Minors: Fishman Orthodontist Phillies 12 to Solinsky Eye Care Pirates 8
Move over Mariano: 8-year-old Jordan Frankel held the Solinsky Eye Care Pirates scoreless in the final inning with three strikeouts leading the Fishman Orthodontist Phillies to a 12-8 win in their opener Monday at Solomon Schecter Field.
"She threw strikes," said catcher Justin Leopold, who played well behind the plate. The Pirates had taken the lead in the middle innings on line-drive extra-base hits by Alejandro Sical (3 RBIs) and Andrew Hunter. Sophia Cote and Kaitlyn Puleo each scored twice on hits by Aidan Buyak and the Hoskins brothers, Neil and Cameron.
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Opening Day - AAA Mandell JCC Dodgers 10 Fierce and Mighty Cardinals 2
The Cardinals and Dodgers played their opening day game at Kennedy Park in dry but cold conditions. The Dodgers were able to pull away in the last few innings due to some timely hitting and good plate discipline. Both teams displayed strong pitching with the Cardinals pitchers combining for 14 K's in the game and the Dodger pitchers combining for 11 K's. The Dodgers also turned 2 double plays during the game with heads up defense on pop ups. Ziggy S. had the play of the game ranging from SS for a pop up in short left field and making the catch then getting the runner at 3rd base. Ethan M., Quinn L. and Dylan J. were strong on the mound for the Dodgers giving up 1 hit in the game. Cole K. had the lone hit for the Cardinals in the 4th inning. Jackson M. had 2 hits (double, single, 2 RBI) for the Dodgers, Ethan M. had a single and RBI and Gavin B. had a single and run scored.
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Opening Day AAA - College Planning of CT Angels 7 Watkinson School Orioles 5
On a windy and overcast day, the Angels beat the Orioles 7-5 in the season opener for AAA.
The Angels heart of the order came through, as Marley Noll and Jack Kunhly rapped out 3 hits each, while Ryan Lafferty and Eli Wizevich added 2 hits a piece, each including a decisive outfield drive.
The Orioles showed no signs of off-season rust at the plate, led by Connor Olechna’s scorched single and hard drive to left center. Big Ben also added a run scoring triple to right field for the birds.
The Angels got an All-Star effort on the hill from Jack Kunhly, who went 4 innings, striking out 8 batters and allowing only 1 run. Coby Noll shook off an earlier injury to close the game with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
The Orioles got solid book end outings on the mound from the Olechna brothers, as Connor went the first 2 innings (5 K’s) and Gregory pitched the 6th (2 K’s).
The Angels defense stole the show in this one, as catcher Marley Noll threw out 2 runners attempting to steal (great tags by Charlie Krajc and Sam Casey) and caught another trying to score on a passed ball. Add to that a catch in left center of a hard hit ball, and Noll has an early lead in gold glove voting.
Opening Day AAA We Care Computers Braves 7 - Anytime Fitness Twins 5
For many in town, the year begins on opening day. The Braves and the Twins battled it out at Solomon Schechter to start the season. The Braves jumped to a 6-0 lead after two innings behind the golden arm of Marcel Vicente (3 IP, 6 K's), followed by Michael Weiss (2 IP, 4 K's). The Twins came to play and rallied for five runs. After the Braves added an insurance run in the 5th, Joe Dooley closed the door 1-2-3 in the 6th to preserve the win for the Braves.
The Braves offense was led by Justin Dinowitz (1 run, 2 SB), Sean Zeman (1 run, 4 SB), and Cayden Goldberg (1 run, 3 SB). The Twins were powered by James McPhee, with a double and two shutout innings on the hill, Henry Mandell with two hits and textbook plays in the infield, and William Patchen, with two hits and two stolen bases. The Braves and the Twins tip their caps to the game MVP's - The early morning grounds crew who had the field in top shape on a rainy weekend.
Opening Day AAA- Pediatric Dermatology of NE Phillies 17 - Rosenberg Orthodontic Marlins 6
The Phillies and Marlins battled it out for 5 innings on a cold Opening Day. The Phillies scored 17 runs on 16 hits and scored at least one run in every inning. Kevin Brown, James Renda, Will Gaumer, Griffin O'Connell, and Andrew Chang all had multiple hits. Ethan Vest got the win with 3 strong innings on the mound. Andrew Chang pitched 2 scoreless innings to close the game.
The Marlins scored 6 runs on 4 hits. Abraham Dunn, Charlie Trunik, and James Scully (2 hits) all had hits. Abraham Dunn also scored twice. James Scully and Charlie Trunik each had 4 strikeouts on the mound for the Marlins.
AAA - College Planning of CT Angels 9 Key Hyundai of Manchester Pirates 5
The Angels win on back-to-back days, defeating a talented Pirates team 9 to 5 on a beautiful night at UCONN.
The Angels were sparked at the plate by Cyrus Parham and Matt Farber, who both got their first hits of the season..both of which were 2 run singles. Jason Vitelli added a hit and 2 runs scored, and Connor Lafferty tacked on 2 runs scored thanks to some aggressive base running.
The Pirates were in mid-season form at the plate, led by Pat Schwab who went 3 for 3 with a run scored, Brady Dulutski, who had the same line of 3 for 3 with a run, and Avi Goldstein who had 2 hits and a run scored.
The pitching was stellar on both sides, as the Angels were led by Marley Noll dealing for the first 3 innings (3 K’s), Ryan Lafferty adding a scoreless 4th (2 K’s), and Seth “Smoke” Skuba (2IP, K, putout, assist) converting his first save opportunity of the year.
