Playoff Atmosphere

Rainouts.  Twice.  At two different times in the regular season the heavily anticipated match up between last year's championship teams was postponed due to rain.  So when TPG vs. RAMSA was rescheduled for the final game of their respective regular seasons, the league worried that one of the best games of the year would end up being meaningless.  But 2013 would not be such as season.  Even though the league already knew who the 6 playoff teams would be, not a single seed had been confirmed, and every one of the three games played on Great Lawn last night would have crucial postseason implications.

Great Lawn 4 saw SS take on GSA, needing a win and a RAMSA loss to clinch the #1 seed.  SS showed up to play and won easily 12-2.  In post game interviews, SS would admit to paying more attention to the sounds they heard coming from Great Lawn 3, the other field where RAMSA was embroiled in one of the toughest regular season double headers ever.

Before yesterday's games, RAMSA pitcher David "Bucket List" Solomon was quoted during an exclusive interview: "make no mistake about it, we will be out there for blood against KPF going for the win and run record".  David was referring to the history books that are embodied in the official league website.  Having allowed only 12 runs in 8 games this season, RAMSA needed to give up a total of 12 or fewer runs in their final two games to secure the single season record for runs allowed per game. Resting his arm for game 2, David Solomon sat back and watched his 3rd string pitcher shut down a potent KPF lineup, giving up only 3 runs, and winning the game 6-3.

All eyes would now be on RAMSA's game 2, the match up of the year vs TPG.  In what would be described by many people as a "playoff atmosphere", this game would not disappoint.  A sell-out crowd filled the seats as TPG fans came out to witness this event.  It turned out that this game would be audience participation night as TPG Fan Of The Year Marc "The Fan" Hoeflich lent his sneakers and jersey to DH Norman "Cricket" Ha who arrived at the game looking stylish in his jeans and boots, apparently expecting a photo shoot instead of a softball game.

Heading into the game, two records were at stake.  The RAMSA runs allowed per game record has already been mentioned.  But TPG had their sights set on a record as well.  If TPG scores at least two runs against RAMSA, they would be the new runs scored per game record holder.  If you have been paying attention, you would now be realizing that we had a bit of an epic confrontation.  The all time best defense was facing off against the all time best offense.  Who would prevail? Does defense and pitching really beat offense in SLAM softball?  We were about to find out.

A scoreless first inning set the pace, and made it clear from the start that this would not be an easy victory for either team.  RAMSA scored one unearned run in the second, and it was 1-0 at the end of two innings. Before we get carried away with the whole offense vs. defense thing, let's not underestimate RAMSA's ability to score runs as well.  In fact, when the day would end, RAMSA would find themselves as the #2 scoring team in the league.  With two more runs in the top of the 3rd, and their defense holding strong, RAMSA took a 3-0 lead heading into the 4th inning.  TPG held their own in the top of the fourth, and came to bat in the bottom of the inning needing 3 runs to tie the game.  Back to back singles by 3B Tony "Married to the Firm" Franzese and SS Tommy "Guns" Anderson, followed by a walk to EH Elliot "ET" Grochal, and TPG had a rally going with bases loaded and nobody out.

In the biggest at bat of the game so far, TPG RCF Ray "Big Ray" Dominguez blasted a shot to center field that had SAC fly written all over it.  Over the years RAMSA's outfield has been among the league's elite, so when a miscommunication caused Ray's ball to drop, two runs scored, and both benches were in shock.  1B Lynee "The Natural" Hastings ripped a SAC fly ball to LF, and the game was tied 3-3.  DH Norman Ha followed up with a single, reaching second on an unsuccessful RAMSA throw to 3rd trying to stop Ray from advancing with one out.  LCF Dave "Speedy" Beauchamp hit a clutch RBI ground out, and at the end of 4 innings played, TPG took their first lead of the game 4-3.

This lead would be short-lived, as RAMSA jumped right back with 3 runs in the 5th, and TPG came to bat in the bottom of the inning down by two runs.  Before the 2013 season started, David Solomon shared his bucket list with the SLAM Talk writing staff.  One of the items on the list is to make it through an entire SLAM season without walking TPG C Princess "Peanut" Salvacion.  Sorry Dave, but your bucket list item will have to wait another year.  Princess led off the 5th inning with a walk, and was followed immediately by a walk from 2B Omar "No Practice" Cevallos.  A SAC fly by Tony Franzese, followed by an RBI infield single from Tommy Anderson, and the crowd went wild with a tie game after 5 innings.

