF:
Vince
Jay-WINNER
Neil-WINNER
Pat-WINNER
Travis-WINNER
CNAP
John
Brian
Jeff
Gold Glove Utility:
Brian
John
Joel-WINNER
Travis
LP
Comeback Player of the Year:
LP-WINNER
Neil
Jay
CNAP
Pat
Jeff
Most Improved Player of the Year:
Brian-WINNER
Alli D-WINNER
Blake
Jeff
Neil
Defensive Play of the Year:
Travis back-to-back diving catches to
clinch game against Newsweek/Daily Beast-WINNER
Jay’s double play in Playoffs
Travis most catches
Offensive Moment of the Year:
Lalida's "homerun" vs. High Times
Sal’s Grand Slam vs. Newsweek/Daily Beast-WINNER
Team Comeback vs. Forbes
Team Spirit Award:
John
Alli D
Sal-WINNER
CNAP
Mike
Larry
Most Valuable Player:
Travis
Mike-WINNER
CNAP
Jay
Rookie of the Year:
Travis-WINNER
John
Blake
Wonder Woman Award:
CNAP--WINNER
Laura
Alli D
Gold Glove Pitcher:
Larry-WINNER
Pat
Joel
Jeff
Gold Glove Catcher:
Blake
Alli D-WINNER
LP
CNAP
Gold Glove 1B:
Sal--WINNER
Laura
Gold Glove 2B:
CNAP-WINNER
Brian
Joel
Gold Glove 3B:
Mike-WINNER
Gold Glove SS:
Joel
Nel-WINNER
Brian
John
Gold Glove OF:
Vince
Jay-WINNER
Neil-WINNER
Pat-WINNER
Travis-WINNER
CNAP
John
Brian
Jeff
Gold Glove Utility:
Brian
John
Joel-WINNER
Travis
LP
Comeback Player of the Year:
LP-WINNER
Neil
Jay
CNAP
Pat
Jeff
Most Improved Player of the Year:
Brian-WINNER
Alli D-WINNER
Blake
Jeff
Neil
Defensive Play of the Year:
Travis back-to-back diving catches to
clinch game against Newsweek/Daily Beast-WINNER
Jay’s double play in Playoffs
Travis most catches
Offensive Moment of the Year:
Lalida's "homerun" vs. High Times
Sal’s Grand Slam vs. Newsweek/Daily Beast-WINNER
Team Comeback vs. Forbes
Team Spirit Award:
John
Alli D
Sal-WINNER
CNAP
Mike
Larry
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Some Consolation: Bullets Battle Past Newsweek/Daily Beast
Both the DC Bullets and Newsweek/Daily Beast dropped their first round games during the New York Media Softball League playoffs on Saturday. I like to think that with a better hop here or there, either team could easily have been in the championship game. The Bullets lost by a mere 13 runs, and NDB only a dozen.
So in the Loser's Game - sorry, the "consolation" game - both DC and NDB opted to have some fun. In the end, the Bullets held on for an 8-5 victory.
NDB struck quickly, scoring a run in the top of the first. Just one. Not ten. The Bullets responded. After Christine Napolitano fouled out, Pat Brosseau, John Choi and Mike Lorah singled in sequence to load the bases. Vince Letterio's fielder's choice erased John, but scored Pat to tie the game, and both Mike and Vince moved into scoring position on an errant throw. Joel Press capitalized, driving home both runs with an RBI single to left, giving DC an early lead which they'd hold onto.
Jerry Cerza and Larry Ganem singled with one away in the second, but both were left stranded. DC, however, added to their lead in the third: CNap singled, was forced at second on Pat's grounder. John doubled to score Pat, but had to hold at second on Mike's infield single. Both runners scored on Vince's triple to left field, and a fourth run scored on Joel's single.
After a scoreless fourth by both teams, NDB answered DC's four-run third with four runs of their own, making the game a two-run affair. DC came up empty in their half of the fifth, but held NDB scoreless in the sixth. Singles by Vince, Joel, a fielder's choice by Allison Dugas, and a base hit by Brian Cunningham added one more run to DC's tally. Larry Ganem held Newsweek/Daily Beast scoreless one more time in the seventh, and DC won the consolation game for the third straight year.
Defensive highlights included a John to Mike to Blake relay to cut down a run at the plate, a pair of backhand pick-ups by Brian at second base, and a nice running catch from Vince in left. Jay couldn't stay for this game, Laura left partway through, and Jerry departed with an injured thumb (hope you're feeling better!), but the remaining Bullets picked up the slack, stepped into unfamiliar positions and held their ground.
The Bullets finish 15-10 overall, including 6-4 NYMSL regular season and 1-1 NYMSL playoffs.
