AA
Sidewinders vs. Scrappers — Sidney Marsh recorded a number of key outs over several innings for the Scrappers, but it wasn’t enough to stave off the Sidewinders’ big bats, as the Scrappers fell to the Sidewinders 14-0.
AA
Sidewinders vs. Scrappers — Sidney Marsh recorded a number of key outs over several innings for the Scrappers, but it wasn’t enough to stave off the Sidewinders’ big bats, as the Scrappers fell to the Sidewinders 14-0. Sidewinders’ pitcher Josh King threw three hitless innings, while helping his own cause with a two-run double in the first inning. Closer Christian Farrace came on in the fourth inning to slam the door and complete a no-hitter for the Sidewinders.
Sand Gnats vs. Lugnuts — The Sand Gnats and the Lugnuts played it close on April 30, keeping the score tied well into the game. Pitcher Thomas Dean helped the Lugnuts defensively with a nice play to first baseman Matt McNeil to keep the Sand Gnats in check. However, pitcher Erik Martin led the Sand Gnats to victory, catching an explosive hit off the bat and drilling it to first baseman Hollman Smith for a double play to end the inning. The Sand Gnats increased their lead with consistent hitting, and Martin closed the game decisively with two strike outs as the Sand Gnats walked away with a 17-10 win.
AAA
Mets vs. Cardinals — On Tuesday, April 28, the Mets defeated the Cardinals 20-10. Mets’ third baseman William Watt sparked the defense with a great catch on a pop up, while slugger Sam Luten led the offense, blasting a single, double and triple. The Mets’ strong team play led them to their fourth consecutive win of the young season. The Mets got strong pitching from Sam Poggioli and Noah Galvin, as well as Anthony Cantanio, who fanned three batters in a row.
Mets vs. Marlins — The Mets put another one in the books on Saturday, May 2, defeating the Marlins 13-0 as they rolled to a 5-0 record. Highlights included a strong performance on the mound by Michael Parrella, who fired eight straight strikeouts in the first three innings. Liam Strobel followed with another stellar performance, striking out seven batters. The Marlins brought some heat of their own with strong pitching from Chris Beddow, who recorded five strikeouts, and Mathew Nicholson who struck out three. The Mets defense was anchored by the strong play of Noah Galvin, Sam Poggioli and Anthony Cantanio. The Mets offense showed great depth, with runs driven in by Parrella (two), Sam Luten (two), Noah Galvin (one), Jack Foster (three), Sam Poggioli (three), Ryan Barrett (one) and Joe Andres (one).
Pirates v. Rangers — On May 2 at Jefferson Village field, the Pirates defeated the Rangers 24-3. The Pirates jumped on board early with a five-run first inning powered by Aiden Phillips’s RBI-triple. Pirates’ right-hander Christian Kelly put in an impressive two innings, allowing no runs and delivering six strikeouts. And Dylan Galt pitched two scoreless innings backed by flawless infield play. The Pirates staged an eight-run blitz in the third, including a two-RBI single by Steven Doherty and a two-RBI double by Galt. For the Rangers, Louis Klarfeld struck out the side in the top of the fourth and ripped an RBI single to left field in the fifth inning. The Pirates added eight runs on seven hits in the fifth inning.
MAJORS
Yankees vs. Cubs — The Cubs and Yankees battled until the final out in the late game at Westgate Park on Monday, April 27. The game was finally decided when the Cubs’ third baseman, Chris Loyd, scooped a ground ball down the third base line and stepped on the bag to force out the hustling Yankees runner with the bases loaded and two outs. The Yankees got off to a great start in the first inning, scoring three runs on hits by Evan Tracy (three hits), Jordan Cole (two hits), Gabe Terry (two hits) and Jack Rasmussen (two hits). In the bottom of the inning, the Cubs answered the Yankees’ challenge taking a 5-3 lead when Will Iacobucci singled to score Wesley Coupard and Daniel Schlitt. Ryan Leonard finished the scoring in the inning, blasting a fastball deep over the right field fence scoring Loyd after his double. The Cubs built a comfortable, if only temporary, lead in the bottom half of the fifth inning scoring seven runs on hits by Coupard, Johnny Peterson, Ben Torpey, Loyd, Leonard, PJ Kern and a solo line drive home run by Iacobucci. The Yankees used hits by Terry, Chris Comstock and Michael Behrens to cut into the Cubs lead in the sixth inning but lefty Ned Quill calmly stepped to the mound and preserved the Cubs 12-10 victory by producing the game ending ground ball out to Loyd to get out of the bases-loaded jam.
A’s vs. Cubs — On Saturday, May 2, Cubs’ pitchers Daniel Schlitt and Ryan Leonard each struck out seven A’s batters on a gloomy Saturday morning at Idylwood Park. The A’s started quickly and took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on hits by Joey Kammerer, Patrick Evans (two hits) and George DeMars. The Cubs fought right back in the bottom of the first, using a lead-off double by Chris Loyd, a walk to PJ Kern and consecutive hits by Leonard and Johnny Peterson to take a 4-2 lead. DeMars also pitched well for the A’s, collecting six strikeouts over a four inning performance. The Cubs closed the scoring in the fifth inning using hits by Kern, Peterson and Ben Torpey for a 7-3 victory.
Yankees v. Mason District Red Sox — On May 2, the Yankees defeated the Mason District Red Sox 7-4. Michael Behrens of the Yankees struck out five batters in addition to hitting a home run, double and single. Paul Abbracciamento struck out four Red Sox and made two key fielding outs from the mound. Shane Doherty squelched a late inning comeback attempt by the Red Sox by getting three strikeouts, while aiding his own cause with an RBI single. Harrison Coon and Zach Talamonti both made strong plays at third base to keep the Red Sox from scoring until the final inning.
Athletics v. Red Sox — The Swingin’ A’s beat the Red Sox 10–3 on Monday, April 27, under the lights at Westgate 1. The Red Sox took an early lead after Jackson DuBro crushed a three-run homer over the left-center field fence, his second home run of the season. The A’s answered with four runs in the third, and never looked back. Patrick Evans sealed the deal with a grand slam in the fifth, his second homer of the season. The grand slam was Evans’ third hit of the game. He was also superb on the mound, striking out nine Red Sox over five innings. Logan Nesson closed with one strike out in the sixth. Nesson also had a single and an RBI. Aidan Fitzpatrick hit two singles for the A’s, and Matthew Dassira hit a beautiful sacrifice bunt. Several A’s contributed great fielding, including Lindsay Charters, who caught a fly ball in the second inning. Red Sox pitcher Jimmy Major pitched 2 and 1/3 innings, striking out four, and Ted Terwilliger added four strike-outs over two innings.
Red Sox v. Mason District Orioles — With two on and two out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Red Sox left fielder Zach Lang made a terrific catch on a hard-hit line drive off the bat of a Mason District slugger to close out a 4-1 win for the Sox, preserving a brilliant, complete game effort by starting pitcher Jimmy Major. Playing on May 2 at Mason District Park, the Sox were led by the hitting of red-hot slugger Jackson DuBro, who added a triple to his recent output of two home runs. Sam Selby added a double for the winners. The Sox defense was sparked by the solid infield play of Ted Terwilliger and Brandt Cole. In going the distance, Major struck our four and allowed only five hits to the powerful Orioles’ offense, while aiding his own cause by making several great plays from the mound.
The Falls Church Kiwanis Little League report is submitted by Steve Selby.
