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TPT Engravers (4-0) and Schwartz Law (4-0-2) sit on top of the Norwalk Cal Ripken Major and Minor Divisions, respectively, as each team remained undefeated through the first week of May.
TPT Engravers held on to the top spot in the Major Division (for 11- and 12-year-olds) after edging Terzian Trucking, 3-2, when a runner representing the tying run was thrown out at the plate for the game's final out.
Andrew Matthews, who went three-for-three and drove in both Terzian runs, singled with runners on first and second and two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Lead runner Mike Claps scored easily from second, and the other runner, Jeff Vitatoe, headed for the plate when the ball was bobbled in left field. However, a perfect relay throw from TPT shortstop Eric Van der Els to catcher Kevin Woodring cut down Vitatoe to end the game.
Woodring, the starting pitcher, struck out four while allowing only four hits and handed a 3-1 lead to his bullpen after the fourth inning. Reliever Eric Van der Els pitched an uneventful fifth inning and got the first out in the sixth before yielding back-to-back singles to Claps and Vitatoe. TPT closer Ryan Searles then came in, recording the second out before Matthews' hit.
Meanwhile, Schwartz Law retained the top spot in the Minor Division (for 9- and 10-year-olds) by edging Furst Properties, 5-4. Jake Osborne's sixth-inning single scored Gavin Kempa for the winning run. Thanks to outstanding pitching by Ryan D'Amico, as well as Jason Mandras' two hits, an RBI triple by Noel DeJesus and an RBI single by Jack Carlucci, Furst Properties took a 4-1 lead after three innings. Schwartz Law came back with three runs in the fourth inning, thanks to RBIs by Jack Belcher and Max Schwartz. The relief pitching for both teams prevented further scoring until Osborne's game-winning hit.
Other Major Division Results
Terzian Trucking 6, The Batter's Box 2
Niko Petrides got the win, striking out eight. Doubles by Mike Claps and Jordan Palmer, along with an RBI single by Andrew Matthews, gave Terzian a 2-0 first-inning lead. Terzian tacked on three more runs in the second inning and one more in the third inning. The Batter's Box then held Terzian's offense in check as Jimmy Ray Stagg pitched two scoreless innings, striking out five. The Batter's Box pushed across two late runs via RBI singles by Jack Feinstein and Kevin MacIntyre.
Pirro's 8, Terzian Trucking 5
A four-run outburst in the bottom of the third inning helped Pirro's overcome an early deficit. Terzian Trucking scored twice in the top of the first, sparked by Niko Petrides' double and RBI singles by Jordan Palmer and Jordan O'Brien. A two-run homer by Pirro's Mike Gonzalez tied the game in the bottom of the first. Terzian came back with two runs in the top of the second when Liam Notley walked, stole second and scored on Mike Claps' RBI double. Petrides drove in Claps with a triple to extend the lead to 4-2. Pirro's went ahead 6-4 in the bottom of the second, thanks to hits by Gonzalez, Matthew Galyas, Will Freebairn and Matt Clarke. Pirro's added single runs in the third and fourth inning. Gonzalez pitched the last two innings, yielding one run while striking out four.
Other Minor League Scores
Furst Properties 9, Express Pizza 5
Addison Hurwitz, Ryan D'Amico, Keegan Agostino and Jake Buffardi combined to strike out 13. Michael Macari, who collected three hits and six RBIs, led the offense. Andrew Lesko and Jason Madras also had RBI hits for Furst. Chris Ehlers of Express Pizza went three-for-three with two RBIs and also pitched two innings, striking out five. Express Pizza also got two hits from Kyle Spezzano and a hit and two runs scored by Kobi Agard.
The Original Swanky Franks 15, Shining Stars Daycare 4
Kyle Woodring was five-for-five, with three runs scored and six RBIs. Chris Veneruso added three hits and scored five times. David Broncati struck out five in two innings pitched, while collecting three hits and scoring three times. Joe Guarna had three hits, a walk and three RBIs for Shining Stars, while teammate Jared Jones had a double and scored twice and Andrew Saint Louis stole three bases.
Shining Stars Daycare 14, Express Pizza 9
Shining Stars pitchers John David Dufort and Justin Longo struck out four and eight, respectively, while the offense was led by Sammy Aristazabel, who went three for three and collected three RBIs, and Justin Longo, who went two for three, including a double. Also, Andrew Pare had two hits and scored three times, Peter Neglia and Jared Jones both hit triples and Andrew Saint Louis stole three bases. Randy Mateo hit a home run for Express Pizza, James Greco went three for three, and Kyle Spezzano and Chris Ehlers each had two hits.
Shining Stars Daycare 9, Furst Properties 1
Shining Stars' pitchers Jared Jones and Peter Neglia each struck out six, while teammate Justin Longo stole five bases and scored three times and Andrew Saint Louis stole four bases. Pramukh Nadig drove in two runs with a base hit. Jason Madras, Michael Macari and Jack Carlucci led the Furst Properties offense. Ryan D'Amico and Andrew Lesko turned in great defensive plays.
Schwartz Law 8, Shining Stars 6
Jake Osborne's three-run triple and the pitching of Max Schwartz, who had eight strikeouts, gave Schwartz Law the lead after three innings. Anthony Pena added an RBI single in the fourth inning. However, Shining Stars rallied, thanks to Peter Neglia's three hits, John David Duforts' three RBIs and Andrew St. Louis' RBI triple. But the clutch pitching of Schwartz Law hurler Billy Neschis ended the Shining Stars' comeback.
The Original Swanky Franks 10, Express Pizza 7
In a hard-fought game that saw two ties and two lead changes, The Original Swanky Franks prevailed, thanks to two hits each by Joe Guarna and Chris Veneruso. Also, David Broncati had two hits and scored three times. Kyle Woodring stuck out the side in fifth and sixth innings to close the game. Express Pizza's James Greco drove in two runs, and John Chironna, Randy Mateo and Brian Ehlers plated one each. Kyle Spezzano pitched two innings, allowing one run while striking out five.
The Original Swanky Franks 15, Furst Properties 5
The Original Swanky Franks broke open a close contest by scoring five runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Owen Liscio scored four times and Chris Veneruso had two hits and two RBIs, while making a couple of excellent defensive plays. Kyle Woodring contributed with three hits and three RBIs. Booby Fosina, who had two hits and an RBI, and Addison Hurwitz, who had two hits and three stolen bases, led Furst Properties' offense.
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