2 innings left to play.  TPG defense held RAMSA scoreless in the top of the 6th, and came to bat looking for blood.  Ray Dominguez started us off with a leadoff single, and then advanced to 2nd on a SAC fly.  For the second time this game Dave Beauchamp ripped a go ahead RBI, and TPG took a one run lead to the 7th inning.

The pressure was mounting.  Darkness was setting in.  Every ump from all of the other games at Great Lawn showed up to watch the last inning of this epic battle.  Scratching their way through the 7th, RAMSA came through big and tied the game, 7-7.  So it comes down to this.  Bottom of the 7th.  One run to win.  Princess Salvacion led off with her second walk of the game, followed by a single from Omar Cevallos, and TPG had two on and no one out.  An infield fly, and one out later TPG still had runners on first and second.  A long out to RCF by Tony Franzese and both runners advanced.  Two outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd, and last year's league MVP Tommy Anderson at the plate.  Shocking the crowd, David Solomon threw Tommy one strike, before four pitches that were nowhere near the strike zone.  Bases loaded, 2 outs, tied game.  And last year's pitcher of the year won the battle, getting a game ending ground out to 3rd.  Final score 7-7.  A tie game.  In the process 2 records were set.  RAMSA is now the modern era single season runs allowed per game record holder at 2.20.  TPG is now the modern era single season runs scored per game record holder at 12.30.

RAMSA will enter the playoffs as the #1 seed, playing the winner of the 4/5 series.  And TPG will be the #3 seed, with a first round series against either KPF or GA.

Game balls go to both no one and everyone at the same time.  This was truly a team effort on both sides of the field, and hat's off to RAMSA and TPG for one of the most exciting games you will ever see.

See you in the playoffs.

A Statement Game - TPG vs KPF

On April 30th, 2013, league commissioner David Solomon sent TPG Manager Josh "Roll Call" Ginsburg an email saying that TPG's next game against KPF on May 2nd was a "statement game".  Last night was May 2nd.  KPF was coming off a very successful 2012 season where they were two runs away from playing in the championships, and followed it up with two dominating victories to start the 2013 season.  TPG did play in the 2012 championships, and had one dominating victory themselves to start the 2013 season.  Could last nights game be a preview of the 2013 finals?  When the 2013 schedule was first released, everyone on team TPG circled May 2nd.  Why you ask?  KPF star pitcher Michael Linx is a "high arc pitcher", and for you newbies out there, that means he pitches the ball ridiculously high in the air, and manages to land them for strikes.  And last nights game was a bright sunny day on Heckscher 1, where the batter faces South West.  And since this league is made of Architects who - for the most part - have an inherent understanding of sunlight angles, we all knew that it would be literally impossible to see the high arc pitches as they soared through the sky.

But would this game be the defensive battle and pitching duel we were all anticipating?  We thought so.  Oops.  With closed eyes, sun glasses, hats, and what at times felt like small miracles, the TPG powerhouse would not be held down.  For the second time in two games, TPG LF Justin "I don't like to stop running" Aharoni (2-2 2HRs, 2BB, 5 RBI) blasted a HR in the first inning, and it was 2-0 TPG heading into the second.  A controversial fair ball call down the left field line by the umpire rewarded KPF P Michael Linx with a solo HR in the top of the 2nd, and it was the tight 2-1 game that everyone expected.

Batting in the bottom of the 2nd inning, TPG Rookie of the Year candidate EH Norman "Cricket" Ha (2-3, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI) smoked an RBI triple (this Australian cricket player had literally never held a softball before this season started), and scored on the following AB when TPG Rookie DH Bill "Wild Bill" Jenak (2-2, 3 RBI) knocked him home on an RBI single.

Stellar pitching by TPG P Derrick "The Mouth" Blocker held KPF to only one run over three innings, and TPG came to bat in the bottom of the 3rd leading 4-1.  With the sun at the worst possible angle, and batters guessing at every pitch, we are still scratching our heads at what TPG pulled off in their next at bat.  With 9 of the next 10 batters reaching base safely including a 2 RBI triple (should have been a HR but Derrick the 3rd base coach wanted to rest Simon's legs) by TPG RF Simon "Kung Fu Panda" Yeung (3-4, 3B, 4 RBI), Justin Aharoni came to bat with two outs and 2 runners on base.  And boom, with his second HR of the game (4th of the year in two games played), a 3-run blast, TPG put up a 10-spot and was now leading 14-1 after three innings of play.

