MCSN: August 21st

That's Offensive

Week 11 Recap

Tue, August 21, 2007

Covenant's Lauren Zuperku rips one

The Billboard Top 40 never had as many hits as there were Saturday at Clarendon Park during "Rivalry Week, Part Deux".

The combined runs scored for all the Week 11 games of 89 easily shattered the previous league-high of 75 runs scored during Week 8.

The YMYF Defenders started the scoring at 8 AM, coasting past the YMYF Mustard Seeds 23-0. The 23 runs set a new league record for most runs scored by a team in a game, besting Rock Salt's 21 runs in Week 8.

"It really wasn't a fair game," said Defenders manager Rob Tong. "We had almost a full squad while the Seeds only had 8 players. Where was [starting Seeds pitcher] Mat Smith? Well, looks like somebody is preparing for the YMYF Fantasy Football draft a wee bit too early."

The Defenders' Brian Stolzenbach hit two home runs, including one over the fence, in front of his twin kids, who were at the park for the first time. [Cue the group 'Awwwwww...'] Stolzenbach is now the 15th different person to launch a home run over the fence, and the 6th different Defender to have hit at least one over the fence.

Tong also added an unconventional home run, giving him six on the season...good for third place overall in the league in home runs. Tong avoided the tag of substitute catcher Sam Baturoni and scampered home.

The Defenders swept the season series and are now 8-2-1 while the Mustard Seeds dropped to 3-8.

The Game of the Week was the 9 AM slugfest between Crossroads and Covenant. Whoever said one individual can't take over a game in baseball must not have seen Michael Thate play. In the end, Thate single-handedly carried Crossroads to a mild upset over Covenant in a 19-14 slugfest.

The reigning MVP re-asserted himself as the frontrunner candidate for MVP this season, as he smacked a league-record three home runs in the contest, including two over the fence. Thate is now the second person in league history to hit two over the fence in the same game, joining Rock Salt's Paul Petschelt. In addition, Thate is the first person in league history to hit four home runs out of the park in one season. Even more impressive than the home run display was Thate's league-record nine RBIs.

No truth to the rumor that Thate is unhappy with not getting a fat contract extension by Crossroads GM Andy Linquist. Risky gamble by Linquist because with Thate's explosive stats, figure Thate to get a lot of lovin' in the free agent market after the season. With that prospect hanging over Linquist's head, no wonder no one has seen him at the games for weeks!

Luke Mason, future MCSN player Thate, however, wouldn't take any credit for leading the team to victory.

"Kudos go to Jill Tuinier for her admirable pitching performance against the big hitters of Covenant," he said. "She’s had to pitch the last two games and has been a big part of our recent success. The difference in the game, however, was in our one and two hitters: Adam “Spanky” Tippery and Tyler McElhaney, respectively. They were a combined 6-6 with eight runs scored."

Thate now leads the league with 10 home runs on the season, surpassing Saltier's Bill Van Tuinen who is still stuck at 9 due to his oblique injury. Some say Van Tuinen's chances of winning league MVP over Thate are now slim and none, with Slim hanging around the exit. However, don't count out the magical power of commissioner kickbacks.

In case you're wondering, Covenant manager Chris Carter could not be reached for comment. You jab him a little for his team's success in his absence and he goes on media strike. Go figure.

Anyway, the game went back and forth like a sumo match between Mark Pirrie and Bill Bertsche. Covenant scored two runs in the top of the first inning, but Crossroads matched them. In the 2nd inning, Covenant put up a 5-spot, but Crossroads matched them again. Covenant added two more runs in the 3rd inning, but Crossroads matched them yet again. But with the game tied, Crossroads proceeded to outscore Covenant 10-0 in the 4th and 5th innings to ice the game. Covenant added four runs in the top of the 6th inning but it was not nearly enough.

"All in all, it was a splendid team effort," Thate said. "Everyone either scored or knocked in a run, and we hit .692 as a team, breaking the Mustard Seeds’ record from week two (.658)."

With the win, Crossroads evened the season series with Covenant. Covenant fell to 5-4-2 while Crossroads improved to 6-5.