Oh, but wait, there's one more game to go! Yes, this Friday, DC Comics vs. Archie Comics. Rained out earlier this summer, we're gonna make this one up. Last chance for softball, so you all better be there.
Bullet Box:
RF Christine Napolitano - 2-3
RCF/1B Pat Brosseau - 1-3, 2 R
LCF John Choi - 3-3, R, RBI, double
SS/3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 2 R
LF Vince Letterio - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, triple
3B/SS Joel Press - 3-3, R, RBI
C Allison Dugas - 0-3
2B/1B Brian Cunningham - 2-3, RBI
1B Jerry Cerza - 1-2
P Larry Ganem - 1-3
1B Laura Demoreuille - 0-1
C/2B Blake Kobashigawa - 0-3
So in the Loser's Game - sorry, the "consolation" game - both DC and NDB opted to have some fun. In the end, the Bullets held on for an 8-5 victory.
NDB struck quickly, scoring a run in the top of the first. Just one. Not ten. The Bullets responded. After Christine Napolitano fouled out, Pat Brosseau, John Choi and Mike Lorah singled in sequence to load the bases. Vince Letterio's fielder's choice erased John, but scored Pat to tie the game, and both Mike and Vince moved into scoring position on an errant throw. Joel Press capitalized, driving home both runs with an RBI single to left, giving DC an early lead which they'd hold onto.
Jerry Cerza and Larry Ganem singled with one away in the second, but both were left stranded. DC, however, added to their lead in the third: CNap singled, was forced at second on Pat's grounder. John doubled to score Pat, but had to hold at second on Mike's infield single. Both runners scored on Vince's triple to left field, and a fourth run scored on Joel's single.
After a scoreless fourth by both teams, NDB answered DC's four-run third with four runs of their own, making the game a two-run affair. DC came up empty in their half of the fifth, but held NDB scoreless in the sixth. Singles by Vince, Joel, a fielder's choice by Allison Dugas, and a base hit by Brian Cunningham added one more run to DC's tally. Larry Ganem held Newsweek/Daily Beast scoreless one more time in the seventh, and DC won the consolation game for the third straight year.
Defensive highlights included a John to Mike to Blake relay to cut down a run at the plate, a pair of backhand pick-ups by Brian at second base, and a nice running catch from Vince in left. Jay couldn't stay for this game, Laura left partway through, and Jerry departed with an injured thumb (hope you're feeling better!), but the remaining Bullets picked up the slack, stepped into unfamiliar positions and held their ground.
The Bullets finish 15-10 overall, including 6-4 NYMSL regular season and 1-1 NYMSL playoffs.
Oh, but wait, there's one more game to go! Yes, this Friday, DC Comics vs. Archie Comics. Rained out earlier this summer, we're gonna make this one up. Last chance for softball, so you all better be there.
Bullet Box:
RF Christine Napolitano - 2-3
RCF/1B Pat Brosseau - 1-3, 2 R
LCF John Choi - 3-3, R, RBI, double
SS/3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 2 R
LF Vince Letterio - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, triple
3B/SS Joel Press - 3-3, R, RBI
C Allison Dugas - 0-3
2B/1B Brian Cunningham - 2-3, RBI
1B Jerry Cerza - 1-2
P Larry Ganem - 1-3
1B Laura Demoreuille - 0-1
C/2B Blake Kobashigawa - 0-3
NYMSL Playoff: First Round Heartbreak
Saturday afternoon's first round playoff match-up between New York Media Softball League #2 seed Wall St. Journal and #3 DC Bullets went down to the wire. DC broke out of an offensive malaise, perhaps instigated in part by their three-week layoff between the season's final game and the playoffs start-up, with three runs in the seventh. But the Bullets fell just short in a 7-4 loss.
Okay, that would've been the story if we could only ignore that rather psyche-damaging ten-run first inning that WSJ put on the Bullets. The final score was actually 17-4. But it sounds more dramatic when it's a closer game, doesn't it?
DC fell into a black hole from the start: Larry Ganem grounded out, Mike Lorah mustered an infield single, and John Choi grounded into a 6-4-3 twin-killing; WSJ then batted around, scoring numbers that usually look okay on the opposing scoreboard - "1" and "0", but they don't look quite so good when you put them together. "10"
Could the team rally? In the second, Pat Brosseau hammered a one-out double to center, moved to third in Vince Letterio's base hit and came home on Laura Demoreuille's grounder. After Allison Dugas grounded out to end the second, DC managed a few scoring threats, but little actual scoring.