The 11 run mercy rule was staring us right in the eye.  When KPF came to bat in the top of the fourth all TPG needed was three outs before KPF scored 3 runs, and the game would be over.  The first batter made an out, and now it was only two outs before the game was history.  TPG was merry, relaxed, and already thinking about the post game beers.  Somehow KPF rallied, and with clutch hitting scored 4 runs in the 4th to avoid the mercy.  Both teams played some defense, TPG was held scoreless for two innings, and KPF came back to the plate down 14-5 in the top of the 6th inning.  A few innings ago TPG was wondering if they had completely overestimated the ability of KPF.  But the top of the 6th changed that view.  KPF rallied  and scored 6 runs (a total of 10 unanswered), and we had a ball game at 14-11 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

TPG leads the league with an absurd 17 runs scored per game.  And our bats were not to be silenced any longer.  A 6th inning rally, including a 2 RBI single by Simon Yeung, and TPG ended the 6th up 17-11.  KPF put one final run on the board in the 7th, and the "pitcher's duel" ended as a 17-12 victory for TPG.

Statement Game.

Game balls go to Justin Aharoni, Simon Yeung, Norman Ha, and Bill Jenak.

2012 SLAM Awards

The 2012 SLAM Awards were held last night at Brother Jimmy's, and for the first time in 10 years, TPG Architecture found themselves on the podium with a second place finish after losing in the deciding Game 3 of the Championships.  The SLAM awards party is an annual event filled with beer, BBQ, and of course trophies.  With a packed house, league commissioner David Solomon had us hanging on his every word as he announced the 2012 award winners.

For the first time in recent memory (and possibly the history of the league?), both Male and Female MVPs went to the same team.  You guessed it, TPG Architecture won both awards as outstanding play from SS Tommy Anderson and 1B Lynee Hastings won them each the league wide MVP award.  Tommy also took home the league wide Big Bat award.

Proving that pitching and defense wins championships (in softball at least for this year), RAMSA won both Pitcher of the Year (David Solomon) and Defensive Player of the Year (Dan Sykes).

The 2012 Spirit Awards for best sportsmanship went to Li Ching from KPF and Christine Schlendorf from Perkins Eastman Associates.

Finally, a new award was created this year, and the winner won by a landslide in a unanimous vote.  Yes, the 2012 winner of the Gilbert Gottfried Award was none other than TPG Pitcher Derrick Blocker.

In fact, when the Gilbert Gottfried award was announced, the entire room of almost 100 people stood and pointed directly at Derrick before his name was even mentioned.  Yes, it was that obvious that Derrick would win this award.  Derrick - you have definitely left your mark on this league.

Until next year, when we all will be gunning for the big hardware.

Down the Stretch they Come (TPG vs. PEA)

With 5 consecutive losses going into last night's game, the once-promising season was on the brink for team TPG. Was it the rainouts, poor league scheduling, or just simply bad playing? Feeling the pressure, team TPG came to play last night against PEA. Former team MVP Omar "No Practice" Cevallos made his return to the lineup for the first time since April, and played a sensational 3B getting the first 5 outs of the game.



The TPG offense finally showed their stuff ripping off 4 runs in the 1st inning to stake a lead they would never give up. Newcomer Ray "Sparky" Dominguez played SS, led off the game with a hit, and seemed to spend the whole game speeding around the bases. The final score was 7-4, as TPG beat PEA.

5 of the 6 playoff teams are already decided (although the final seeding is still up for grabs): RAMSA, SSC, PCF, GA, and FXF.

The 6th and final spot is between TPG, MGA, and EA, and it looks like it may come down to the last week of the season. TPG is in the driver seat as the only team left who controls their own destiny (TPG beat both MGA and EA during the season). Two wins by TPG against PCF (Thursday) and GSA (Next Monday) clinch the 6th seed. TPG also gets in with one win and an MGA loss (MGA has two games left - GSA and SSC). MGA gets in with two wins and a TPG loss. EA is the long shot getting in with two losses by both TPG and MGA.

A lot is riding on these games for the other teams as well. If TPG beats PCF on Thursday, GA becomes the 3 seed, moving FXF up to 4, and PCF down to 5. A win by PCF gives them the 3 seed, and GA/FXF remain at 4/5 respectively. SSC's loss yesterday to EA put RAMSA back in the fast track for the 1 seed - provided they can pull off a victory in the final game of the season against arch-nemesis KPF. SSC will need a victory against MGA and a loss by RAMSA to reclaim the 1 seed.

