Telegraph Hill 0 - Clock Tavern 12

Pitcher Chris Pope tossed six scoreless innings at the Telegraph Hill lineup and Clock Tavern scored more than enough runs here in game one as they cruised to a 12-0 victory.

Juan Herrera got the scoring started in the first inning when he doubled home Kyle Desjardins and EJ Martinez (3 hits, 3 runs). Clock added three more runs in the second and four in the third behind the hitting of Jimmy Jankowski (3 hits) to make it a 9-0 game against sub pitcher, Scott Howard. It was pretty much over at that point and for all keeping score at home, they had to be thinking this was going to be a very short series.

Clock Tavern closed the scoring out in the sixth when Tyler Weninger and Phil Sciretta drove home a pair of runs to make it 12-0 which was game over via the "mercy rule." Having to walk off the field after getting routed wasn't the start that Telegraph was looking for but they were hoping to turn it around in game two.

Chris Pope	EJ Martinez	Jimmy Jankowski

Clock Tavern Sluggers 11 - Telegraph Hill 16

It's not often that a pitcher can give up eleven earned runs and still be named the most valuable player of the game. That's what Telegraph Hill's Mike Araujo pulled off tonight folks. First of all, he wasn't supposed to be here at all as he was on the west coast for a work assignment. With the rain that fell over the weekend, there was a good chance the games were going to be called off this week. However, when he learned that the field was cleared and his team was set to play game two on Wednesday; let's just say he had to get creative and find his way home.

At 8:28 a taxi cab pulled up along side the playing field and out hopped Araujo. His teamates had brought his gear to the field so he quickly changed and then took his place on the mound for some warm up pitches. Could this guy leave the west coast time zone, fly five hours, and still be effective? I'm thinking not. Making matters more challenging was that his team was the home side in this one so Araujo had to take the ball and immediatley head to the mound. His first task was to navigate the top of the Clock Tavern order.

He got the leadoff hitter on a fly out to right and then struck out the second batter looking. In stepped Clock's power hitter and Araujo dispatched him too with a routine fly to left. Araujo's appearance on the mound and his determination gave Telegraph a huge lift, it was quickly apparent that they came to play tonight. His counterpart, Eric Mercedes, retired the side for Clock and it was looking like we were in for a pitcher's duel. However, that would change in the bottom of the second.

Matt Doyle led off with a single to center and then Mercedes got the next batter on an infield pop out. Anthony Perriello then followed with an RBI double that was lined into left. Wade O'Neil followed and crushed an inside pitch but lined it to thirdbaseman, Dan Fratus, who snagged it for the second out. Coleman Barnes gave Telegraph a 2-0 lead when he tripled home Perriello. Mercedes, who was hit hard in the inning, would dig deep to get the next batter that retired the side.

Meanwhile, Araujo was cruising as he retired the side in order in the top of the third inning. Telegraph's offense went back to work in the home half as they attacked Mercedes. Two straight singles by Derek Bauer and Andrew Delloury brought up Matt Barnes. Barnes hit a one hopper to third that wasn't handles and suddenly Telegraph had the bases loaded with nobody out. The number five hitter in the order, Matt Doyle, smoked his second single of the game plating Bauer and Delloury to make it 4-0. Araujo followed with a comebacker to the pitcher and was retired but Barnes scored on the play, 5-0. Perriello then padded the lead with his second RBI hit, 6-0. Wow!

Clock Tavern tried to answer as they had two runners on base with two outs in the top of the fourth. Jake Knowles (3 hits, HR, 3 RBI) finally put them on the board with an RBI single but that was all they would get, 6-1. Outfielder, Andrew Delloury made several great catches in right center to prevent any further damage.

Needing a hold, Mercedes went to work against the number ten hitter, Coleman Barnes. Barnes singled which was the start of a six-run rally that saw Telegraph bat around the order. It was 12-1 and Mercedes night was finished. The two clubs would exchange several runs over the next three innings but this one never got close as Araujo and Telegraph even this best of five series at a game a piece.