The Pirates were led on the mound by Matt Burnett, who pitched 2+ solid innings, and Mikey Culligan, who struck out the side in the 5th.
The leather was being flashed throughout this contest, as both sides proved practice pays off. The Angels Jack Kuhnly and Sam Casey flawlessly executed a rundown play between 3rd and home, tagging out a sliding Pirate for an out in the 4th. The Angels also converted an astounding 6 popup outs in the game.
AAA We Care Computer Braves 17 - Total Vision EyeCare A's 7
On a Tuesday in late April, 23 ball players showed their commitment to their teams and a love for baseball by playing through a cold and rainy, November-like evening. Cayden Goldberg earned the win for the Braves with his pinpoint control (4 IP, 4 K's). Patrick Kinney made his career pitching debut in high form (1 IP, 3 K's), followed by Rafael Fichandler (1 IP, 1 K). The offense was a team effort for the Braves, led by Joe Dooley (3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI), Michael Weiss (2-2, 3 R, 1 RBI), and Justin Dinowitz (2-2, 3 R, 1 RBI).
The A's pitchers threw heat, with Patrick Sullivan, Mason Arseneault, Edward Salerno, Yafet Mussie, and Joey LaSpada combining for 11 K's. This formidable pitching staff was rewarded with great efforts behind the dish from Tommy LaSpada, Logan Arseneault, and Edward Salerno. Logan Arseneault was 2-2 with 2 runs at the plate, and Joey LaSpada ripped a double and scored 2 runs. A Hall of Fame effort was shown by all of the parents, siblings, and fans, who cheered with unwavering spirit for six innings in less than ideal conditions.
Majors Opening Day: Big Sky Fitness A’s 6 World Series Club Marlins 4
On a cold opening night the Big Sky Fitness A’s defeated the Word Series Club Marlins 6-4
The Marlins jumped out with 2 quick runs in the bottom of the first. With Brendan Marshall (0-3, 2IP, 2k’s) pitching for the A’s, Shaun McNamara (2-3, 1RBI, 1.1IP, 3K’s) singled and stole second and then scored on a single by Carlos Kerrigan-Mock (1-2, 1RBI). Kerrigan-Mock scored on a triple by Max Hassan (1-3). After the A’s went down quietly in the second the Marlins scored another run on a wild pitch to make it 3-0. In the bottom of the 3rd the Marlins extended their lead to 4-0 when Jack Brennan (1-3, 1.2IP, 3K’s) reached on an error and later scored on a double by McNamara.
The A’s bats came to life in the top of the 4th when Alex Ciafone (0-2) reached on an error and advanced to second on a single by Matt Keller (1-2). After both runners advanced on a wild pitch Ryan Druckenmiller (2-3, 2RBI’s, 4IP, 8k’s) doubled to deep centerfield scoring both Ciafone and Keller. Druckenmiller advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a single by Justin Albee (2-2, 2RBI’s). Druckenmiller now pitching for the A’s struck out the side in the bottom of the 4th. The A’s tied the game when Noah Behrens-Gould (0-1) walked and scored on a wild pitch. The A’s then took the lead when Drew Lacasse (0-1) walked and then scored when Greg Katzman (0-3) reached on an error. Druckenmiller again struck out the side in the bottom of the 5th.
The A’s extended their lead to 6-4 when Druckenmiller singled and advanced to second on a passed ball and then scored from second on a single by Albee. The Marlins threatened in the bottom of the 6th but the A’s defense was solid making good defenses plays on a pop up to short and the last out being made on a good fielding stop and put out at first.
MAJORS- Corner Pug Phillies-Stop and Shop Braves 10-6
Even through extra innings, hitters and pitchers gave it their all all the way til the last out. Infield duo Patrick Sullivan and Jason Farrell made the shortstop-first toss look easy as the Braves kept firing grounders in a base by base pitched battle for runs. Keeping the leads to a minimum, pitchers from both sides gave the crowd a respectable throwing game. Phillies' pitcher Luke Gfeller, who not only had four singles in four at bats, but also threw three outs in eight pitches in his second inning. Phillies' Tommy Sullivan also had three up and three down in two of his four innings pitched.
For the Braves, starter John Doar and Evan Smart each pitched two strong innings, surrendering just one run each in their two-inning stints on the mound. Middle-inning reliever Bobby Gerity got his three in ten throws for a perfect 5th.
It was a 10-6 game, so there was much more than just pitching. Both sides participated hard in this hitting clinic. The boys on both sides capitalized on several singles, with a few deep field doubles. But the game ball here goes to Phillies' John Zehr for breaking up the deadlock in the 7th inning with a big double that drove in three runs. It was a good day to play baseball, and the players on both teams showed everyone how it’s done.
Majors: Fast Switch Orioles 15 Primary Eye Care Cardinals 14
On Monday night, the Orioles edged the Cardinals 15-14. The Cardinals were led offensively by Sam Harrington who had a hit and 4 RBIs, Spencer Martindale (single, double, RBI), Sam Wilder (single, 3 RBIs), Sam Giangreco (single, RBI), Jack Newhouse (two singles), Paul Verner (double), and Dylan Mallinson (two singles) They also received solid pitching from Wilder and Mallinson.
The Orioles were led at the plate by Dilon Bent who had 3 singles, 2 RBI, Luis Vargas (single, double), Ryan Howe (single, 2RBI, 3 runs scored), Colin Horan (single, 2 RBI), and Jackson Grady rounded out the offense with an RBI single and a key sacrifice bunt. David Cass pitched well in striking out 3 in 2 -2/3 innings of relief.