One-out singles by Jerry Cerza and Blake Kobashigawa offered hope in the third, but Christine Napolitano grounded into a fielder's choice, erasing Jerry, and WSJ's pitcher snared Larry Ganem's line drive to end the threat. Mike, John and Jay Kogan, the heart of the order, went meekly in order in the fourth; Pat singled to lead off the fifth, and Joel added a two-out hit, but neither came near home plate. Two-out singles by CNap and Larry brought Mike to the plate in the sixth, but a high fly to deep right was hauled in for the inning-ender.
Meanwhile, WSJ tacked on two runs in the third, four runs in the fifth, and one more (on a monster home run to right center) in the sixth. And it could've been worse: with a runner on first in the fourth inning, Jay Kogan ran down a towering fly ball somewhere on Central Park West, and then doubled up WSJ's runner - who'd gone from first base nearly to third - when he missed second base while retreating. The very next batter scorched another towering drive that Jay also ran down. CNap also ran down a long fly in right earlier in the game, and after a terrible first inning, captain Sal Cipriano's re-aligned defense played much better over the final six innings.
Seventh inning, down to our last three outs, and sixteen runs down - the Bullets showed just a little bit of fight. After John worked a leadoff walk, Jay and Pat singled, scoring one run. Vince popped up, but Laura drew another walk to load the bases. Joel grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Laura, but Jay scored, and Pat also sprinted home on an errant throw on the double-play attempt. Brian Cunningham and Jerry added two-out singles to reload the bases, but Blake's fielder's choice wrapped up the game.
17-4, not much good to say about it. Congrats to Wall St. Journal for going on to top High Times for their third straight NYMSL championship, and credit to their hitters and defense for preventing DC from ever seizing any momentum in this one. They are the class of the league. For now, anyway.
Bullet Box:
P/C Larry Ganem - 1-3
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3
LCF/SS John Choi - 0-2, R, BB
LCF Jay Kogan - 1-3, R
RCF Pat Brosseau - 3-3, 2 R, RBI, double
LF Vince Letterio - 1-3
1B Laura Demoreuille 0-1, RBI, BB / C Allison Dugas - 0-1
SS/P Joel Press - 1-3, 2 RBI
2B Brian Cunningham - 1-3
2B Jerry Cerza - 2-3
C Blake Kobashigawa - 1-3
RF Christine Napolitano - 1-2
Okay, that would've been the story if we could only ignore that rather psyche-damaging ten-run first inning that WSJ put on the Bullets. The final score was actually 17-4. But it sounds more dramatic when it's a closer game, doesn't it?
DC fell into a black hole from the start: Larry Ganem grounded out, Mike Lorah mustered an infield single, and John Choi grounded into a 6-4-3 twin-killing; WSJ then batted around, scoring numbers that usually look okay on the opposing scoreboard - "1" and "0", but they don't look quite so good when you put them together. "10"
Could the team rally? In the second, Pat Brosseau hammered a one-out double to center, moved to third in Vince Letterio's base hit and came home on Laura Demoreuille's grounder. After Allison Dugas grounded out to end the second, DC managed a few scoring threats, but little actual scoring.
One-out singles by Jerry Cerza and Blake Kobashigawa offered hope in the third, but Christine Napolitano grounded into a fielder's choice, erasing Jerry, and WSJ's pitcher snared Larry Ganem's line drive to end the threat. Mike, John and Jay Kogan, the heart of the order, went meekly in order in the fourth; Pat singled to lead off the fifth, and Joel added a two-out hit, but neither came near home plate. Two-out singles by CNap and Larry brought Mike to the plate in the sixth, but a high fly to deep right was hauled in for the inning-ender.
Meanwhile, WSJ tacked on two runs in the third, four runs in the fifth, and one more (on a monster home run to right center) in the sixth. And it could've been worse: with a runner on first in the fourth inning, Jay Kogan ran down a towering fly ball somewhere on Central Park West, and then doubled up WSJ's runner - who'd gone from first base nearly to third - when he missed second base while retreating. The very next batter scorched another towering drive that Jay also ran down. CNap also ran down a long fly in right earlier in the game, and after a terrible first inning, captain Sal Cipriano's re-aligned defense played much better over the final six innings.
Seventh inning, down to our last three outs, and sixteen runs down - the Bullets showed just a little bit of fight. After John worked a leadoff walk, Jay and Pat singled, scoring one run. Vince popped up, but Laura drew another walk to load the bases. Joel grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Laura, but Jay scored, and Pat also sprinted home on an errant throw on the double-play attempt. Brian Cunningham and Jerry added two-out singles to reload the bases, but Blake's fielder's choice wrapped up the game.
17-4, not much good to say about it. Congrats to Wall St. Journal for going on to top High Times for their third straight NYMSL championship, and credit to their hitters and defense for preventing DC from ever seizing any momentum in this one. They are the class of the league. For now, anyway.
