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 .....TRAIN GUYS SIDETRACKED IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME......BATS ARE SILENT IN 4-0 LOSS TO REC RATS IN TITLE TILT.........
Hawthorne, August 20, 2004
 All season long the Train Guys hit and hit and hit. Until tonight.
Only able to muster 7 hits in the game, the Valhalla Station Engineers came up on the short end of a 4-0 defensive battle for the Mount Pleasant Rec title.
The Rec Rats scored 2 runs in the bottom of the first, and two more in the bottom of the third. All the while, the first 8 Engineers to bat were retired.
The Engineers finally broke through with a hit when Eric Lester singled, but he was quickly erased on a double-play.
The only real threat the Engineers mounted was when Larry Roche and Tom Rooney singled with one out in the top of the 7th inning. They advanced a base each on a groundout, but the final out of the game was made one out later.
In the field, Anthony Diaz made two great plays from his shortstop position to thwart further scoring by the Rec Rats.
In defeat, the Engineers can hold their heads high. While they may not have won the Championship, they are truly the Mount Pleasant Champions.
 Train Guy's Final Hitting Statistics for 2004
Championship Game Boxscore and Statistics
.....GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY AVOIDED......TRAIN GUYS HOLD OFF RAIDERS 12-7.......RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2001........
Hawthorne, August 4, 2004
It was like Casey Kasem's American Top-40 show. The hits just kept on coming, 23 to be exact. And the Train Guys needed every one of them to hold off the Pleasantville Raiders 12-7.
The Engineers spotted the Raiders 3 runs in the first inning when Billy Schiavo crushed a 2-run triple to dead center, and scored on an errant throw home.
The Train Guys trimmed the lead in the bottom of the frame when Ray Russo tripled. Russo, who has led off each playoff game with a hit, scored when Larry Roche doubled. Mike Pierce (4 rbi's in the game) drove home Roche.
The Raiders scored 3 more runs in the top of the second to take a 6-2 lead, when Jimmy Schiavo and Martin Gonzalez singled home runs. More infield follies allowed Gonzalez to come around to score on the single.
 The "bottom bashers" went to work for the Train Guys in the bottom of the second. John Roche worked out a walk, Dan Lester singled and P.J. Levins singled to load the bases. Russo singled home a pair of runs, Larry Roche, Tom Rooney and P.J. Gillard each singled home runs to put the Train Guys on top 7-6. Gillard, was 8-8 over the course of the two games.
In the fourth inning, Levin's again singled as did Larry Roche (4-4 in the game). Mike Pierce lifted a double to right center scoring Levins and Roche. After Gillard singled, Pierce scored on a double by Kevin Marchiony. Gillard scored when Anthony Diaz crushed a double down the left field line.
The Raiders were poised for a big inning in the top of the fifth, but Dave Primerano (12-2 on the mound) wiggled out of trouble, only yielding a long sacrifice fly to his counterpart Pete Minichello.
The Engineers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Pierce.
Up next for the Train Guys is Rec Rats Plus in the Championship series. The Train Guys need to win Wednesday's 6:30 game and then the 7:45 tiebreaker to take home the crown. A loss in either game gives the Rats the title. The game is already a sell-out. All fans are urged to arrive early as traffic around Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park is expected to be very heavy.
Train Guy's Hitting through Game #17
Game #17 Box Score and Statistics
.....VALHALLA STATION ENGINEERS FOIL FELLOW BOILERMAKERS 17-7..........TOP "OTHER" STATION GUYS.........BACK IN THE TITLE HUNT........
Hawthorne, August 4, 2004
Facing elimination from the 2004 Playoff Tournament, if there was ever a time for the Train Guys to break out the big bats, this was the game.
Paced by P.J. Gillard's 4-4 performance, the Valhalla Station Restaurant Engineers pounded out 24 hits on their way to a 17-7 win over their railroad rivals, the "other" Valhalla Station Guys. With the win, the Train Guys staved off elimination for another round.
 Feeling no ill effects of a crushing first round loss on Super Saturday, the Engineers steamed out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ray Russo lead off the inning with a triple and scored on Larry Roche's sacrifice fly. Tom Rooney punched a double to right, and scored on the first of four Gillard hits.