Could this be the first year in recent memory that the 6th seed has a below .500 record? Will TPG keep the momentum and return to the post-season for the first time since 2008? Will MGA reach the post-season for the first time in team history? Will an epic collapse by both TPG and MGA boost EA into the playoffs? Stay tuned.

KPF Defeats TPG in Extra Innings

Central Park, Great Lawn #4 - New York, NY
June 21st, 2010

With an up and down 2010 season and a mysterious parks dept. "rainout" the week before, the KPF squad was looking to salvage any hope of making the playoffs with a must-win game against the always solid TPG team.

The 7pm game started out late, but luckily the first (and longest) day of summer wouldn't allow us to be concerned about the loss of daylight....or would it?

Having great players finally able to show up to the same game, KPF felt confident and competitive. The game was evenly matched with good hitting from both teams and had us trading runs almost every inning until the 6th and 7th where the score remained tied at 7-all.

It turns out that the amount of daylight was just right to play extra innings and the KPF bats came alive in a consistent manner. There were 7 consecutive hits that lead to a 6 run inning and gave us momentum while demoralizing the opposition. The strong KPF defense kept the TPG bats quiet as the daylight started to dwindle with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th inning.

Final Score:
KPF 13
TPG 7

Notable KPF Stats:
Keisuke "Doctor D'' Hiei: 3-5, 2 Runs Scored, 2 RBI
Bryan "Two First Names'' Frank: 1-5, HR, 1 Run Scored, 1 RBI
Michael "Cadillac'' Bentley: 2-4, HR, 2 Runs Scored, 2 RBI
Nick "Last Game'' Wallin: 2-4, 1 Run Scored, 1 RBI
Li Min "Coach'' Ching: 4-4, 2 Runs Scored, 3 RBI

MERCY, MERCY ME....

I think Marvin Gaye’s hit song from 1971 best sums up the first half of the 2010 season as HMA/RAMSA racked up its 4th mercy victory in the first six games, moving their record on the season to 6-0 (and extending their regular season winning streak to 14)

TPG came out of the gate early with a pair of unearned runs in the first inning to jump out to any early lead; but they promptly returned the favor with a throwing error of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 2-2. After exchanging runs in the second inning, HMA/RAMSA began to assert themselves at the plate by scoring 5 runs in each the 3rd and 4th innings on their way to a 17-6 rout.

Mike "The Situation" Sargent

In the third inning, with the score tied at 3, Eric Hofmann – in only his second game back from injury – looked like his old self as he doubled to start the hit parade. HMA/RAMSA plated 3 more runs as the middle of the batting order did their job this afternoon. The 5-run inning was capped by Mike “The Situation” Sargent who uncorked his third HR of the season to deep CF to plate two more runs. When asked about his power surge this season, Sargent could only say: "Yo, my abs are so ripped up that softball has no chance. I mean, this situation is gonna be indescribable, you can't even describe the situation that you're about to get into with The Situation." Well put, Mike.

In the fourth inning, the first six men/women to bat in the inning reached base (some on dazzling hits, others on less-than-dazzling defense) as HMA/RAMSA tacked on another 5 runs highlighted by Doug Neri's single (3-4, 3 runs and 3 RBI). Admittedly there was a lot of sloppy defense played by both teams, however HMA/RAMSA scored a season-high 17 runs on 16 hits as they scored a run in each of the 6 innings they played.

Game Ball(s): Tough to pick out just one star so we're giving it to the #3, 4 and 5 hitters (Doug Neri, Brian Barney, Doug Houstoun) who were a combined 7-11 with 7 runs scored and 9 RBI. Keep up the good work, boys!

Next up—weather permitting—is KPF, the last team in the SLAM League to defeat the Mighty Orange in the regular season. Don’t let their 1-4 record fool you. This one is VERY personal, and mercy will be shown to no one.

PLAYOFF TEAMS ESTABLISHED...

Polshek's (PP) 13-2 win over RRA/DBB last night gave them a final record of 6-5 and locked them into the 6th and final playoff position. (Despite the possibility of also finishing 6-5, both KPF and TPG have been eliminated since they lost their head-to-head match ups with PP.)

The other five playoff teams (HM/RAMSA, SSC, GA, FXF, PCF/HH) will now be jockeying for playoff positioning. HM/RAMSA can secure the #1 seed by winning one of their final two games, however seeds #2 thru #5 are up for grabs. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.