Bullet Box:
P/C Larry Ganem - 1-3
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3
LCF/SS John Choi - 0-2, R, BB
LCF Jay Kogan - 1-3, R
RCF Pat Brosseau - 3-3, 2 R, RBI, double
LF Vince Letterio - 1-3
1B Laura Demoreuille 0-1, RBI, BB / C Allison Dugas - 0-1
SS/P Joel Press - 1-3, 2 RBI
2B Brian Cunningham - 1-3
2B Jerry Cerza - 2-3
C Blake Kobashigawa - 1-3
RF Christine Napolitano - 1-2
Friday, September 9, 2011
NYMSL PLAYOFFS TOMORROW!
From league commish Steve Bloom:
TOMORROW: 5TH ANNUAL NYMSL PLAYOFFS IN CENTRAL PARK
It's a huge weekend in New York with the 9/11 commemoration, but there's
at least one other event worth noting: the New York Media Softball League
playoffs on Saturday.
Starting at 1 pm in Central Park's Heckscher Playground (Fields 1 and 2),
the top four NYMSL teams will face off in a round-robin tournament. It's
#1-seed High Times (9-1) vs. #4-seed Newsweek DailyBeast (3-7) and #2-seed
Wall St. Journal (7-3) vs. #3-seed DC Comics (6-4) in the semifinals. The
championship and consolations games will commence at 2:30 pm.
While High Times won the regular-season schedule, losing just once (to
WNYC), Wall St. Journal is the team to beat. Having won the last two
titles, they're aiming to three-peat. WSJ defeated HT in last year's
championship game. The long-time rivals recently played an 11-inning game,
which High Times eventually won 6-5.
Don't count out DC Comics, last year's third-place finisher as well. This
veteran squad defeated WSJ twice last season, but lost to them 11-4 in
their only meeting this season.
Though long-shot Newsweek Daily Beast barely made the playoffs (with three
wins), they could play the spoiler. In their last game against HT,
NewsBeast fell short by a run, 7-6.
An additional angle is new Forbes editor Randall Lane (Forbes is also in
the NYMSL), who will likely pitch for his former team, NewsBeast. Lane
just made the switch from NewsWeek Daily Beast to Forbes, where he started
his publishing (and media softball) career in the '90s.
WHAT: New York Media Softball League Playoffs
WHEN: Sat., Sept. 10, 1-4 pm
WHERE: Heckscher Playground, Central Park, 63rd St. entrance from Westside
For more information, contact NYMSL Commissioner Steve Bloom:
bloom@celebstoner.com
347-267-1658
NYMSL website: http://nymsl.org
Follow the NYMSL at Facebook: http://on.fb.me/jl5LhW
TOMORROW: 5TH ANNUAL NYMSL PLAYOFFS IN CENTRAL PARK
It's a huge weekend in New York with the 9/11 commemoration, but there's
at least one other event worth noting: the New York Media Softball League
playoffs on Saturday.
Starting at 1 pm in Central Park's Heckscher Playground (Fields 1 and 2),
the top four NYMSL teams will face off in a round-robin tournament. It's
#1-seed High Times (9-1) vs. #4-seed Newsweek DailyBeast (3-7) and #2-seed
Wall St. Journal (7-3) vs. #3-seed DC Comics (6-4) in the semifinals. The
championship and consolations games will commence at 2:30 pm.
While High Times won the regular-season schedule, losing just once (to
WNYC), Wall St. Journal is the team to beat. Having won the last two
titles, they're aiming to three-peat. WSJ defeated HT in last year's
championship game. The long-time rivals recently played an 11-inning game,
which High Times eventually won 6-5.
Don't count out DC Comics, last year's third-place finisher as well. This
veteran squad defeated WSJ twice last season, but lost to them 11-4 in
their only meeting this season.
Though long-shot Newsweek Daily Beast barely made the playoffs (with three
wins), they could play the spoiler. In their last game against HT,
NewsBeast fell short by a run, 7-6.
An additional angle is new Forbes editor Randall Lane (Forbes is also in
the NYMSL), who will likely pitch for his former team, NewsBeast. Lane
just made the switch from NewsWeek Daily Beast to Forbes, where he started
his publishing (and media softball) career in the '90s.
WHAT: New York Media Softball League Playoffs
WHEN: Sat., Sept. 10, 1-4 pm
WHERE: Heckscher Playground, Central Park, 63rd St. entrance from Westside
For more information, contact NYMSL Commissioner Steve Bloom:
bloom@celebstoner.com
347-267-1658
NYMSL website: http://nymsl.org
Follow the NYMSL at Facebook: http://on.fb.me/jl5LhW
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