The Engineers extended their lead to 8-0 in the second, when the "bottom bashers" came up huge. John Roche clubbed a single to center, Dan Lester, Dave Primerano (3-3 in the game) and Mike Fimmano singled to load the bases. P.J. Levins, batting over .500 all season in the 10-slot rapped a single to left to score Roche. Ray Russo ripped a single to left to score Lester and Primerano.
When Larry Roche roped a double in the gap to score Levins and Russo, the Train Guys should have been up 7-0, but Russo's run was never marked in the scorebook and went uncounted for the game. Mike Pierce scored Roche with a sac fly, and Kevin Marchiony would drive in Gillard with a sacrifice fly of his own. Marchiony's ribbi would prove to be the game winner.
The "Other" station guys would make a run at the game scoring 3 runs in the top of the 5th, and 4 runs in the top of the 6th, but the Engineers erupted for 8 more runs in the bottom of the sixth, sending 13 men to the plate.
In addition to his 3-3 day at the plate, winning pitcher Dave Primerano raised his record to 11-2 on the season. Primerano was stingy with the runs, holding the "other" station guys scoreless for the first four innings, until the game was in hand.
With the win, the Engineers advanced into the round three playoff game, against the Pleasantville Raiders, who dropped a second round game to Rec Rats Plus.
Game #16 Box Score and Statistics
.....DAVEY PLAYS GOLIATH IN THE PLAYOFFS.....WHO WAS REALLY GOLIATH FOR THE FIRST ROUND BRACKET BUSTER........
SPECIAL GOLDEN SPIKE PLAYOFF EXTRA
Thornwood, August 2, 2004
Even the most casual sports observer knows that the top seed in every tournament is supposed to be the odds-on favorite to win, and more times than not, the lower seed is mere fodder, baby brother playing in the shadows of his elder sibling. Sure, every once in while you get a last seed Princeton University who stretches the mighty first seed Georgetown to the brink of defeat. Davey somehow manages to trade daggers with the mighty Goliath, but in the end, the stronger Goliath always prevails.
In the Mount Pleasant Softball League playoffs this weekend, Goliath pulled perhaps his most heinous trick off all, showing up disguised as Davey, a last seed 8-6 team, concealing his cloak and dagger until Davey, was sure he was almost safely out of harms way.
Sure, Davey is wise and has incurred the wrath of Goliath before (see 2003 playoffs) but Goliath was more relentless in his attacks than ever before. Goliath even insisted beforehand that he had only the daggers and shields that he battled with all summer.
Truth be told, Goliath had all the daggers and shields he wanted, and he still went for more. When he had Davey where he wanted, he poured on the pain. Goliath waved his orange(crush) dagger and with his renewed (syn)energy, he cast Davey in the (tech)fire. In essence, Goliath lived up to his reputation of repugnant behavior. All of the villagers were lined up rows deep along the moat cheering and lamenting the treachery that their supposed savior had shown. In short, they were actually cheering for whom they thought was their adversary.
They chanted for the King to intervene. The King has apparently turned a deaf ear to his peasants, for he has horizontal business to attend to with the queen.
So the question that has been tossed about for two years is what to do about Goliath. He seemingly knows no bounds, and will commit any atrocity to achieve his goal. Who can hope to curtail his nefarious ways so that future generations of Daveys are given a more level playing field.
Wednesday night at Kalban Field at Bradhusrt Park, cannons will be blazing. The battle will not be for the Kings daughter and all the glorious charms and delight she brings to her men, but for the crown jewel of the empire, the crown of the Mt Pleasant Softball League.
Unlike Saturday, it will be perfectly clear that Goliath will be wearing an orange shield and using an orange dagger. It will also be clear that once again the peasants will be clearly rooting for Davey.
....RATS!.......ENGINEERS LOSE TO REC RATS PLUS IN PLAYOFF OPENER 13-7.....9-RUN 6TH FOILS TRAIN GUYS.........
Thornwood, July 31, 2004
Is it bad luck or magic? That is the question the Valhalla Station Restaurant Engineers are asking themselves after losing a first round playoff game as the top seed for the second straight year to the last seed Recreation Rats, 13-7.
 "They were like a whole new team," exclaimed team owner, Charlie the Engineer. While the Train Guys were surprised in the first round by these same four legged rodents in 2003, Charlie the Engineer actually complimented his ownership counterpart. "Clearly Coop (Rats owner, Anthony Cooper) is a magician at working the waiver wire after the trading deadling passes. He really has shown the ability to pull off some 11th hour blockbusters to get his team to the next level."