Thankfully, the pivotal game three is just a few hours away as Clock will look to turn the page while Telegraph Hill will look to carry their momentum. The game will be broadcast live on Facebook with yours truly doing the play-by-play - follow the "M Street Softball League" page and look for us tonight.

Mike Araujo	Derek Bauer	Andrew Delloury	Jake Knowles

Publico 9 - Clock Tavern 5

The defending champion, Clock Tavern Sluggers, won the Moran division and received a first round bye but it came with a cost - a lot of time off. Their last game was twenty-two days ago (August 4th) and now here they were facing Publico, a team that had just battled to upset Fat Baby in a three game quarter final series. Winning game one in the semi-finals would be a tall task...for Clock Tavern that is.

After a scoreless top half of the inning, Clock got the start they wanted as they plated two runs in the bottom of the first on RBI singles by Phil Sciretta and Dan Fratus, 2-0. They doubled up the lead in the second when Kevin Miller cleared the bases with a two bagger, 4-0. They had the early lead and all was going well.

Publico answered back in the top of the third when Steve Dazzo (4 hits, HR, 3 RBI) hit a two-run homerun over the fence in left, 4-2. They scratched another run across the plate in the fourth when Patrick Doonan singled home Alberto Vasquez (3 hits), 4-3.

After scoring the last run, Vasquez then went out to the mound and threw his second straight scoreless inning. This gave Publico a boost as they tied it up on an RBI single by none other than Vasquez himself, 4-4.

However, the tie didn't last long as Clock Tavern took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by EJ Martinez. It would be the last run Vasquez would allow in this one.

Steve Dazzo tied it in the top of the sixth when he singled home Patrick Doonan from second base, 5-5. Vasquez got the side out in the bottom of the inning and picked up his fourth strikeout in the process.

We moved to the top of the seventh where it would get away from Clock and their starter, Eric Mercedes. After allowing a leadoff single to Erik Ramirez, Jamie Faber doubled, and then Paul Iasiello tripled which scored two, 7-5. Vasquez then brought Iasiello home with a single making it 8-5 Publico. Mercedes would get the next out on a fly ball to right and that would be the end of his night. Tom Kazanowski took over and gave up another run on two hits, 9-5.

Clock Tavern hit the ball hard in the bottom of the seventh but two of their line drives were caught for outs. Vasquez, Dazzo, and Publico brought their best tonight as they take the series opener. Clock won't have as much time off between games as they are back at it on Thursday for game two.

Steve Dazzo	Alberto Vasquez	EJ Martinez

Clock Tavern 13 - Publico 6

The Clock Tavern scored four runs in the top of the first and then rode the arm of pitcher, Chris Pope to a series tying victory here in game two. The rust that was evident in game one was all but gone here as the defending champions played with purpose.

Publico and pitcher, Alberto Vasquez, got themselves in trouble with walks (3) in the first inning and throughout the game. Clock had the bases loaded with one out when Robb Scott delivered the game's first run on a sacrifice fly. However, another walk loaded them up for Jack Hocking (3 hits) who cleared the bases with a double, making it 4-0.

Chris Pope, who hasn't seen much of the M Street mound since June, made a surprise appearance and had very little trouble navigating the Publico lineup through the first five innings of play. At that point, Clock was comfortably out front, 10-2. They built the lead by taking advantage of the eight free passes that were handed out and timely hits by Juan Herrera (3-run homerun in 4th) and Tyler Weninger (3-run homerun in 7th).

Publico finally put a rally together in the sixth when Patrick Doonan (4 hits) led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly. Three runs would come across the plate to cut the lead in half but it was too little too late in this one.

Chris Pope	Patrick Doonan	Jack Hocking

Publico 8 - Clock Tavern Sluggers 9

Publico got the started they wanted when they jumped on pitcher, Chris Pope for four runs in the opening innings. However, the lead didn't last long and it was mainly to their own self inflicted wound. With two outs and a runner on first base, the Clock Tavern offense worked two straight walks to load the bases. In stepped slugger Juan Herrera and he made Publico and their pitcher pay with a grand slam homerun and a 5-4 lead.

