Hey, we got two straight weeks of softball in this half of the season. Sure it was like playing inside of a dog’s mouth out there but it’s better than sitting at home on Wednesday, right?
Let’s get to the action.
On Field one we had Team Groh vs. Team Stu
Stu for the winners:
No Stu, no problem for Team Solomon – who made it five straight wins Wednesday in an 11-10 nail-biter over Team Groh on Field 1.
Dan “Spuds” McGrath filled in on the mound, where he overcame a shaky start before settling in and throwing his best stuff. Back-to-back second inning homers from Chris Von Holle and Bryce Anslinger put Groh in front 3-0 and powered them to a 5-2 lead after three. Then our offense woke up.
We plated four runs in the fourth inning and five in the fifth thanks to clutch hitting and aggressive base-running up and down our lineup. Cam “Diaz” Kirzner, Steven “Seagal” Shapiro, William “H. Macy” Coleman and Alex “Trebek” Kraus each finished with multiple hits and two runs apiece.
Down 11-7 entering the bottom of the seventh, Groh knocked in three but left the tying run stranded on the bases as our defense stepped up to make the final outs of the game.
Next week, Team Solomon resumes its June 18 showdown on Field 2 with Simons while Groh gets Wagner on Field 3.
On Field 2 it was Team Grefer vs. Team Brafman
Marc for the winners:
In a tight game Team Brafman walked it off with a thrilling 8-7 win over the battling Team Grefer. Team Brafman was led by Rabbi Yitz who tomahawked a homer early in the game and super sub Michael Askin who went 4-5. Leading 6-2 going into the top of the 7th, Grefer battled back with something like 5 straight two-out hits to take the lead. A huge triple by Kyle Grefer just off the glove of Rabbi Yitz tied the game and Mike Gray’s single got Grefer the lead. After two quick outs in the bottom of the 7th Askin got on base and was driven in by Mike “The Special One” Rothstein who had a fine game in the field and the plate. Next, Zach Mayer hit a rocket to RF and Rothstein was able to score from first to seal the win. Not to be overlooked a great fielding game by Corey Meyers in LF and all of Team Brafman who again shows that fielding the ball leads to wins. “As has been the case all season, this was a total team win,” Brafman said post game. Everyone on the team did their part to help us get this important win.
Next week Team Brafman looks to stay on the winning track by taking on Team AJ.
On field 3 it was Team Wagner took on Team AJ
AJ for the winners:
Another big win for the Goons last night as we took out Team Wagner 18-2 in 5 innings.
This was a true team effort as everyone contributed on offense and on defense. The biggest shout outs go to Ian Segall who had 3 hits including a homer over the fence, Jamey Drennan who had 4 hits, 3 RBI and dominated on the mound, Griffin Harris who had 3 hits including an inside the park homer, and Super Sub Anthony Skrapits who had 3 hits and 5 RBIs.
We hope to keep it rolling next week as we make up our game against Team Brafman.
Finally on field 4 Team Wolf Took on Team Fogel
Wes for the winners:
Team Wolf returned to its winning ways against Team Fogel in a true JCC barnburner, outlasting them 18-15.
After Team Wolf plated 2 in the first inning, Fogel jumped out to an early lead with 6 in their half. The teams then switched places and found themselves tied 8-8 after two. Team Wolf capitalized on a gapper by Drew “Fart” Hart that fell on the warning track beyond the outstretched glove of platinum glover Jeremy Fogel.
In the next inning, Team Wolf was up one with two on and Wes Wolf at the plate when one of the more unusual plays happened. Wes shot one through the RF/RCF gap, and ended up right behind the runner from first base as he was rounding third. Brad Gallop took the cutoff at second base and delivered a perfect throw to ageless catcher Keith Kombrink, who tagged out the Team Wolf runner with Wes close behind. Wes avoided the tag and slid in safe at home, capping off the only fielder’s choice home run this league has seen in a while.
Team Wolf plated four total in the third and continued scoring in each inning of the game. Stand in pitcher, Scottie “quit booing Halloween’s in October” Wolf capped off the night on the mound by shutting down team Fogel in the sixth and seventh to earn the win.
League Notes
A big shout out to two of our captains who are getting busy on and off the field. Wes (and Haley) and AJ (and Olivia) who are both expecting future JCC softball players. Congrats guys, that is really exciting news.
Birthdays this week all softball alumni.
JZ
Ben Sandor
Tait Cunningham
The Oy Vey 5K is Nov. 9. Please mark it down.
And Jewish night at FCC is next Sunday night.
Last week I mentioned that my daughter Maya was playing in the Maccabi games in Tucson. (She got a bronze in mixed doubles tennis) and while I am sure that she will have life long memories it will pale in comparison to what Howie did back in the 60’s. He was in Brazil playing basketball for Team USA or Team Cincy when the swimming coach asked if anyone could help out the relay team since they were down a member. Howie, who swam at the old JCC in high school said sure I can help. Little did he know that on his relay team would be Mark Spitz (for you young guys, look him up). Needless to say they won all of their relays and Howie even got a piece of Spitz mustache to take home as a keepsake.
With the baseball HOF induction last week I forgot to mention the Dave “The Cobra” Parker story that relates to softball. I might be off a little on the story but the version I have heard is that when he retired from baseball he was asked to join the league. He showed up to play with metal spikes and when he was informed that he couldn’t wear them packed up his gear and walked off never to be seen again on the fields of the JCC. My Dave Parker JCC Story is that I was the head of the JCC sports camp and Dave Parker II (who gave a great speech on Sunday) was a camper. Imagine a big black kid towering over all the little Jewish kids and you get the idea of what type of athlete he was. It was very cool when Dave came and talked to the camp one day during our baseball week.
I’m happy to get on my soap box on the Reds if you want to ask me in person. But since they seem ok with being OK then I guess we have to live with it. Did they get better the last 24 hours. Yes, I think they did. But since we don’t play baseball in a vacuum the Pads, Mets, Phillies all also got better. I wish I had the job security that Nick Krall has. Be lousy at my job, never do anything to make the product better and still be employed. Last night’s Reds game was made special by the fact that Jacob and I saw two people wearing Nick Senzel and Stewie Fairchild jerseys. Why in God’s name would anyone want a Fairchild jersey?
I’m glad the Bengals got the first round guy in and now Trey is back at camp since I guess losing 250,000 for sitting out isn’t the best strategy if you are trying to MORE money. Wake me when the season starts.
Dee, Roger, Jacob and I were talking post game about the amazing amount of Elly bobbleheads and how the Reds need to be creative moving forward. I know I’ve mentioned this in the past but instead of the 10th Elly, won’t you want Eddie Milner, Gary Redus or even the aforementioned Stewie Fairchild? Call it Reds Bums of the Past series. Fans could vote on it. Roger would make a lot of money and we won’t get a 10th Elly.
See everyone next week.