Congrats to all the playoff teams. We will begin scheduling playoff games as soon as the seedings are established.

KPF Defeats Gruzen Samton 16-0 with Perfect Game

Monday - July 6, 2009
Central Park - Great Lawn #3

Coming off a tough shorthanded loss against TPG last week, KPF had a strong & full team finally show up for a game against Gruzen Samton. With our playoff hopes starting to fade slightly, we needed a big win to help us jumpstart the push for the post-season.

With our all-star pitcher Tiffany not in attendance due to a deadline, our other pitcher had to step up. Luckily Michael Linx was more than up for the challenge. To try and match Tiffany’s performance against HM/RAMSA Michael had to take his pitching to a whole other level. Luckily he was up for the challenge and pitched a perfect game before the mercy rule kicked in. With 3.5 innings pitched no walks, no hits, and no errors by the KPF defense, it was a memorable performance.

Starting off against a shorthanded Gruzen Samton team that played 3 outfielders, we had scored 1 run in the first inning from a blast off the bat of Michael Bentley (his first of two Homeruns). This would prove to be a standard for our team later in the game. The second inning saw an offensive explosion coupled with a defensive implosion from the Gruzen Samton team. In the 12 run second inning, KPF had batted around with a solid lineup that had the whole team contributing well. KPF also had a string of 3 consecutive homeruns in the third inning by Keisuke Hiei, Li Min Ching and Michael Bentley.
With the season about half over, KPF looks to try and put together a winning streak.

Other Notable stats:
Hitting:
Keisuke ’Optimus’ Hiei – 1 HR
Li Min ’Old School’ Ching – 1 HR
Michael ’Auto’ Bentley – 2 HR’s
Michael ’Cy’ Linx – 1 HR
David ’D’ Niles- 1 HR

Pitching: Michael ’Cy Young’ Linx – 3.5 innings, 0H, 0BB, 2K

KPF Defeats Holzman Moss / Robert A.M. Stern 3-2

Central Park, New York – May 18th, 2009

With last year’s playoff victory against HM/RAMSA still fresh in everyone’s mind (and the basis for an offseason playoff rule change), the KPF team knew that the HM/RAMSA team would be seeking revenge.
Unable to field a complete team due to deadlines and 2 injuries the previous week, KPF was missing one player in the field and an important bat in the lineup (our usual cleanup hitter). The HM/RAMSA team had outscored their previous 2 opponents by a combined score of 38-6 and were ready to bolster their offensive stat total. Luckily, a strong KPF defensive team was ready to play even if we had one less fielder than was allowed.

In a cold 55 degree May evening and in anticipation for our showdown, we had our 2008 team MVP Tiffany Broyles starting next to our third baseman Keisuke Hiei (3 time team MVP and 2 time league defensive player of the year).

What followed was, according to the HM/RAMSA captain and pitcher David Solomon, ”… one of the most dominant pitching performances I’ve ever seen.” Of course, I’m sure David was speaking of corporate coed softball in the SLAM league but nonetheless, Tiffany had allowed 5 total base runners with 4 singles and a walk. There was not one defensive error to let someone on 1B either. Not to take anything away from the opposing team, (they were hitting the ball) but the KPF squad had their gloves oiled and positions well patrolled.

Trailing 0-1, KPF scored it’s first run in the 5th inning to tie it at 1-1. Nick Wallin lead the rally by hitting a line drive single. Following Nick was Allison Young who hit another single to advance Nick to second base. Next up, Brian Ballok followed with an RBI single and drove Nick home. This small-ball approach worked out just right for the game since the opposing pitcher was mixing it up and keeping us on our toes.

In addition to his usual smooth fielding and clutch hitting, Keisuke ran the bases with natural baseball instinct. In the top of the 7th (last) inning and KPF leading 2-1, Keisuke stretched what seemed like a single into a double by sliding headfirst under the tag. Next was a sharp single by David Niles (who KPF welcomes back as former captain after 9 years away) that scored Keisuke as an important insurance run. HM/RAMSA scored in the bottom of the 7th to make it a 1 run game, however Tiffany Broyles pitched out of the jam to secure another KPF win.

The intensity of the game was apparent early on when the opposing HM/RAMSA left fielder Eric Hofman was airborne horizontally and made what was the best diving catch I have ever seen in 11 years of this league. This catch robbed us of at least 1 run and ended our rally in the 4th inning.