Trailing by a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, Erick Ramirez (3 hits, 3 RBI) ripped a single into the outfield that plated two runs and tied the game, 6-6. Alberto Vasquez then tossed a scoreless inning at Clock and we had ourselves a tight ball game.

In the bottom of the fifth and the score still tied, Kevin Miller (2 hits, 3 RBI) drove home a pair of runs to put Clock Tavern back on top, 8-6. Chris Pope then pitched out of a small jam by producing two straight fly ball outs after giving up two hits.

In the bottom of the sixth, Clock Tavern would score a very important run - one that would eventually be the game winner. Tad Gold led off with a single and was followed by EJ Martinez, who walked for the third time. Publico pitching gave up seven free passes in this one - not a recipe for winning if you ask this old M Street pitcher. Juan Herrera then hit a fly ball to left that moved Gold over to third base. Phil Sciretta then followed with a sacrifice fly and it was 9-6 Clock Tavern. Publico would get out of the inning without giving up any additional runs.

It was last call in the top of the seventh and Publico nearly made the best of it. With two outs and two runners on base, Alberto Vasquez singled home Jamie Faber making it 9-7. The last batter in the order, Brian Baez, then followed with another RBI single and it was 9-8! Now with the top of the order up and with two runners on base, Publico had high hopes of tying and possibly going ahead. However, Pope produced a fly ball that was squeezed by the center fielder and the ball game was over. The Clock Tavern had held on to take a 2-1 series lead.

For what it's worth, Publico's chances of winning the series rely heavily on pitcher, Alberto Vasquez' performance. He has been fantastic in the playoffs and they have been competitive in every game. However, there are those moments in the game where he just seems to get himself in trouble by possibly overthinking the situation. Once this happens, the game gets away from him for a few moments and the walks follow. Hopefully, this isn't the case in game four as a top performance will be needed to force a game five.

Kevin Miller	Erick Ramirez	Juan Herrera

Clock Tavern Sluggers 9 - Publico 8

The Clock Tavern Sluggers managed to hold off Publico and advance back to the finals here in game four but it wasn't easy. Publico outperformed Clock Tavern in nearly every offensive category but the most important one - runs. This is a game they should have won - they had it right there in their hands but let it slip away.

Facing a must win, Publico got a three-run homerun from Steve Dazzo and carried a 6-3 lead into the top of the sixth inning when everything came apart. Up until this point, their pitcher, Alberto Vasquez, was tossing another very strong game. Giving up just five hits and three runs but had already walked four batters.

In the top of the sixth, just like the previous two games, something appeared to change in Vasquez' approach as he gave up back-to-back singles to Eric Desjardins and Ty Weninger. Dan Fratus then walked for the third time and the bases were loaded with nobody out. Jack Hocking quickly made Publico pay with a double making it 6-5. Another walk loaded the bases and then a walk to Nolan Freeman tied the game, 6-6. A sacrifice fly by Tad Gold and an RBI hit by EJ Martinez and Clock Tavern was suddenly in front, 9-6.

Battered and against the ropes, Publico reached down and came up swinging in the bottom of the sixth. Now facing Erik Mercedes, who took over from Tom Kazanowski, Andrew Grant singled and scored on Patrick Doonan's homerun, 9-8! However, that would be as close as they would get as Mercedes retired the side on fly balls and then didn't give up anything in the seventh.

Patrick Doonan	Erik Mercedes	Juan Herrera

Loco Stew Jays 14 - Telegraph Hill 12

Ronnie Orie hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth to put the Loco Stew Jays in front 12-11 and they held on for the victory here in game one of their best of five semi-final against Telegraph Hill.

Telegraph is usually a sure handed defensive team but tonight, perhaps a bit nervous, committed three errors that led to four unearned runs being scored. They built a 11-8 lead through four innings of play with the majority of those runs coming in the third when they sent twelve batters to the plate and scored seven runs. Andrew Delloury (3 hits, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) struck the big blow in the uprising for Telegraph.

