By Dave Hoffenberg
The Phat Italian and STF ended the regular season against each other and started the playoffs versus each other, too. The Phat won the more important game, which was the playoff game. The first game was a good defensive battle on both sides. STF started the scoring with two runs in the first. The Phat tied got two in the bottom of the second to tie the game. Things stayed that way until the 5th when STF exploded for four runs to break the tie 6-2. Matt “Ajax” Anderson got on base and was driven home by a RBI liner from Ian Waye to make it a 6-3 deficit. The Phat played solid “D” in the top of the seventh, shutting down STF 1-2-3. They had a great chance to win it in the bottom as they loaded the bases but also added two outs. They still liked their chances because power hitter Daniel “CJ” Muller came to the plate. Unfortunately, he hit a warning track fly ball to end the game.
The Phat got payback and sent STF to the Loser’s Bracket with a 9-3 win first round playoff win. This game was all Phat with lots of hits and great defense, too. Pitcher Matt “Ajax”Anderson was “En Fuego” from start to finish. STF mounted a little rally in the seventh with a couple runs but it was too little, too late. The Phat’s Isaiah was two for two with two runs scored.
The Vermonsters could not do what either of those teams did as they ended the regular season with a loss and started the playoffs with one, too. Last week they faced the Heavy Italians and it was a high scoring affair. Team Ace Rollie was out sick and it showed as the number two Jeremy could not get the job done. Ranberg rejoined his old team, the Vermonsters, and hoped to provide them with a spark. Although he did a decent job, he did not start out strong. Captain Craig led off with a grounder to Ranberg who jelly fished a little bit and Craig was able to reach base safely. He started off the scoring too. The Heavy Italians brought in the big guns for this game and were able to have Jimmy the Ump play, in only his second game in two years. Jimmy had the biggest play of the game as he robbed Big Shawn of a home run. He shocked the fans with a leaping grab to catch the ball as he fell over the fence for the big out. The catch is in the running for “Web Gem of the Year.”
That fired up the team and in their next ups they were able to break the tie with a five run inning for the14-9 win.
The Vermonsters attended a party in their next game, but it was no fun because was a hitting party by McGrath’s Irish Pub. This game was all McGrath’s as they rolled to a 14-2 win. The Vermonsters scored off a solo blast from Big Shawn in the second inning, which wasn’t scored until the fourth inning. Tweed Bus Bob gets the assist on the home run and Jimmy the Ump gets the “Huh?” play as he tried to play the game backwards like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. Trey had a RBI single to score Jason later on but that’s all the Vermonsters could muster. McGrath’s Coach Jamie was on fire hitting the ball. Pitcher Bob Pauly threw a great game and deserves the most credit. McGrath’s whole team pitched in on the win, hitting with championship potential.
Clearly Moguls ended the season hot on a nine game win streak playing flawless ball but started the playoffs cold and error prone. The Phat Italian got their first win over C.M. in over three years and it couldn’t have come at a better time as they knocked off the number one seed for a big upset win 14-4. C.M. had high hopes as Ronzoni pitched a “Cold Beer K” to Coach Craig to start the game. It was an ugly rest of the inning as C.M. committed four straight errors to make it five in the inning, leading to a 4-0 Phat lead. C.M. managed a few hits but could not get anyone home. The second inning was more of the same. The Phat got big hits and C.M. committed big errors.
One of those big hits was by Ranberg as he burned Angel with a shot over his head. The Phat was beginning to run away with this one as they stretched their lead 9-0. C.M. finally got a run in the second as Ronzoni drove in Brain Peters. C.M. finally had an error free inning in the fourth but the Phat got the hits and earned these four runs to make it 13-1. Brain had a “Nice looking Sac” to score Bubba for only a 13-2 deficit. Ronzoni had Coach Craig’s number as he got him for “CBK” number two in the fifth. C.M. got a couple more runs but credit Ajax Anderson who pitched a gem limiting them to single digit hits. It was solid team effort in the win and both Ian and Chris were three for four. When C.M. wasn’t committing errors, they played some good “D” turning three double plays. One of those a rare one when Brain Peters caught a fly ball in right and threw out the runner at second.
The playoffs are starting off as upset central with both the number one and two seeds going to the Loser’s Bracket. The Vermonsters will be facing STF next in an elimination game. The Phat will face the defending champion McGrath’s and the winner will punch their ticket to the championship game.
SCHEDULE
Monday, August 4
Loser’s Bracket Quarter-Final Elimination Game (Clearly Moguls vs Vermonsters/STF) @ Killington 5:50 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket Semi-Final Elimination Game (5:50 p.m. Winner vs McGrath’s/Phat Italian @ Killington 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 6
Best of Three Championship 5:50 p.m. and 7 p.m.