In the 10 AM game, In Focus Classic avenged an earlier season loss to the In Focus Cowboys. Classic won this one 12-6.

"It was a really good game," said Classic manager Anne Marie Misovich. "We ended up having only 9 players, but I think that gave my players a certain edginess...as if we're not edgy enough to begin with...."

Classic drew first blood with two runs in the 1st inning but the Cowboys scored three runs to take the lead after one. This even with the Cowboys' Tony "Bald Thate" Matoian striking out swinging.

"In the first inning, Gary Lockwood struck Tony Matoian out swinging," Misovich recalled. "I was kind of like, 'Huh? What was THAT?' He must've not gotten enough sleep the night before. Guys of his caliber don't just strike out swinging. But Gary IS a really good and consistent pitcher."

Classic, however, took control with a 5-spot in the 2nd inning and another in the 5th inning. Meanwhile, Classic played lockdown defense on the Cowboys, allowing only three runs the rest of the game.

"It was such a fun game," Misovich said. "I think everyone on both teams was really relaxed. I kind of felt like we were at the church picnic playing a casual game of softball. I wish we'd have another chance to play them this season."

The two In Focus teams really enjoyed their two Rivalry matchups.

"Phil Nelson, that cowboy, is somethin'," Misovich said. "He provided a sure glove at 1st base AND drove in 4 RBIs, the whole time keepin' the banter goin' on the field for all lis'nin' ears to hear. Cowboy Phil and his Cowgirl Pat sure do know how to make the game a whole lot more fun. Good strategy, y'all!"

For the Cowboys, Phil Nelson's 4 RBIs tied him for the team lead with Brian Peterson and Matoian.

Classic's Peter Moy, Anne Marie Misovich, Tim Tunney and Ellie Manabat cheer
on their team Classic's Brad Hansen led the team with 4 RBIs while Tim Tunney added 3 RBIs and team RBI leader Promod Joseph chipped in with 2 more RBIs. Classic won despite a makeshift defense.

"A little drama occurred after Aleris Fraats caught a fly off the bat of Tony Matoian way out in left up against the fence," Misovich said. "She was having way too much fun out there in left filling in for Alex Bridges. Well, Cowboys didn't think it was that fun. She is eager to get back out in left field again soon to do some more damage to our opponents. And she always does it with such finesse. She has really perfected the art :)"

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Classic, who is now 3-7-1. The Cowboys fell to 2-9 and have clinched the #8 seed.

The 11 AM game saw Rock Salt beat Saltier 13-4. Earlier in the season, this would've been Goliath vs Goliath. On Saturday, it was Goliath vs David. And this time, Goliath stomped David.

"Saltier has been plagued with injuries and players moving out of town," said Rock Salt manager Tim Kurtz. "With [Saltier manager] Bill [Van Tuinen] at the helm, some claim it's just rats fleeing a sinking ship! I say they're making the best of a bad situation."

Saltier actually was tied with Rock Salt heading into the bottom of the 3rd inning, when Rock Salt scored six runs. That would be all the runs they'd need.

"We were able to hang with Rock Salt for a few innings, but their big bats were too much for us," said Van Tuinen. "Also, I think [Rock Salt manager] Tim [Kurtz] clearly out-managed me by using his macho headgames."

Saltier punched out 14 hits but stranded 10 runners, including the bases loaded in the first inning and seven runners in the first three innings. Though Van Tuinen played the field, the team played without him in the lineup, as he nursed his injury.

"Despite being short many players, we took Saltier very seriously," Kurtz said. "In fact, I attempted to disable Obed Velazquez with a ball to his head. Sure, some would call that dirty ball, but I call it good playoff preparation."

"The injury bug nearly got us again when Obed was hit in the head with a throw, but luckily he was able to return to the game," Van Tuinen said.

Saltier pitcher Sam Baturoni almost weaved his magic once again. Facing the quartet of Rock Salt heavy hitters in Brian White, Ryan Varney, Eric Liu, and Paul Petschelt, Baturoni only yielded one home run over the fence (to Varney). Nevertheless, Varney's shot means every starting pitcher in the league has now surrendered at least one home run out of the park.