Joe Smith got one of the runs back on a solo home run in the fifth for the Jays and then they got another handed to them when two Telegraph miscues led to Kyle Halloran (4 hits, 3 runs) scoring his third run of the game. At that point, Telegraph was clinging to an 11-10 lead.

Pitcher, Brian Pacheco then retired the side in the bottom of the fifth and we were onto the sixth where Orie would flip the script with a go-ahead home run and the Jays and Pacheco wouldn't relinquish.

Ronnie Orie	Kyle Halloran	Andrew Delloury

Telegraph Hill 19 - Loco Stew Jays 16

The final score reflected another football score, 19-16. That's thirty-five runs scored or five runs per inning! Yikes, where the other semi-final series is featuring great pitching and low scores, this one is vastly different.

We would need to write a novel to cover all the hits and runs scored in this game so instead we'll narrow it down. The Stew Jays built a 9-6 lead through the first two innings of play. Telegraph responded with a five-run top of the third to pull ahead, 11-9. Neither pitcher was enjoying this one as the hits just kept coming.

Telegraph added three more runs in the fourth highlighted by Derek Bauer's (4 hits) triple, 14-9. They added four more runs in the fifth when Bauer went deep, 18-9. During those three innings of Bauer and Telegraph erupting, pitcher Mike Araujo managed to toss scoreless innings against the Stew Jays.

The Jays got themselves back in the game in the bottom of the sixth when Ronnie Orie (4 hits, 4 runs) started a rally with a leadoff double. The Jays would send ten batters to the plate while scoring four runs to edge closer, 19-13.

After Evan Morris (4 hits, 2B, 4 RBI) homered in the top of the seventh to make it 19-13, all eyes turned to Derek Bauer, who was a double away from hitting for the cycle. On a night where offense was plentiful, Bauer delivered a solid double to earn the cycle, way to go!

It was last call for the Jays in the bottom of the seventh and they wouldn't go quietly. Orie led off with a single, Max Troiani followed with another single. Araujo got a fly out but then Joe Smith (3 hits, HR, 5 RBI) connected for a three-run homerun to deep left and it was suddenly, 19-16. However, the rally would fall short as Araujo and Telegraph retired the next two batters and we had a tied series.

Derek Bauer	Evan Morris	Ronnie Orie	Joe Smith

Loco Stew Jays 0 - Telegraph Hill 5

Mike Araujo tossed a five-hit shutout here in game three to lead Telegraph Hill over the Loco Stew Jays. In a series where runs were coming very easy (51 runs in two games), Araujo and his counterpart, Brian Pacheco kept the bats quiet. In fact, Araujo didn't allow a runner past first base until the sixth inning.

Telegraph got the scoring started in the bottom of the second when Anthony Perriello tripled home Sean Hill and Matt Doyle (2 hits, 2 RBI). Perriello would later score on a fielder's choice and it was 3-0 after two complete.

They added a pair of runs in the fourth when Doyle doubled home Matt Barnes and Sean Hill and that would close out the scoring for the night.

The Stew Jays will look to regroup and try to force a game five when the two teams meet again on Thursday.

Mike Araujo	Anthony Perriello	Matt Doyle

Telegraph Hill 24 - Loco Stew Jays 7

Telegraph Hill put up ten runs in the second inning and then cruised to a series ending victory here in game four. This was a 180 degree turn from the previous game played in this series (5-0 win for Telegraph) where hits and runs were far a few between for both teams. Besides a couple of middle frames, the Stew Jays were out of answers on how to contain the Hill's offense.

With the score tied 2-2, Telegraph blew it open in the top of the second and it all started with two outs. A single by Sean Hill and a triple by Scott Howard (4 hits, 2B, 3B, 4 runs, 3 RBI) scored two, 4-2. A walk to Andrew Delloury (4 hits, HR, 4 runs, 5 RBI) and then seven straight hits increased their lead to 12-2. It was now just a matter of recording the final eighteen outs at that point.

The Stew Jays and Gino Fordiani (4 hits, 2HR, 5 RBI) try to claw back in the bottom of the second when they plated three runs but would need a hold. They got it from pitcher Brian Pacheco as he blanked Telegraph through the third and fourth innings. However, the Stew Jays were also held in check during that sapn as the score remained 12-6 after four complete.

