Monroe Senior League softball returns
Results for the week ending May 5 Monroe - J.B. McMinnions had one of the greatest comebacks in league history by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge Budweiser 9-8. McMinnions tapped into Richie (Shrek) Robinson (1-0) as an emergency starter on Opening Day against their arch rival. Shrek held the power-hitting Brew Crew to eight runs over seven innings, giving the winners a chance to mount their ferocious comeback. Jon Lebda and Matt Zepf earned defensive stars of the game honors and Brian Wallace’s two-out, bases loaded single in the bottom of the seventh provided the final two runs to quench Budweiser’s thirst for their first win. In other league action: League newcomer, The After Deck, upset five-time defending champion Tommy D’s by the score of 6-5 in a tightly contested A Division contest. The After Deck was led by Anthony Rizzi and Bruce Weyant, who immediately came back to haunt their ex-teammates with their Opening Day performances. Rizzi was 2 for 3 with a mammoth game-winning home run to go along with two RBI’s and two runs scored. Weyant was also 2 for 3 with an RBI and run scored. Scott Goldstein and Dan Politoski chipped in with two hits apiece. Mike Hanham had a key two-out RBI-single in the fourth, followed by a two-run single by Mike Kelly to lead the comeback. Defensively, John DeGennaro was perfect at the hot corner to back the solid pitching effort of Papo Rodriguez. Papo battled all game, working out of trouble late by stranding leadoff triple in the bottom of the sixth and then two runners in scoring position in the seventh to preserve the victory. Papo also had the defensive play of the game, robbing Dave Krawczyk on a missile of a line drive back up the middle. Tommy Gilbert struck out five in a losing effort for Tommy D’s. Loyal pitcher Neil Hoyt yielded five hits as Loyal Tire defeated the Captains Table 13-2. Loyal banged out 17 hits and were sharp defensively. Jim Scully was 3 for 3 and Pete Pisacano and Marty Diamond also had three hits. Mike Gregory was sharp at the hot corner and Shannon Gleeson was Loyal’s sharp-dressed third base coach. Monroe Jewelers/Jay’s Deli opened up their season with a 16-4 win over Master Chimney. James Rivera led the hitting with a three-run home run. Bill Austin and Ray Torres contributed three hits apiece. Warren Clendemy went 4 for 4 with a home run and five RBI’s, Phil Mastronardi went 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBI’s, and Eric Mayfield went 3 for 3 to lead Pro Motion past Nebrasky Plumbing 15-4. Rick Hershener pitched an outstanding game, only allowing four runs. FGFP started the 2006 campaign in formidable fashion. The hitting parade started in game one against the new and improved Billy Ball team. After spotting the BB’s four runs to start the game, FGFP finally woke their mummified cadavers up and began the hit parade with five runs in the fourth and 11 runs in the fifth on their way to a convincing 19-6 win. The onslaught was led by Wally Popailo (3 for 4, three RBI’s), Eddie Quinn (3 for 4, two RBI’s) and Russ “The Chisel” (3 for 4, two RBI’s). In game 2, FGFP took an early lead against their old rivals, Pro Motion, only to be caught in the middle innings. After a see-saw battle, FGFP finally ended up on top in a 7-6 win. Leading the way once again was Russ “The Chisel” (3 for 3, two RBI’s), Chuck W. (2 for 3, RBI), and Frenchie (2 for 2). Superior defense by both teams highlighted this very competitive meeting. In other action, C.B. Trucking defeated Wallace and Berry 13-9.