Week 8:
South walked past Mudville, 18-5 as Mudville broke the record for most walks in an HSS game with 15, shattering the old record of 4. This intrepid reporter knew Mudville P Eric Higgins was valuable to his squad but not to this extent. Out for a planned ‘paint-n-sip’ wine night with his new girlfriend, Higgins left the ball in the hands of veteran Errick Spada (3IP, 4H, 6BB, 5ER) but he then left mid-game to head out to join his comrades at the LA protests so, Brian Reed (4IP, 6H, 9BB, 8ER) took over and the results were not “Higgins-esque’. When a strike was eventually thrown, South OF Sean Jacquet (2-2, HR, 2B, 4RBI) pounded it into the Kampersal farm for a 3-r HR. In direct contrast to the Mudville ‘pitching’ situation, South hurler Greg Copeland (7IP, 8H, 3ER) was in control throughout.
Legendary broadcaster, Harry Doyle was in attendance Sunday to witness Mudville ‘history’..
Kingz beat Lions, 16-10 ending the Lions 2-gm winning streak and ruining any hopes they had of topping Kampersal’s record setting 26-gm winning streak. Kingz pounded out 27 hits in this one led by OF Alex Wolf (5-5, 3R, 2RBI) and rookie OF Brian McGee (4-4, 3R, 2RBI). P Pat Snow (7IP. 9H, 4ER) had 6 put-outs in the win and received the prestigious Defensive Chain award postgame. The equally prestigious Offensive Chain went to Wolf. With only 9 players, injured manager, Sean Foley (back) (3-4, 2R, 2RBI) gutted it out behind the plate for the victors with help from some ‘Perc’s’. Lions was led by newlywed 2B LaMont Adams (2-3. 2B, R) who kept his 5-gm hitting streak alive and OF Zach Smith (2-3, HR, 3RBI).
Kingz leader Sean Foley in the locker room pregame doing all he can to take the field.
In the late game, Kampersal took down Braggville, 12-7 thanks to the bat of OF Brad Rowe (3-4, HR, 2B, 4RBI) who belted a 3-run HR in the 3rd to put his squad up 6-3 amd never looked back. Emergency starter, Tom Kampersal (7IP, 9H, 4ER, K) was in command throughout and his pinpoint control appeared to catch Bragville by surprise based on their previous meetings where regular starter, George Jr had some control issues. The younger Kampersal seems to have quickly developed a strong bond with C Brian McShane (2-3, 2R). Think Mirabelli/Wakefield situation here. It will be interestingt to see how their rotation shapes up for the rest of the season. Strong again defensively, Kampersal SS Tim “Ozzy’ Swift (3-3, 2R, RBI) is throwing his hat in the ring for the Defensive Kingz Chain as he made several key defensive play to end multiple Braggville scoring threats.
A defensive wizard on Sunday nights, Swift can also handle all your home-buying needs in the MetroWest area.
Downtown stunned Johnson North, 17-15 despite trialing 13-0 after 2. The comeback began with 5 in the 3rd, 4 in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, and then 6 in the 6th to put them up 2 thanks to a Grand Slam off the bat of 2B Josh Shannon (3-4, GS,2B, 6RBI). 3B Dave Savage (4-4, 2B, 3R, 2RBI) and 1B Todd Kagno (3-4, 2B, 3R, 2RBI) led the middle inning comeback with key hits with RISP. For Johnson, C Ben Swartz (3-4, HR, 2B, 5 RBI) and OF Jared Jordan (3-4, 2B, 3R) led the offense.
Johnson North OF Charles Kerschner (L) sobs with teammates in the dugout Sunday following their loss to Downtown in which they blew a 13-run lead.
Anthony’s East beat DYR, 11-3 behind the bat of OF Ben Pratt (3-4, 2B, 3R, 3RBI) and the arm of P Chris Landers (7IP, 8H, 2ER) who cruised in this one not allowing a runner to reach 3rd after the 4th. This was a pitcher’s duel through 6 as DYR P Justin Lessard (3-3, R, 2RBI & 7IP, 9 H, 6ER) did all he could to keep his team in this one. Down 4-3 headed into the 7th Lessard was victimized by the bottom of the Anthony’s order as they strung together 4 straight hits enroute to a 7-run inning to put this one away. Key play was a 2-out, 3-run double by OF Angelo D’Amato (3-4, 2B, 2R, 3RBI) that stretched the lead to 6. The game took approximately 44 mins.
This photo sums up the DYR offensive performance so far in ’25..
Dalton Rd edged Jasper Rock, 9-7 as OF Mitch Cotto (3-4, 2B, 2RBI) and 3B Jaime Ross (3-4, 2R, 3RBI) sparked the offense. Down 7-3 thanks to Jasper’s Paul Howland (2-3, BB, HR, 2R, 4RBI) 3-run bomb in the 3rd, Cotto had a 2-run double to spark a 3-run inning and Ross’ 2-run single in the 6th capped another 3-run inning to put Dalton up 2. P Chris Munroe (7IP, 8H, 5ER) pitched a 1-2-3 7th to secure the win. Looking to extend their lead in the 4th, P Derek Cordon (1-3, R) crushed one to deep left with 2 on and 2-out that Cotto raced back for and made a remarkable over-the-shoulder catch to end the threat and keep the game in reach for Dalton.
Cotto’s great catch to rob Jasper’s Derek Cordon of extra bases.
The Hood doubled up Brentwood, 12-6 as DH Colin Fields (pulled hamstring, 3-3, 2R, RBI) and 3B Tony Porciello (3-4, 2B, 2RBI) ignited an offense that put up 6 in the first and never looked back. C Glenn Wegrzyn (3-3, 2R, RBI) continued his hot streak while the pitching duo of Shawn Peters and Alan ‘Helen’ Keller kept Brentwood off the scoreboard in the 6th and 7th to secure the win. Some controversy here as word spread that Peters had pitched earlier in the week at Fenway Park. This would violate his amateur status thus making him ineligible for HSS. Brentwood has filed a protest and is awaiting a ruling from the league office.
This does appear to be Peters pitching at Fenway Park.
GAME OF THE WEEK for Wk 8 (6/14/25))
Braggville (4-3) vs. Dalton Rd (5-2) at High School @ 6pm
- A lot at stake for B’ville here as they try to avoid a .500 finish for the first time since the Carter Administration.
- Dalton barely escaped their ‘trap’ game vs Jasper so; can they turn it back on for this match up with huge ‘A’ playoff implications?
*Prediction: Dalton Rd 11 Braggville 9
(My Record: 6-1)