Telegraph Hill would double up their lead over the next three innings on contributions from Scott Howard (4 hits, 2B, 3B, 4 runs, 3 RBI) and pitcher Mike Araujo (5 hits). Again, the Stew Jays didn't have the firepower tonight to respond and that would be the ballgame.

This was a hitter's series from the outset as there were 97 runs scored over the four games played. Telegraph will need to carry that offense into the finals against Clock Tavern to have a fighting chance.

Andrew Delloury	Gino Fordiani	Mike Araujo

Publico 5 - Fat Baby 12

Jimmy Pinkston scattered ten hits while allowing just three earned runs as he led the Fat Baby to a game one victory here tonight. Josh Rivera connected for a three-run homerun in the first and Chris Fray hit a grand slam in the fourth and that would be all the runs Pinkston would need. Publico's Patrick Doonan (3 hits) was perfect on the night.

Publico tried to sneak back into the game in the top of the fourth when they made it a 5-4 game but Fray's blast in the home half of the inning pretty much put the game away.

Jimmy Pinkston	Chris Fray	Patrick Doonan

Game 2: Monday, Aug. 18 @ 8:15pm (N Street)

Fat Baby 4 - Publico 6

In a must win game, Paul Iasiello hit a bases clearing double in the bottom of the first to give Publico a 5-0 lead against Fat Baby and pitcher, Jimmy Pinkston.

Alberto Vasquez then took the ball and delivered a strong performance from beginning to end. Vasquez only ran into trouble in the fifth when Jordan Gorham doubled home a pair of runs making it 5-4.

However, Publico got the run back in the bottom of the inning when the Doonan brothers (Patrick and Terrance) each doubled, 6-4. That would be all the scoring as another game will be needed to decide this series.

Alberto Vasquez	Paul Iasiello	Terrance Doonan

Game 3: Thursday, Aug. 21 @ 7:00pm

Publico 6 - Fat Baby 5 (10 innings)

In the top of the tenth inning, Jamie Faber hit his second homerun of the night to put Publico ahead 6-5. Then they relied on the right arm of pitcher Alberto Vasquez to retire the side in the the bottom of the inning. It wasn't easy as Fat Baby had two runners on base with two outs and their cleanup hitter at bat. Vasquez produced an infield pop up and that was the series. The seventh seeded Publico gets an outstanding pitching performance from Vasquez and pulls off the upset - wow!

Prior to Faber's blast, the two clubs were scoreless through the first four innings of play. Jimmy Pinkston was matching Vasquez inning for inning as neither team had any threat of scoring.

That all changed in the fifth inning. Erik Ramirez led off with a triple and Paul Iasiello walked. With one out and runners on the corners, Jamie Faber delivered his first big blow of the game - a smash to right center for a three-run homerun. Fat Baby escaped the inning without giving up any more runs.

In the bottom of the fifth, with two outs and two runners on base, Publico committed a costly error that led to five unearned runs. Pepe Ruiz and Greg Bosse had the RBI hits in the inning to put Fat Baby on top, 5-3.

However, Publico got the runs right back in the top of the sixth. Andrew Grant walked and then Steve Dazzo homered, 5-5! Vasquez retired the side in order in the sixth and we headed to the seventh - what a game!

Publico's Tim Stoops (4 hits) doubled but was left stranded as Pinkston got a strikeout and flyout to end the threat. Vasquez again retired the side in order in the seventh and we were headed to extra innings.

Pinkston made quick work of Publico in the eighth and his teammates raced off the field thinking this was their moment. But Vasquez had other ideas and got two quick outs before giving up a single to slugger Mike Selig. It didn't matter as he got the next batter on an easy pop out. Onto the ninth inning. Damn!

Pinkston got his sixth strikeout in the inning and again made quick work of the Publico batters. Here it was again, Fat Baby had another chance to win the series - one run was all they needed.

After two quick outs, Andrew Stover and Keith Savage both singled. The pressure on Vasquez was building but he got a routine fly out to center field and we headed to the tenth.

