Welcome to the Internet Home of the Milford Predators Softball Team!  Originally established in 1984 as ShopRite, the PREDATORS are the longest continuously participating members of the Milford Sunday Night League.

Milford, CT (6/28/2009)  After a 3-week layoff, the Predators finally resumed their season at West Shore Field, taking out Eye On Creation 13-11.  Overcoming a rather rocky start, the Predators offense showed signs of improvement, propelling the team to their 2nd straight victory.

In the top of the first, Eye On Creation took advantage of a throwing error and four bases on balls issued by pitcher Matt Kraynak who was making his first start of the 2009 season.  Before the top half of the inning was over - Eye on Creation was up by 4 runs.  The Predators reacted by scoring 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the first.  Rich Wolf doubled to drive in Matt Kollmorgen and Daryle Graf singled to drive in Wolf.  David Weiss cut a bloop single to drive in Graf.  After Matt Kraynak drew a walk, Weiss came into score on a fielding error by Eye On Creation.  Adjusting the Predator defense in the top of the 2nd, Field Manager Matt Kraynak made several key changes by assuming the Extra Hitter role and switching Rich Wolf in to pitch; Matt Kollmorgen to shortstop; Daryle Graf to left and Sterling Rector to right center.  Although this change would pay off later on, Eye On Creation managed to take a 9-4 lead in the 2nd inning on a string of hits including a long home run. 

In the bottom of the 2nd, the Predators offense once again responded well with a 2-out rally.  Barry Kresen doubled to left; Dain Runestad and Matt Kollmorgen drew a base on balls to load the bases for Rich Wolf who singled to drive in two runs.  Daryle Graf followed with a double to drive in Wolf closing the Predators to within one run.  The Predators tied the game 9-9 in the bottom of the 3rd after Matt Kraynak singled and subsequently scored on an RBI single by Rick Ruiz.

In the 4th inning the Predators took the lead after Dain Runestad singled and was driven in on a triple by Daryle Graf.  Graf scored on a single by David Weiss giving the Predators an 11-9 lead after 4 innings.  The Predators capped off their scoring in the bottom of the 5th after Rick Ruiz singled and scored on a home run blast to right field by Sterling Rector.  The Predators went on to win the game by a score of 13-11.

GAME NOTES:  The Predators offense looked much better today with 9 of 11 batters collecting hits.  Daryle Graf fell just short of hitting for the cycle collecting a single, double and triple.  Redeeming his poor start at pitching, Matt Kraynak was the only Predator to reach base safely 4 times today. The Predators stranded 11 runners on the bases.  Sterling Rector collected his first home run as a Predator, however also picked up his first strikeout.  Not to be outdone, reigning "Strikeout King" Barry Kresen picked up his first strikeout of the season.  Kresen also managed to avoid injury for the 4th straight game.

Milford, CT (6/7/2009)  At gnat-infested West Shore field, the Predators picked up their 1st win of the 2009 season by taking out Self Destruction by a score of 5-4.  The Predators, still struggling on offense, stranded 11 baserunners in the first 6 innings.  Needless to say - it was ugly.  "A win is a win" said Predator GM/Field Manager/Player Matt Kraynak... "We needed this one - ugly or otherwise.  I know we are capable of putting up a boat load of runs...it just did not happen today".

The Predators took the lead in the bottom of the first on a solo home run by Matt Kollmorgen.  After Rich Wolf drew a base on balls, Daryle Graf pounded a triple to center - driving in Wolf.  Graf later scored to give the Predators a 3-0 lead.  After Self Destruction scored 2 in the top of the third to cut the Predator lead to 3-2, the Predators picked up another run in the bottom of the 3rd on a triple by "King Carl" Mainosky to score Daryle Graf.  The Predators added a much needed insurance run (that turned out to be the game winner) in the top of the 4th.  Matt Kraynak drew a base on balls and advanced to third base on a single by Rick Ruiz.  Kraynak came in to score on a sacrifice fly struck to right field by Sterling Rector giving the Predators a 5-2 lead.  The Predators yielded 2 final runs to Self Destruction in the top of the 5th, and went on to take a very scrappy 5-4 victory.

