In the final non-league game of the summer, the DC Bullets ran their record against teams outside the New York Media Softball League to a whopping 13-2. Their lackluster 2-6 record in the NYMSL isn't quite as inspiring, but with two games left, a small playoff window remains. For now, though, we'll celebrate Thursday night's 11-4 win over Chartbeat on North Meadow #2.
Short-handed, Chartbeat borrowed a few DC fielders defensively, but stuck to a seven to eight-person line-up (one person arrived late), which meant that their good bats got to the plate more often. They struck quickly in the first for a run, and they (aided by Larry Ganem's pitching, as the Bullets' ace took the mound for both teams!) turned DC away in the bottom half - with only Vince Letterio reaching base on a one-out single.
However, DC stepped up defensively in the middle innings, holding Chartbeat scoreless in the second through fifth innings, with Pat Braseau taking over on the mound in the fifth for DC. Meantime, in the bottom of the second, DC took the lead. Christine Napolitano and Nel Yomtov led off with singles, and after Blake Kobashigawa grounded into a fielder's choice, Sal Cipriano launched a two-run triple over the centerfielder's head. The Bullets' couldn't get Sal home, however, as Allison Klein lined to shortstop and Danielle Yannetta grounded to second base.
Larry Ganen singled with out away in the third, moved to third on Andrew Arnold's double to left field and scored when Dan Bertoldi lifted a sacrifice fly to shallow left, adding one insurance run. Kevin Schwoer made his 2012 pitching debut during this half inning for Chartbeat.
In the fourth, Neil Hiremath beat out a two-out infield single (Larry perhaps was a little too lacksadasical coming off the mound to field that one!). Mike Lorah lined a bullet to center, and then CNap and Nel each added an RBI single to cap a nice two-out, nobody-on rally. The Bullets went quietly in the fifth, however, as Sal popped out to short, Allie grounded to second and Danielle lined to short.
Chartbeat finally broke through against Pat in the sixth - tallying three runs and cutting DC's lead to 5-4. However, with Larry due up in the bottom half, professional meatball hurler Mike took over on the mound for Chartbeat and the Bullets erupted for six insurance runs. After John Choi flew out to center, Larry sliced a triple down the left field line and scored when the throw to third went wild. (Note: Larry really wants credit for a home run, so congratulate him on hitting one when you see him.) Andrew and Dan singled. After Pat lined to right for the second out, Kevin banged an RBI double into the left center gap and Vince followed suit with a two-run triple. Neil's infield base hit added a fifth run, and Neil moved up to second on the shortstop's overthrow, setting up Mike's (now batting against Larry) inning-topping RBI single.
After a scoreless top seven, with time remaining on the permit, both teams opted for another inning - Blake picked up a single in the seventh for DC, but was left stranded. Chartbeat again went scoreless in top eight, and then asked DC if we'd bat bottom eight so they could have some extra fielding chances. They made the most of those oppotunities - after Danielle and John singled, Larry lined into a double play and Andrew fouled out to end the game.
15-8 (2-6 NYMSL), the Bullets battle Forbes (4-5 NYMSL) next Thursday on North Meadow #2.
Bullet Box:
LF/1B Kevin Schwoer - 1-3, R, RBI, double
LF/C Vince Letterio - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, triple
CF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, 2 R, RBI
3B/LF Mike Lorah - 2-3, R, RBI
SCF Christine Napolitano - 2-3, R, RBI
SS/2B Nel Yomtov - 2-3, RBI
3B/2B Blake Kobashigawa - 1-3, R
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-3, 2 RBI, triple
2B Allison Klein - 0-3
C Danielle Yannetta - 1-3
SS John Choi - 1-3
P Larry Ganem - 2-3, 2 R, triple
LF/SS Andrew Arnold - 1-3, R
RF/C Dan Bertoldi - 1-1, R, RBI, sac fly
RF/P Pat Brosseau - 0-2
Game Notes: Thursday's game featured the first-ever names-drawn-from-a-hat Bullets line-up, and it worked just fine. Some of the defensive positions in the box may be off - lots of players were shuffling late in this game. Also, some props to Danielle for coming back into the game after being literally run over by a Chartbeat baserunner in the third inning.
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