B North Playoffs 6/23
The weather was warm, the grass green, the Lukens bathrooms 2nd to none… looks like playoff softball. Game 1: Yankee Clippers (5) v Balls Deep (4)
The Clips hammer the ball right out of the gate scoring 2 runs on 3 singles by the top of the order. Returning fire, Ballz Deep used a combination of singles, a double from Jake Habor, triples from Justin Glennon and Carmen Brancato and a homer from Jacob McDevitt to blow open the game plating 12. Singles and a triple from Andrew Hesdon got the Clips back on the board in the 2nd as they score 3 more. In the bottom half of the 2nd, Ballz Deep is able to push across another run via 3 singles. The Clips continued their scoring pace, scoring 4, as they bat for a team cycle, Kai Browner contributing the double, John Bennett the triple and Rob Shuck the homer. Ballz Deep answered with the harder two as Jason Falcone tripled and Tom Campbell homered as they answer with 3 runs. In the 5th inning the Clips plated two on doubles from Brian McGuire and Nick Wasekanes, but in the bottom half of the inning, Ballz Deep would once again bat around, scoring 7 runs as they kock around 7 singles and 5 walks to put a bow tie on this one 26 to 13.
Game 2: Dark Horse (6) v. Misfits (3)
After a slow start to this one, Dark Horse takes a lead in the top of the 3rd and the top of the 4th inning, scoring a run via back to back doubles from Paul Ferruzzi Jr, and Paul Harding in the 3rd and a sac fly from Richie Sims in the 4th. In the bottom of the 4th, the Misfits behave badly, scoring 7 runs as they bat around with 7 singles, an error and a double from smokin’ Joe Torres. Smokin’ Joe would also do damage in the 5th inning as he smacked a two run homer. An Alex Amador sac fly cuts the deficit for Dark Horse in the 6th inning, and they would plate 4 additional runs in the 7th as singles and a Ryan Schock double did the damage. The Misfits however would close their scoring in the bottom of the 6th as a Rico Jones double and singles push across two more runs, creating enough distance to give the Misfits a cosy 11-7 win.
Game 3: Ballz Deep (4) v Insurance Runs (1)
The Insurance Runs got on the board first in semifinal one as they plate 4 in the bottom of the 1st via walks, a single and doubles from Dan Miller and Matt Hickey. Ballz Deep cut the deficit to one in the 2nd inning as they score 3 of their own by way of singles an error and a Carmen Brancato two bagger. Singles and an error would extend the Runs lead in the bottom half of the inning as they score two to go up 6-3. Both the 3rd and 4th innings belonged to the Insurance Runs as they would plate 5 in each. In the 3rd they used 5 singles and a 3 run bomb from Matt Freedman to do the damage. Following that up they would hammer home their runs in the 4th inning by way of a double from Matt Hickey, a triple from Seth Mattleman, and homers from proud father Shane Hanna and Rick Leonetti. An error would get Ballz Deep back in the scoring column in the 5th inning and they would fight back, scoring 2 more runs in the 6th inning, but that would be all they are able to muster in this one. Insurance Runs heads to the championship a 16-6 winner.
Game 4: Misfits (3) v One Hit Wonders (2)
The Misfits strike first, plating 3 in the top of the 1st via 3 singles to take an early lead. A walk and a single would cut the deficit for the Wonders in the bottom half of the inning. 3 more singles would erase that run as the Misfits regain their 3 run lead in the 2nd. Josh Parker said “I’ll do one too” as he reaches on a fielder’s choice and cuts the deficit for the Wonders back to two in the bottom half of the inning. The 3rd and 4th innings went the way of the Wonders are they are able to plate 4 in the 3rd on a three singles, a double from Andy Springer, and a triple from Jesse Grasso. In the 4th inning they are able to rally for 7 more runs on 6 singles and a Rob Gisordi double. PLOT TWIST: the 5th, 6th and 7th innings all went the way of the Misfits. 3 singles plate 2 for the Misfits in the 5th, seven singles, 2 sac fly’s and a Zach Downs double plate 6 and four more singles plate the game tying run in the 7th to knot the score and take this one to extras. In the top of the 8th the Misfits would continue to score as they plate 2 by way of an extra runner and a Chris Quinn triple. In a score two or go home scenario, the One Hit Wonders proved to be wonderful, as a fielder’s choice and three singles plate the necessary 3 runs, propelling them to another championship appearance 16-15!
Good luck next week to the Insurance Runs and the One Hit Wonders, in a 1 versus 2 matchup.