GAME NOTES:  For the first time in recent memory (stretching back multiple seasons), Barry Kresen is not leading OR tied for the lead in the strikeout statistics category.  With his strikeout in the 3rd inning, Matt Kollmorgen has assumed the team lead in strikeouts with 1.  Could we have a new Strikeout King emerging?  For his physical safety, Barry Kresen was pulled out in the 6th inning and replaced by Fred Bialka, who was MIA for most of the game today.  Daryle Graf had a solid day today scoring twice with 2 singles, a triple and an RBI.  Carl Malinosky also drew a walk, tripled and had an RBI.  Rick Ruiz had several unassisted putouts at third base, and Barry Kresen kept the ball from rolling into the mud puddle for the first 6 innings of the game.

Milford, CT (5/31/2009) The Predators faced off against Downtown Danny O's at the legendary Grove Circle Field this afternoon.  Before the game was even played, the Predators found themselves in a bind with one of the locals.  Upon arriving for the game, a Predator player went to pick up a ball that had rolled into a neighbor's yard.  Unfortunately, the neighbor took great offense to this, and threatened to have the Predator player banned from the league.  Predator Management spoke with the neighbor - allowing him to vent his anger before he finally went home.  During the conversation - it was learned that a new rule was put into place that essentially bans players from trespassing on any neighborhood lawns for any reason.  This rule was later confirmed by League Director Al DelloRusso on Monday evening.   For now on, we know NOT to go in anyone's yard for any reason - period.

This afternoon's game did not go so well for the Predators, who found themselves scoreless for the first 3 innings, while yielding 12 runs to Downtown Danny O's on a host of errors, multiple poor calls by the 2nd base umpire, and some decent hitting by Danny O's.  The Predators finally got on the board in the top of the 4th after back-to-back singles by Dain Runestad and Carl Malinosky, and a 3-run Home Run - a bomb by Rich Wolf over the fence in deep left center.  As was the case in their previous game, the Predators were much too light on hitting, scattering only 5 singles to go with Wolf's home run.  The team has some serious work ahead to get the offense going to start putting up enough runs to win.

GAME NOTES:  Once again, Barry Kresen survived today's game without suffering an injury OR a strikeout.  Rich Wolf provided all three Predator RBI's today. No one knows what became of the ball that was to be retrieved from the neighbor's yard before the verbal assault started.  Despite the loss, the team's post game ritual of beer and pizza went on as scheduled. 

Milford, CT (5/17/2009) The Milford Predators opened their 26th season in the Milford Sunday Night League with a loss to the King's Court Dirtbags 12-2 with a small crowd watching at Platt Field. 

Along with their veteran core team, the Predators started three new players acquired during the Spring, including Rich Wolf (#71) at Shortstop; Matt Kollmorgen (#5) in Left Field; and Sterling Rector (#24) in Right Center.  Wolf went 2 for 2 along with a Sac Fly RBI in the first inning.  Kollmorgen displayed excellent speed in left including a fine diving catch in the 4th.  Rector showed excellent speed and range in right center during the 3rd inning, catching a ball behind Barry Kresen in Right Field, followed by catching a sinking line drive toward dead center moments later.

Unfortunately for the Predators, there were very few hits to be had.  Outside of a triple by Kevin McTigue in the 1st, the Predators scattered only 7 singles for the rest of the game.  The Predators did have their opportunities - being down only 6-2 in the 4th inning, however the floodgates opened for the Dirtbags in the 5th that put the game essentially out of reach.

GAME NOTES:  Barry Kresen survived today's game without suffering an injury OR a strikeout.  Kevin McTigue and Rich Wolf provided half of the Predators 8 hits today.  The Predators final seven batters went an abysmal 3 for 14 this afternoon.

Milford, CT (3/26/2009)  The Predators have announced their first two practices for the 2009 season.  The first practice will take place Sunday March 29th - 4:30pm at Foote Field.  The second practice is scheduled for Sunday April 5th - 4:30pm at Platt Tech.  These practices are also referenced on the Calendar menu option of the team web site.

