Monroe Senior League results through July 28
Monroe - Budweiser won two games this past week to solidify their hold on first place in the “A” Division of the Monroe Senior League. In the first game, Timmy O’Malley (2-3 and three RBIs) hit his third home run in as many games to start the assault. Rad Gonzalez (2-2 and two RBIs) also went deep. The never-say-die Captains Table made it interesting with six runs in the sixth inning taking a 11-8 lead, but the late heroics of the Budboys, led by manager Johnny Grasso (2-3), Peter Larkin (2-3) and Mike Chiracella (2-4) set the stage for Matty Casserly to score all the way from first on a game-winning single by Chuck Todd. That gave the Budboys a 12-11 come-from-behind win. In game two, Dave Degrote went head-to-head with Tommy Gilbert in a pitching duel featuring two of the finest pitchers in the league. Degrote won his league-leading ninth game in a row beating, Tommy D’s by a score of 10-6. Hitting stars for the Budboys were the ever-consistent Matty Casserly (2-3, 2 RBIs), Mike Chiracella (2-4) Johnny Grasso (2-3, one RBI) and Victor Quinton whose two-run triple in the seventh inning helped seal the win. With just three games left, the victory kept Team Budweiser on top of the “A” Division and all but sealed a playoff spot. In other league action: The Afterdeck (8-2) held on to defeat J.B. McMinnions 6-5 in a tightly contested “A” Division game. Mike Kelly paced the Afterdeck with a three-run home run - his third - and a clutch running catch with two outs and the tying run on second in the seventh inning to end the game. John Degennaro and Bruce Weyant had two hits apiece for the winners. Papo Rodriguez threw seven strong to get the win. Wallace & Berry scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh for an 8-7 come from behind win over B rival Loyal Tire. Dale Miller had a two-run single to score Bull Turner and Steve Berry for the win. Neil Riordan hit two home runs with three RBIs and Dave Drucker had two hits to lead W&B to their third straight win. Steve Berry pitched the win. J.B. McMinnion’s finally got back in the win column after two heartbreaking losses with a 7-3 win over the Captain’s Table. Mike Dowen returned to form shutting down the hot Table bats. Rob Schepis continued his season-long tear with a key sixth inning RBI double followed by Richie Robinson’s two-run blast to dead center to seal the victory. FGFP got back on the winning track this week, overpowering the crew from Monroe Temple in a 27-2 victory. Leading the way for the Black & Gold were Walter Popailo (4 -4, four runs, two RBIs) and Johnny Santiago (3-3, three RBIs). Elliott K. turned in a shutout performance on the mound over four innings but had the shutout spoiled when Walter P. relieved and yielded two runs in the fifth. In other action, CB Trucking won two games over Loyal Tire and Monroe Jewelers/Jay’s Deli and Brazen Head Pub defeated Monroe Temple 19-3. Upcoming games for Aug. 7-11: Monday, Aug. 7 7:45 p.m. Captain’s Table v. Afterdeck Tuesday, Aug. 8 7:45 p.m. Loyal Tire v. CB Trucking 9:30 p.m. Wallace & Berry v. Jewelers / Jays Wednesday, Aug. 9 7:45 p.m. FGFP v. Billy Ball Thursday, Aug. 10 7:45 p.m. Tommy D’s v. Budweiser 9:30 p.m. J.B. McMinnions v. Afterdeck Friday, Aug. 11 6:30 p.m. Wallace & Berry v. Master Chimney 8:15 p.m. J.B. McMinnions v. Loyal Tire 10 p.m. Brazen Head v. Nebrasky Plumbing The Tommy Dowd Memorial Tournament will be held Sept. 6-9. Please check www.monroesl.com for further information.