Connecticut NABA: Welcome

Week 6-June 9, 2013

The Owls are back on track sweeping the Nighthawks 4-1 and 9-2.  In game 1 Tommy Roy threw a complete game 2-hitter and went 1-3 with a double at the plate.  Mike Biondi drew two walks and scored two runs.  Both James Ineson and Vinny Daurio went 1-3 to lead the offense. The Nighthawks did their damage in the 6th when Nick Cowell hit a RBI double to score Ryan Lasella. Mike McQuillan pitched 5 strong innings for the Nighthawks giving up just 2 runs on 3 hits on the game.

In game 2 Vinny Daurio got the win and CJ Romanos closed out the game, giving up 0 hits while striking out 4 in three innings.  Steve Reiser went 2-3 with an RBI.  Jordan Colonese went 1-2 with four stolen bases.  Tommy Roy went 1-3 with 2 RBI's; and both Adam McCaherty and James Ineson went 1-3 while driving in a run. The Nighthawks got on the board early, scoring 2 runs in the first inning but that’s all Daurio would give up to complete the sweep. The Hawks offense was led by Pat Kinsella, Chad Sweeney, Mike Mcquillan, and Nick Cowell each of whom went 1-3. The Owls are headed for a challenging stretch in the schedule. First up will be the defending NABA Champions the Bridgeport All-Stars this coming week at the Complex on Old Tavern Road. (Orange 9-1, Nighthawks 0-12)

Orange and Bridgeport split in a much anticipated rematch of last year’s championship game. Bridgeport won game one 8-0 behind the left hand of AJ Nevill. He went the distance striking out 8. Taylor Stuart played solidly in the field and led the offensive change going 2-3.  Karl Derbacher also got 2 hits in the game. Orange bounced back with a 3-2 win in game 2. Orange stays in second place overall with the split and has a bye next week. Bridgeport has a big match up against the league leading, CT Owls. Bridgeport is currently tied for sixth place in the standings with Durham and Milford. (Orange 9-3, Bridgeport 5-5)

The Hackers remained in forth place with a split with the Steamers. Game 1 was another NABA classic. It took 10 innings to declare a winner. The Steamers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 4th when Mike Boucher knocked in Joe Faienza who singled earlier and stole second. The Hackers answered back in the top of the 5th. With 2 outs the Hackers scored 4 runs on back to back doubles by Jeff Farrell and Dan Kaminski. Farrell had the first big blow with 2 strikes on him when John Pember hung a curve that got knocked into the right center gap scoring the first two runs. The Steamers chipped away in the bottom half of the 5th. Steve Cuci started things with a single followed by Gary Mackiewicz's double leaving runners on second and third. Faienza stepped up and singled in Cuci to cut the Hackers lead to 4-2. Mike Maksymiw followed by legging out an infield hit which scored Mackiewicz to make it 4-3. Things stayed quiet until the bottom of the 7th. With the first Steamers batter retired Gary Mackiewicz stayed hot by hitting a hard lined single up the middle. With two outs Mike Maksymiw kept things going by legging out another infield hit. This set the stage for Mike Boucher who with 2 outs singled to right scoring Mackiewicz from second on a close play at the plate. Mackiewicz was initially called out but the catcher could not hold onto the ball allowing the run to score and tie the game up.  The game carried on until the bottom of the 10th. Pember got things started up again for the Steamers with a base hit followed by another hit by Dave Krochko. With 2 outs Steve Cuci stepped up to the plate and lined a hard single to left on the first pitch bringing in the winning run making Pember a winner in the game in which he battled through 10 innings to pick up the much needed 5-4 win for the Steamers.

Game 2 was all Hackers who won it in six 13-3. Jeff Farrell kept the Steamers hitters off balanced picking up the win. The Hackers offense was led by Farrell and Dan Kaminski who both homered in the game. Justin Falcon kept his bat hot going for the Steamers by knocking a 2 run homer and ending up with all 3 rbi's for the game. Eric O'Brien tripled and Joe Faienza added two more hits giving him four for the day. (CT Hackers 8-4, Steamers 3-9)

The Monsters slide continues and the Aftershock stock continues to climb with a sweep of Milford 5-3 and 5-0. In game 1 Nick Dzioba pitched a complete game, striking out 6. Kyle Lentini was 3-3 with 2 runs scored and Brian Thompson and Brian Thompson 3 for 3 with 5 RBI's. Down 3-2 in the top of the sixth with two outs and the bases loaded Brian Thompson hit a bases clearing double to put the score at 5-3. 

In Game 2 The Aftershock’s Tommy Stagis pitched a complete game shutout, his third of the season, with 8 strike outs. Mike Severino went 3 for 3 with a run and two RBI's, Kyle Lentini went 2 for 3 with a run and 2 RBI's. Eric Csinsi and Nick Dzioba also added two hits a piece. Southington is quietly putting together a nice season holding down fifth place in the standings, over taking Milford after this weekends games. Milford is currently tied for sixth with Bridgeport and Durham. (Southington 6-4, Milford 6-6)

Durham is also keeping place in the standings  taking care of business this week with a sweep of the Heat 11-1 and 5-4. Nick Toth got a little revenge against his former team, pitching a complete game only giving up 3 hits. Jon White led the offense going 4-4 with 4RBIs and a Run. Steve Simon also chipped in going 2-2 with 2 RBIs and 2 walks.

In game 2, Durham held on to late Heat charge to finish the weekend with a sweept. Steve Simon hit a crucial game winning single at the bottom of the seventh with two runners on to help his own cause. He picked up the win and recorded 11 strikeouts. Mike Baranowski and Ross Burton account for the other two hits. Dan Fonseca scored two runs one of which was a steal of home plate in the first inning! Byran Winchell settled down after a rough start and Chris Porter added a bases loaded clearing double to give the heat a chance.   (Durham 5-5, Heat 2-8)