In softball, it is rare to have a pitchers duel, and this was a game well played by both teams.

Other Notable stats:
Keisuke Hiei – 2-2, 2BB (1 intentional), 1 run scored
Nick Wallin - 3-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Tiffany Broyles – 7 innings pitched, 4 hits allowed, 1BB, 2 runs allowed

HMA/RAMSA MOVES TO 2-0 WITH CONVINCING VICTORY

Fresh off the heels of a 21-2 victory in their season opener, HMA/RAMSA came out with revenge on their minds against RRA/DBB—the team that ended our perfect season a year ago. Grey rain clouds were threatening this game all day long, but HMA/RAMSA provided some thunder with their bats as the game ended in a 17-4 romp.


As was the case in their first game, HMA/RAMSA jumped out to an early lead with 3 runs in the top of the first inning and another 4 in the top of the third inning to take a 7-0 lead. RRA/DBB responded in the bottom of the third inning with a pair of runs of their own to make it 7-2. The inning could have been more prolific were it not for the deadly right arm of SCF Pete “The Cannon” Garofalo who threw out the first of two would-be runners at 3B in the bottom of the third (see below video).

The lead was extended to 8-2 in the 4th and HMA/RAMSA was finally able to break the game wide open in the 6th inning as the first four batters of the inning got on base and eventually scored. With the bases loaded and no outs, newcomer Mike Sargent stepped to the plate for a memorable first AB in the SLAM League. The Sarge hit a screaming bomb into the left-centerfield gap for a legit grand slam. Welcome to the team, Mike!

HMA/RAMSA tacked on another 4 runs in the top of the 7th while RRA/DBB added a pair of runs of their own in the 6th and 7th innings to bring the final score to 17 – 4. Though early in the season, HMA/RAMSA has now outscored its first two opponents 38-6. Perhaps lost in the shuffle of defensive gems and grand slams was pitcher David Solomon’s career high 8 K’s.

GAME BALLS go to:

• Mike Sargent—any time a guy begins his career with a legit grand slam, he gets a game ball in my book; 2 for 2 on the day with 4 RBI's.


• Pete “The Cannon” Garofalo—2 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 runners gunned down from the OF trying to get to 3B.

Next up for HMA/RAMSA, another revenge match: Kohn Pedersen Fox—the team that knocked HMA/RAMSA out of the 2008 playoffs and ended their hopes and dreams.

Better get your popcorn ready!

PCF/HH Downs KPF For First Win

Mark Maljanian was 3-for-3 with 1 RBI, a walk, and 3 runs scored and Mike Copeland hit a bases-clearing double as part of a 5-run third inning, as PCF/HH opened their season with a 9-5 victory over KPF on Great Lawn, Field 4, last night. The win was PCF/HH's first game of the season, after torrential rain postponed their first two matches of the 2009 S.L.A.M. season.

Despite winning the coin toss to be the home team, luck was initially on KPF's side, as they opened a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. The Black and Red of PCF/HH responded in the bottom of the inning, including a pair of patient walks and some timely hitting, to tie the game at 3-apiece.

After a scoreless second, PCF/HH batters used the bottom of the third to distance themselves from the competition, loading the bases once and scoring 5 runs to open up an 8-3 lead. KPF tried to immediately mount a comeback in the top of the fourth, leading off with consecutive base hits from the top of their order. But No. 1 hitter Keisuke Hiei was caught trying to stretch from first to third on captain Li-Min Ching's single by PCF/HH centerfielder Eron Ashley, who loaded his howitzer of a right arm and threw Hiei out at third.

PCF/HH would tack on another run in the sixth before KPF added 2 runs of their own with two out in the top of the seventh. Both teams were able to field their complete turnout, including PCF/HH substitutes and pinch-hitters Dwidson Metayer, Tony (A-Rod) Rodriguez, and Rich Haskell, as well as PCF rookie Michael Stewart.

The loss was adding insult to injury for KPF, as they lost shortstop Dan Treinen to a torn calf muscle and second baseman Adam Zimmerman, who had a fingernail torn off during a fielding play. In spite of all this, there was a silver lining for Hiei, who went 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored, as well as left centerfielder Michael Bentley who contributed 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored for KPF.

Now, one month into the season, PCF/HH sits at 1-0 while KPF carries a record of 1-2.

The PCF/HH Game Ball goes to shortstop Mark Maljanian, who had a huge impact in his first game back after a season-long injury sidelined him for all of 2008.