The Train Guy's did have their shot to win the game. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first after Ray Russo singled and scored on a Tom Rooney run-scoring triple. Rooney would score on a Mike Pierce sacrifice fly. Pierce knocked in P.J. Levins with a third inning single, staking the Engineers to a 3-0 lead.
The Train Guys were twirling the proverbial fork in the 4th inning when John Roche, Anthony Diaz, Dan Lester and Dave Primerano singled in succession to score a run. Then, Larry Roche tatooed a double to plate Dave Lester and Dave Primerano to up the lead to 7-1. The Engineers came precariously close to a rout when Rooney's bid for a 3-run homer was snagged at the foot of the fence in left. It appeared that the 7-1 lead might hold up with the Rats down to their last 6 outs.
In the top of the 6th, the train came off the track for the Engineers. The Rats belted 9 hits, 2 of which were homers and took a 10-7 lead. The rambunctious rodents would pad their lead with another 3-run homer in the top of the 7th to round out the scoring.
The Train Guys will meet the "Other Station" guys in a 7:45pm contest on Wednesday at Kalban Field at Bradhusrt Park. An Engineer win would put the Train Guys right back in the title hunt, with the next game being at 9:00pm against the loser of the Raiders/Rats game at 6:30pm.
Its going to be an exciting night of softball!
Game #15 Box Score and Statistics.
Hitting through Game #15.
....TRAINS GUYS WIN 22-2 IN TUNE-UP FOR THE PLAYOFFS.......BEST REGULAR SEASON RECORD SINCE 1997........PRIMERANO GETS BALL FOR PLAYOFF OPENER SATURDAY.....
Hawthorne, July 28, 2004
The Engineers had already secured the first seed in the playoffs, they were looking to capture their third 13-1 regular season record and get some practice in. They did both after their 22-2 win over the Mt. Pleasant Express at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park.
For the third time in team history, (1996, 1997, 2004) the Engineers go into Super Saturday with a 13-1 record, and the first seed in the playoffs.
 For the the first time in team history, every player in the lineup had at least one rbi in a game. Dan Lester paced the attack with 4 ribbi's. The Train Guys amassed 206 runs in the 2004 campaign. Anthony Diaz was 3-3 with 3 ribbi's and 3 runs scored and finished the regular season hitting an astounding .815, the highest regular season batting average in team history.
P.J. Gillard had a remarkable turnaround this year ending with a .744 batting average, after finishing at .315 in the 2003 campaign. By far the biggest average turnaround in team history.
There is a new home run king in the making. After Mike Pierce wore the crown since 1998, Larry Roche gets to put his head under the brass prongs as he leads the team in round-trippers.
Saturday, Dave Primerano (10-1) takes the hill for Valhalla Station against the winner of Friday night's Rec Rats/Movers winner. The first seed was not kind to the Engineers last season as they were 8-6 losers in the first round to the Rec Rats, a team they might meet in the first round once again.
Round one is set for Saturday morning at 11:00am at James Carrol Park in Thornwood.
Game #14 Boxscore and Statistics
Final Regular Season Hitting Totals
....GIVE EM' FITZ.....LOTS OF HITS......PRETTY CLEVER WITH THE MITS.....ENGINEERS WIN 17-4 OVER MISFITS.....
Thornwood, July 21, 2004
Valhalla Station Restaurant swatted 21 hits and flashed some leather in the process topping the Misfits 17-4 at James Carrol Park. The Engineers avenged their only loss on the season and clinched first place in the process.
Just like the first meeting, the Train Guys got off to a fast start scoring three runs in the first inning. Ray Russo led off with a double and scored on a Larry Roche single. Tom Rooney then doubled sending Roche to third. Roche scampered home on a Mike Pierce sacrifice fly. Rooney would score on a John Roche (4-ribbi's in the game) sacrifice fly.
The Engineers couldn't handle the prosperity as the Misfits tied the score in the top of the second inning at 3 on a Kevin Clifford single, and a two-run single by Al Schwaub.
 The Engineers steamed back with 6 runs in the bottom of the second. Mike Fimmano started the onslaught with a rip single to left. P.J. Levins (3-3 in the game)followed with a single. Russo then doubled home a run, Larry Roche singled home a run, Tom Rooney tripled home two more runs, and scored on Mike Pierce's second sacrifice fly. P.J. Gillard then singled, took third on a Kevin Marchiony single, and scored on John Roche's second sacrifice fly of the game.
