A
Ironbirds v. Express – In a remarkable turn around, the Ironbirds have won their last five games. After a tough loss to the Express earlier in the season, the Ironbirds won the rematch on Saturday, May 19. The Ironbirds’ lead off hitter Michael Giannelli, who went three for three on the day, started a five-run effort in the firstt inning, with support from fellow sluggers Christian Williams and Malcom Hanks, who also went three for three. Williams also made a dynamic double play in the third, catching a pop fly and tagging the runner out trying to get back to first base. John Flemming contributed three hits and had a stellar performance catching the final inning.
Red Wings v. Muck Dogs — Buoyed by Caleb Sedmak’s four hits and three runs, the Red Wings (8-0) emerged after four innings with a 16-6 win over the Muck Dogs on May 14. Muck Dogs slugger Georgie Maya’s double in the third inning touched off a rally that produced two runs before it was cut short by a force out at third by Red Wings third baseman Te’a Langlois.
Mudcats v. Bees — In a closely fought game, the Bee’s edged Mudcats 6-5, led by Michael Parella’s double that brought in two runs to cinch the game. Dylan Gillespie had an RBI for the Bee’s. Evan Rusk, Patrick Marsh and Clarke VandMeulebroeck contributed stellar plays on defense for the Bee’s.
AA
Sidewinders v. Sand Gnats — On Thursday, May 17, behind pitching from Wesley Quill, Pat Lethbridge and George Castillo, the AA Sidewinders won a close game, 12-6 against the Sand Gnats at Idylwood 2. Tyler Taylor had a strong game at the plate reaching base on all three plate appearances. For the Sand Gnats, Frank Williamson struck out five and Jackson Jost hit a double.
Sidewinders v. AquaSox — On Saturday, May 19, the Sidewinders continued their winning ways with a late inning 12-2 victory over the AquaSox at Jefferson Village. The game began with a pitchers’ duel between Casey Lauer for the Sidewinders and Dean Kern for the AquaSox, leaving the game as a 1-1 tie after three innings. In the late innings, powered by the strong hitting of Peter Byman, Anna Connole and Jack Rasmussen, the Sidewinders were able to secure the win.
Lugnuts v. Sand Gnats — On Saturday, May 19, the Lugnuts beat the Sand Gnats 15-8. The Lugnuts’ defense held the Sand Gnats early with strong pitching by Grant Goodwin. After a third inning rally, Lugnuts’ pitching "closer" Michael Maggio kept the game out of reach with his fast ball. On offense, Jessica Manning and Davis Hagigh each contributed two hits. For the Sand Gnats, Annie Ferguson struck out two and Carter May struck out one and got a hit.
MAJORS
Cubs v. Red Sox — On Monday, May 14, the Cubs and Red Sox battled for five innings in a tight pitchers’ duel as both Richard Marsh of the Sox and Mimi Azor of the Cubs allowed only two runs a piece going into the fifth inning. Marsh led the way offensively for the Red Sox, with an RBI double in the second scoring Vincent Tramonte from second base. The Red Sox threatened in the bottom of the 6th with a deep, RBI-double by Brian Chegini, but Kokoa Yamaguchi was able to halt the rally with two strikeouts in the inning as the Cubs pulled it out by a final of 7-3. The Cubs broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth with singles from Will Iacobucci, Austen Adcock, Mimi Azor, Joseph Platero and a two-run double by Yamaguchi. Adcock led the Cubs defensively as well, making several key plays in the field including a great catch of a short pop up despite a hard collision with another Cub.
Orioles v. Mason District Pirates — The Orioles pounded out 14 hits and received five innings of one hit pitching from Mitch MacKeith to defeat the Mason District Little League Pirates 15-0 in an inter league match up on Saturday, May 19. MacKeith struck out 11 and issued no walks in five innings of work. Michael Barnes pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the Orioles, striking out two.
Eight Orioles batters contributed hits, including a home run by MacKeith and doubles by Barnes and Alex Handley. Handley also had two singles as he went three for four at the plate. Orioles catcher Conor Boyle also went three for four, with three singles. Will Philips, Marcus Barnes, Vijay Menon and Tyler Waters were the other Orioles with base hits. Waters reached base and scored a run all four times he came to the plate, with three walks to go along with his base hit.
Red Sox v. Mason District Phillies — the Red Sox traveled to Mason District Park for an inter-league game against the Phillies on Saturday, May 19, bringing home an 11-3 victory. With five innings of strong work on the mound, starter Frankie Hall earned the victory, with Lucas Cherry coming on in relief to secure the win. Cherry helped his own cause by initiating a tough double play to stop a rally by the Phillies and end the game. A timely infield hit by a hustling Stevie Lethbridge opened the gates for a big Red Sox inning in the fifth. Matt Lowery’s booming double and key hits by Richard Marsh, Hall, and Cherry also contributed to the Sox scoring.
Yankees v. A’s – In another down-to-the-wire game, the Yankees prevailed over the A’s 8-7 on Monday, May 14. The A’s jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a double by Clint Rock and a single by Matt Ledder, who also came around to score. A’s pitcher Michael Evans held the Yankees scoreless through two innings, striking out four and allowing only a single to John Todd. The A’s continued their slugging in the third on a home run by Rock, a single by Ledder and another home run, this time by Evans.
The Yankees bounced back to score six runs in the bottom half of the frame. Anthony Wagner beat out an infield hit, Mark Hilliard was hit by a pitch and John Todd reached safely on a fielder’s choice. After a single by Glenn Hall, Liam Glennon blasted a double to clear the bases. Glennon scored on hit by Clay Koch. After being hit by pitch, Hayden Hall came around to score on a triple by T.D. Kline. After the Yankees scored a run in fourth, the A’s scored two in the fifth when Ledder walked and Michael Evans ripped his second home run of the evening, tying the game at 7-7. The Yankees’ defense held in the sixth, with catcher Alex McMillen initiating a key double play. In the bottom of the sixth Hilliard singled, followed by a double by Todd. With the infield pulled in, Glenn Hall drove a hard grounder to second, bringing in the winning run.
Yankees v. Mason District Nationals — on Saturday, May 19th, the Yankees traveled to Mason District to face the Nationals, winning 6-1, bringing their record for the season to 7-3. John Todd’s infield single and some wild pitches gave the Yanks the early lead. Glenn Hall singled and eventually scored in the fifth. Starting Yankees pitcher Liam Glennon worked three quick innings, striking out six. Jon Strader added two fine innings of work with four strikeouts before being lifted in the sixth for closer Todd.
The Yankees added four insurance runs in the top of the sixth on hits by Mark Hilliard, Liam Glennon, and Hayden Hall, plus a couple of walks.