Varney now joins Van Tuinen with three over-the-fence home runs this season.

“I'm very proud of our humility and enjoy pointing this out to the other teams as often as I can.”

- Rock Salt's Tim Kurtz

Rock Salt clinched first place and the #1 seed in the playoffs with the win, improving to 10-1. Saltier's losing streak extended to 5 games and dropped them to 5-6, the first time they have been under .500 all season.

This Saturday will settle playoff positioning.

The 8 AM game features Saltier at Covenant. The last time these teams faced each other, Saltier escaped
with an 11-9 victory back in Week 3. These are the playoff implications:

If Saltier beats Covenant, they would need help from the Defenders.

If the Defenders beat Crossroads, Saltier gets the #3 seed and Covenant gets #4 seed
If Crossroads beats the Defenders, Saltier gets the #4 seed and Covenant gets the #5 seed.

But if Covenant beats Saltier, Covenant clinches the #3 seed and Saltier drops to the #5 seed, regardless of the Crossroads-Defenders game.

"Covenant has been red-hot lately, although Crossroads did 'Thate them out to the woodshed' Saturday," Van Tuinen said. "The key to the game will be their dynamic duo of Shannon Carter and Lauren Zuperku, both of whom are coming to the end of extended summer breaks, so they won't have all week to prepare for softball by frolicking in parks and meeting for coffee. I know Shannon has been receiving some "hands-on" training during the season and it has really improved her batting. It will also be a pleasure to share the field with Mark Pirrie and Bill Bertsche, two truly devoted servants of the Old Country Buffet. I'm hoping Pastor Bill will continue with my treatments this week despite our looming clash, although he did say at this point in the process we needed to switch from hot oil to beef gravy. Again, he's the expert so I don't ask too many questions. I'm not sure my oblique is getting any better, but I've never felt like more of a man."

At 9 AM, the In Focus Cowboys face Rock Salt. The game has no significance to either team. Actually, it's a preview of their first-round playoff tilt on September 8th. You can bet the Cowboys will bring out scouts, videocameras, spies, and everything short of Jason Bourne to get good intel on Rock Salt, while saving their secret strategies for the playoffs.

OK...maybe not.

"We look forward to playing the Cowboys next week," Kurtz said. "While we are heavily favored, we are still approaching this game with great humility. I'm very proud of our humility and enjoy pointing this out to the other teams as often as I can."

A highly intriguing game awaits at 10 AM where the YMYF Mustard Seeds challenge In Focus Classic. The winner of this game gets the #6 seed and avoids a first-round matchup with the YMYF Defenders.

In their last meeting back in Week 4, the Seeds pounded out 22 hits en route to a 10-4 win over Classic.

"I am looking forward to it," said Misovich of the rematch. "It promises to be an interesting game. I think our two teams have more of a serious demeanor, and I am quite comfortable with that. Last time we met, that was the third game of the season. I am interested to see how our teams have grown and matured since then."

And the 11 AM game showcases Crossroads against the YMYF Defenders.

The game has no significance for the Defenders except for one small detail.

"When Thate puts on the red 'S' on his shirt and starts launching missiles all over the field and out of the field, I call that getting 'Thatered', as in 'mash pa-tatered', Tong said. "I hope our team doesn't get 'Thatered'"

With a win, Crossroads would need help to get the #3 seed. If Saltier beats Covenant, then Crossroads is the #3 seed. But if Covenant beats Saltier, Crossroads drops to a #4 seed.

"For next week, I'm hoping that the Defenders are resting their starters in preparation for the playoffs so we can get a win and I also hope we get some help from Saltier by having them beat Covenant," said Halpin. "I think, if my CPA skills are working, it will allow us to be the third seed for the play-offs. We are going to take this game very serious and try and get revenge for our one-run loss back on June 23rd."

Thate added, "We are hoping to avenge our week three loss to the Defenders, but it sure won’t be easy. They are the best hitting team in the league right now: they bat .528 as a team, score the most runs (140), and have hit a league high 22 home runs. Hopefully we can keep pace with their big boys."