Gillard and Marchiony would hit sacrifice flys later in the game, as the Engineers would set a new record with 6 in the same game. That breaks the mark of 5 set against the Grizzlies in 1996 and Piazza Contruction in 2000.
The Train Guys added a single tally in the 4th inning when P.J. Levins scored Dan Lester (2-3 game, .577 season) who had single to lead the inning off.
The Engineers put the game away in the bottom of the fifth when John Roche bombed a double to right scoring Mike Pierce and P.J. Gillard for the walk-off win. John Roche finished the game with 4 ribbi's.
Almost lost in all the hitting was another brilliant pitching performance by Larry Roche. He yielded just 2 earned runs, and scattered 11 hits to raise his record to 3-0 on the season. Roche is 6-1 over the past two years when taking over the mound chores for Dave Primerano. Roche also snared a couple of line drives back through the box to save a couple of runs.
With the win, the Engineers (12-1) have a shot at their first 13-1 regular season finish since 1997. The Train Guys take on the Express (5-6) on Wednesday at 6:30pm at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park. Will-call tickets are available, and some assorted restricted view bleacher seats.
Game #13 Boxscore and Statistics
....ENGINEERS RAP 19-HITS ENROUTE TO VICTORY OVER McAVEY MOVERS....WIN 15-6 SHAKER....MAGIC NUMBER IS ONE!.....
Hawthorne, July 14, 2004
It is becoming common place, almost not even news anymore. 19 hits, every player knocking in a run or scoring a run, a total team effort. That is what guided the Valhalla Station Engineers to a 15-6 victory over McAvey Movers at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park.
The Train Guys spotted the Movers 2 runs in the top of the first, and answered right back in the bottom of the frame when P.J. Gillard single home Larry Roche and Tom Rooney.
 The second inning featured singles by Ray Russo, Roche, Gillard, Kevin Marchiony, Dan Lester and P.J. Levins. Sandwich in a Dave Primerano walk, and it adds up to a 7-run inning. That marked the fourth time the Engineers have racked up that many runs in an inning this season.
In the third inning, Russo stroked a single to score Primerano, and the rout was on. Russo would bomb a two-run triple in the fifth to score Primerano who had walked, and Levins who reached on a fielder's choice.
The Engineers put the game out of reach in the sixth when Marchiony tripled home two runs and Anthony Diaz singled home Marchiony.
 Not to be lost in the Engineers hitting exhibition is the super pitching efforts of Dave "Sandpaper" Primerano. He has compiled a 9-1 record on the mound for the Engineers and has won his last 9 decisions, yielding only 11 earned runs in his last 4 outings. He has also helped himself out with some nifty defense, and some timely hitting.
Up next for the Train Guys is the revenge game against the Misfits. The Hawthorne rat pack hung the only loss on the Train Guys in the season opener. The Misfits are arguably the surprise team of the season compiling a 8-4 record at press time, and quite capable of playing the spoiler.
An Engineer win would clinch first place and the all important first round bye for the playoffs. Game time is set for 6:30 at James Carrol Park.
Game #12 Boxscore and Statistics
....TRAIN GUYS STEAM TO 15-2 WIN....TOP MT. PLEASANT EXPRESS....MAGIC NUMBER REDUCED TO 2 GAMES.....
Thornwood, July 13, 2004
 Isn't winning great? Like, its better than losing?
Those were the words heard by Valhalla Station players in the dugout yesterday after the Engineers de-railed the Mt Pleasant Express 15-2 at Gaudio Field at Westlake High School.
With the win, their 10th in a row, the Engineers move to 10-1 on the season. The win also means that any combination of 2 Engineer wins and Pleasantville Raiders losses will give the Train Guys the divisional crown, and the all important first round playoff bye.
After giving up a run in the top of the first, the Train Guys went to work in the bottom of the frame. After Ray Russo lead off with a single, Larry Roche reached on a fielder choice. Tom Rooney then homered to left, depositing a 2-0 pitch onto Westlake Drive to put the Engineers on top 3-2. The Engineers would not relinquish the lead.