Milford, CT (3/16/2009) This evening Milford Predators announced the completion of their 2009 Roster Expansion initiative, and declared their team is now set for the 2009 season.  The final three roster additions came over from LCP Construction, the 2007 Sunday Night League Champions.  Predator GM Matt Kraynak stated that Rich Wolf, Sterling Rector and Matt Kollmorgen will add a youthful dimension to the Predator veteran core.  Wolf, who returns to the Predators after a brief stint for the team in 2006, is expected to pitch and backup in the infield.  Kollmorgen is expected to move between the infield and outfield, while Rector will likely add  speed to the aging Predator outfield. 

In February, the Predators announced the addition of Ken Cronk as an outfielder for the Predators.  With MVP slugger Daryle Graf expected to be in full health by opening day, the Predators look to be at full strength to start the 2009 season.  The Predators are expecting their first full squad practice to take place the final weekend of March, with an eye on Opening Day to take place Sunday May 3rd.

Check out Predator Nation for our latest PREDATOR shirt photos across the United States!

Milford, CT (2/15/2009)  The Milford Predators continued their storied tradition this evening by holding their Winter Meeting at Bella Napoli Restaurant in Milford.  Over the usual nutritional supplements of beer and pizza, the team reflected on their 2008 season.

Overwhelmingly, the team concluded that a lack of power hitting led to poor run production in 2008.  Despite carrying the same core lineup from year to year, the traditional power hitters of the Predators fell far short of expectations in 2008.  Matt Kraynak had slugged 6 home runs in 2007, but produced only 1 in 2008.  Similarly, Kraynak dropped from 34 RBIs in 14 games during 2007, to just 23 RBIs in 16 games during 2008.  As a team, the Predators only hit a combined 4 home runs in 2008, as compared to 18 in 2007.  The most compelling statistic indicates that the Predators averaged only 9.88 runs per game in 2008, versus 14.19 runs per game in 2007.  With all of this bad news on offense, the Predators will need to put new emphasis on power as they prepare for the 2009 season.

Also during the meeting, Predator GM Matt Kraynak announced that Ken Cronk will joing the Predators in 2009.  Cronk currently plays for Warnaco during the weeknights in Milford, and is expected to play outfield with the Predators on Sundays.   The Predators continue to look for another stong bat to add to their lineup, which they hope to settle by early Spring.

(Milford, CT 2/1/2009)  While the rest of the world was watching the early pre-game shows for Superbowl XLIII, the Milford Predators kicked off their 2009 season as Pitchers and Catchers reported to Platt Tech Field.  Demonstrating their old school style of softball, the Predators took to the snow covered field to start focusing on their 26^th season in the Milford Sunday Night League.

Predator GM, Field Manager and Player Matt Kraynak took the mound as veterans Fred Bialka and Mike “Juice” Krajewski each worked out at catcher and at hitting.  Bialka looked very comfortable at the plate as he ripped a solid line drive to center on his first swing of the season.  Krajewski also got in many swings during today’s workout.  Overall, the Predators felt good about today’s practice – and look forward to the challenges of playing much younger teams in 2009.  When asked about the outlook for the Predators in 2009, Matt Kraynak stated: “We are a veteran team that has demonstrated time and time again that we can pull off a win any time, anywhere.  In 2009 – we are older, wiser, and bigger than ever before.  We will maintain our focus and drive, and expect to surprise a lot of teams that take us for granted.”

Milford, CT (8/13/2008) Today the Predators made a move to secure the services of Fred Bialka beyond the 2008 season by completing a Prenuptial Agreement with the veteran utility player.  The agreement is binding with or without Bialka's consent - therefore it did not require Fred's signature.  The agreement was in fact signed by the veteran core of the Predators and placed into effect as of September 13, 2008.  The document may be viewed by clicking on the image attached.   

The Predators wish Mr Bialka well in his upcoming marriage - and reminds Fred he is due to return back for when Pitchers and Catchers Report in February.