In the top of the tenth, Pinkston got Iasiello on a called third strike and then it was the ninth hitter in the lineup's turn, Jamie Faber. He didn't miss as he sent a missle over the right fielder's head for a go-ahead four bagger, 6-5. Pinkston retired the next two batters but they were now trailing by a run and needed a hero.

Pepe Ruiz led off the bottom of the tenth with a walk. Oh no...not now. However, Vasquez got the leadoff hitter to bounce into a force out. One out and one man on base. Lefty Sam MacDonald stepped into the batter's box and one has to think he was looking to end the game with one big swing. It didn't happend as Vasquez got him on another routine fly to center, two outs. Vasquez then walked Chris Fray to put a runner in scoring position. It seemed that he was picking his spots on when to attack hitters and when to purposely walk them. It worked as he got the next batter to pop out and the celebrating began. Vasquez threw nine scoreless innings while allowing no earned runs - an outstanding performance!

Publico will now take on the Clock Tavern Sluggers who finished in first place but haven't seen the softball field since August 4th. This semi final series kicks off next week. Check your schedule for dates and times.

Alberto Vasquez	Jamie Faber	Tim Stoops

Sam Adams 6 - Telegraph Hill 8

Telegraph Hill rallied from a 5-1 deficit to take game one, 8-6. Sam Adams got homeruns from Chris Rupp and Timmy Benson that put them out front heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

However, Telegraph struck for two runs in the fourth and then four more in the fifth to take their first lead of the game. Derek Bauer (3 hits) and Andrew Delloury had the keys hits in the inning.

Sam Adams would score a run in the sixth on Zach Barnhart's third hit of the game but that would be as close as they would get as pitcher, Mike Araujo, retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh to secure the win.

Derek Bauer	Mike Araujo	Zach Barnhart

Game 2: Monday, Aug. 18 @ 6:00pm

Telegraph Hill 10 - Sam Adams 7

Telegraph Hill got off to a lightning quick start when they sent nine batters to the plate and scored six runs in the top of the first inning. However, the resilient Sam Adams squad fought back with a pair of runs in the second and then Chris Coppola and Chris Rupp (3 hits, 2 HR, 2B) struck back-to-back home runs in the third to make it a one run game, 6-5.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the heart of the Telegraph order gave their team a much needed boost as Scott Howard, Derek Bauer, and Andrew Delloury all reached and scored, making it 9-5 Telegraph.

The two teams would trade runs in the seventh and that was pretty much all of the scoring. Scott Howard did a masterful job on th emound for Telegraph as their starter (Mike Araujo) was missing in action. Sean Hill led Telegraph with three hits.

Scott Howard	Chris Rupp	Sean Hill

Loco Stew Jays 6 - Lincoln Tavern 3

The Stew Jays offense plated five runs while batting around the order in the top of the first inning and then rode their defense to victory here in game one of the best of three series. Ronnie Orie and Max Troiani both doubled and scored in the uprising which put the Lincoln Tavern on their heels.

From that point forward, Lincoln's offense was kept in check by the glove work in the field and the steady arm of pitcher, Brian Pacheco.

Brian Pacheco	Max Troiani	Kyle Halloran

Game 2: Wednesday, Aug. 13 @ 8:30pm

Lincoln Tavern 2 - Loco Stew Jays 15

The Stew Jays plated five runs in the bottom of the first, five more in the third, and another five in the fourth to cruise to a series ending victory here in game two tonight.

Gino Fordiani got the scoring started with a two-run homerun in the bottom of the first for the Jays. Chris Hopkins (3 hits, 3 runs) and Kyle Halloran (3 hits, 3 runs) kept the rally going with RBI hits in the inning.

With a 5-0 lead, pitcher Brian Pacheco was able to pick his spots and attack hitters when necessary. The formula worked as Pacheco scattered seven hits through five innings while allowing just two earned runs.

The Jays will move onto the semi-finals while Lincoln tries to make some sense of a promising season that went quickly off the rails here in the playoffs.

Brian Pacheco	Chris Hopkins	Kyle Halloran