The Train Guys added 3 more runs in the third inning when Russo walked, and John Roche, Kevin Marchiony, Anthony Diaz and Dan Lester strung successive hits together. Diaz, playing with a severely sprained ankle was 2-3 on the day, dropping his average to .850. Imagine that?
The Engineers added a single tally in the 4th when Erik Lester, called up from AAA Ah Pizza at game time, clubbed his first homer of the season to right center.
The 5th inning featured golden sunshine emerging from an otherwise cloudy and gray sky, and a 7-run game clinching inning for the Train Guys. A walk by Rooney, hits by Larry Roche, Marchiony and Diaz led to Engineer runs. Pete Carillo doubled and scored the walk-off run when Ray Russo slapped a single to center.
Dave "Sandpaper" Primerano upped his record to 8-1, holding the Express to 9 hits. Primerano threw a scare into his teammates in the second inning when he belly-flooped on wet grass trying to field a come-backer. Primerano would shake off the fall, and stymie a bases loaded and none out rally, yielding only one run.
There is no rest for the weary as the Engineers play this afternoon against McAvery Movers, another division foe. The Movers are looking to avenge an earlier 15-10 loss to the Train Guys. The game is at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park with the first pitch set for 6:30pm
Game #11 Boxscore and Statistics
....VALHALLA STATION RESTAURANT WINS COLUMBUS AVENUE COOK-OFF......GIVE SOUTHBOUND BBQ AN 18-5 GRILLING.....
Thornwood, July 7, 2004
 Kevin Marchiony and Dan Lester drove in four runs each, while Larry Roche added three ribbi's to lead the Valhalla Station Restaurant Engineers to an 18-5 victory over Southbound BBQ Grill at James Carrol Park.
The much anticipated battle for the bragging rights of Columbus Avenue never quite materialized as the Train Guys steamed out to a 9-2 lead, and were never really challenged.
"We were kind of hoping for a return to the glory days when the Columbus Avenue division represented the best Mt. Pleasant League softball," said Train Guy captain P.J. Levins. "The 1983 Franzles team, the 1984 Steere's Deli Wedgies, and who could forget the 1986 Masterbatters of Valhalla Park." added Levins. While these rivalries might be recreated in the future, they are not here just yet.
This contest never lived up to its billing. The Train Guys struck early and often as Kevin Marchiony doubled home two runs in the bottom of the first, and Dan Lester singled home two more. Marchiony has slugged 7 two-baggers on the season, trailing only Mike Pierce for the team lead.
Speaking of Pierce, he tripled home a pair of runs in the second, John Roche singled home a run and Marchiony cranked his second home run of the year to knock home two more runs, and the rout was on.
Larry Roche displayed the power stroke in the third inning, when he connected on a two-run homer, his team leading third of the season. In the fourth inning, the Engineers scored runs on hits by Dan Lester, P.J. Levins, Ray Russo and Tom Rooney. The fourth would be the last time the Train Guys would see the batters box as the game was over after 4 1/2 innings.
With the win, the Engineers move to 9-1 on the season. They host the pesky Express team on Tuesday at Gaudio Field at Westlake High School, and take on McAvery Movers in a divisional grudge match on Wednesday at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park. Both games are 6:30 starts.
Game #10 Boxscore and Statistics
Full Engineers Batting Summary
....GOOD THINGS COME IN PAIRS FOR THE ENGINEERS, DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR THEIR OPPONENTS.....
SPECIAL FOURTH OF JULY EXTRA!!
Valhalla, July 2, 2004
Up until now, the infamous DeFranco twins have garnered the big headlines in The Golden Spike, but very quietly, another dynamic duo have rolled up some big numbers as well. None other than P.J. Gillard and P.J. Levins.
 Their fellow teamates have referred to them over the years as "the good P.J." (pictured on the left) and "the bad P.J." (pictured below to the right). At the halfway point of the season, perhaps it is time for the Train Guy contingent to rethink these monikers and call them both "the good P.J.".
 When you crunch the numbers, the two P.J.'s are in a dead heat. P.J. Gillard was 3-4 in the Engineers 12-4 win over Topside Landscaping and is hitting a robust .600 on the season. P.J. Levins, 3-3 in that game, is just a hit behind, batting a hefty .586. Thats is just one Texas leaguer, just one flair, one dinker, one slow roller behind Gillard.
