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The action remained hot last week in the Feeney division when the first place Lynx team were handed consecutive defeats. Murphy's pitcher, Eric Malerba and his knuckleball frustrated the Lynx batters as he kept them guessing at the plate. Nick Herz struck the big blow for Murphy's when he smacked a three run homerun to deep left in the sixth inning. The Lynx didn't fold and made it a close game in the seventh but Malerba got the last laugh in this one, winning 13-10. The upset win was very rewarding for Murphy's Law (3-12) as they have lost some close games this year.
Following the defeat, the Lynx regrouped and took on the Stadium Club. It was 90 degrees at game time but would only get hotter as the game went on. With the score tied at three in the third, this one was looking like another M Street classic was taking place. However, the Stadium offense erupted in the top of the fourth inning and scored seven runs to take a 10-3 lead. The Lynx then changed pitchers hoping to keep the Stadium offense in check while they tried to claw there way back into the game. But Stadium's Tom Patella (4 hits), Paul Gurley (4 hits, 5 RBI), and Robbie Rogers (3 hits) could not be stopped as they banged out hit after hit leading the Stadium past the tamed Lynx, 18-3. The losses by the Lynx now put first place up for grabs in the Feeney division. When this article went to press the same two teams were scheduled to conclude their season on Wednesday; against each other! The outcome of that game would determine first place and should provide some good reading in next week's article. In other division news, the Sidewalk Café had the week off and is readying themselves for the upcoming playoffs. Sidewalk is trying to get back to the finals for the first time since 2003. The Spartans also had a quiet week and won the only game they played, 8-6 over Murphy's. Both teams will know who they are facing in the first round at the conclusion of this week. In the Moran division, for most of the season Seapoint Restaurant and Il Giardino Café ran neck and neck at the top of the standings. The talk around the league was that a one game playoff was going to be needed to separate the two. However, Seapoint's hopes were dashed last week when they ran into the hot Boston Beer Garden team making the one game playoff scenario an afterthought. On Thursday, Jon Batchelder broke out of a recent slump when he launched an extra inning walk off homerun to give the Beer Garden a come from behind 9-8 victory over Seapoint. Coach Peter Hourihan led the Beer Garden who rallied from being three runs down in the sixth. The Beer Garden then completed the evening with another close victory when they nipped Full Tilt, 11-10. Brian Sheehan hit a go ahead homerun in the top of the seventh inning only to watch Full Tilt put the first two runners on in the bottom of the inning. Beer Garden's pitcher, Mark Landolfi then got the next batter to pop up for the first out. Mario Perella then drew on his softball wisdom and re-positioned first baseman, John Curtin. The next Landofi offering was drilled and on its way down the right field line when Curtin snagged it and doubled off the base runner to end the game. Although Landolfi picked up the win it was Perella's moves that led to victory. In other division news, the remaining three playoff spots are up for grabs between five teams. Gorilla Fingers, Brewers, Full Tilt, L Street Tavern, and 6 House all have life and are within a game or two of each other. Each team will need to raise their level of play in this last week of regular season softball. It should be a fun week. In closing, league games are played Monday-Friday starting at 6pm, 7:30, and 9PM. We hope to see you there! |