Levins has shown great strike zone awareness having worked out 14 walks in his career, while Gillard has rapped out 23 doubles in his 4 years with the squad. Both have tripled once on the season.
Both players have also demonstrated versatility with Gillard having played every outfield position on occasion, while Levins has hit almost all positions in the infield, having also won a couple of games on the mound.
So while the question of which is the "good" P.J. is something up for debate, there is no arguing that both P.J.'s have been double trouble for the Engineer opponents.
...ENGINEERS TOP TOPSIDE.... MOW DOWN THE LANDSCAPERS 12-4....TAKE 8-1 RECORD INTO ALL-STAR BREAK.....
Thornwood, June 30, 2004
The Valhalla Station Restaurant Engineers smacked 15 hits enroute to a 12-4 win over the Topside Landscapers at Gaudio Field at Westlake High School, raising their record to an astounding 8-1 at the All-Star break.
Larry Roche led of the game with a double, and would score on a sacrifice fly by Mike Pierce. The Train Guys added 3-runs in the fourth inning when Pierce doubled home a run, P.J. Gillard doubled home Pierce with a two-bagger. Anthony Diaz, playing with a severely sprained ankle singled home Gillard.
 With the Train Guys leading 4-2, they would tack on 3 more runs in the top of the 6th on a John Roche fielders choice and a 2-run double by Kevin Marchiony.
The Train Guys put the game away in the top of the seventh when Tom Rooney doubled home two runs, P.J. Gillard hit a two-run triple and John Roche plated a run with a sacrifice fly.
Dave "Sandpaper" Primerano raised his record to 5-1 on the season scattering 10 hits and allowing only 3 earned runs. Pete Carissimi absorbed the loss for Topside, his record falls to 2-5.
The Engineers being 8-1 is unlikely when you consider the Train Guys muffed the season opener 8-4. Engineers Manager P.J. Levins was grilled by the media after the game. "Sure, we won a couple we should have lost, but we lost one we should have won," said Engineer's Manager P.J. Levins. Levins wiped a tears from his eye, reminiscent of Dick Vermiel's emotional drama when told his 1978 Philadelphia Eagles backed into the playoffs.
Up next for the Train Guys is the expansion Southbound. The Grill Boys are still in search of their first win of the season. The game is set for next Wednesday at the Duckpond at James Carroll Park. First pitch is set for 6:30pm.
Train Guy Game Photos
Game #9 Box Score and Statistics
...TRAIN GUYS TRAP RATS....14-8 WIN NOT CHEESY AT ALL....MAINTAIN SHARE OF FIRST PLACE.......
Thornwood, June 23, 2004
The Recreation Rats are the defending champs of the Mount Pleasant Recreation Softball League, but you would never know it on this night. The Engineers rapped 23-hits on the way to a 14-8 rat chaser at Gaudio Field at Westlake High School. The win keeps the Train Guys in a tie for first place.
Larry Roche again polished up his hitting shoes slapping 4 hits in the game, as did Kevin Marchiony and Anthony Diaz. Mike Pierce was solid at the plate with 3 hits and 3 ribi's
 The question that has to be put to the rest of the league is how will they contain Diaz, who was 4-4 with a base on balls in the game. Diaz is hitting .867 on the season.
"He is hotter than the Defranco sisters dressed in nothing but their satin red thongs," said Engineer Manager P.J. Levins. Levins, who also had 3 hits in the game recalled that glorious summer of 1996 when Mike Fimmano dated the beguiling twin sisters.
The Train Guys came out slugging with first inning ribbi hits by Pierce, Gillard, Marchiony, Diaz and Mike Fimmano. After that, the Rec Rats looked like anything but the team that rolled through the playoffs last year. Probably because they were just that, anything but.
As the Engineers head into the All-Star break after tomorrow night's game against the Express, they sit poised for the playoff run. The Engineers in the offseason got younger, and faster. The addition of Marchiony and Lester brothers has provided the team energy and excitement. All three are hitting over .500 at the halfway point in the season each contributing clutch hits along the way.
"They have been a real addition to the team," said veteran Mike Pierce. "When Dan comes, that is especially important to the team because he brings his girlfriend, who keeps and eye on the kids. It is like free baby sitting. The fact that he hits and has fielded really well is an added bonus."
The Rec Rats were paced by Ernie Della Vechia who slammed a triple, double and two singles in a losing effort.
Tomorrow nights game is a test to see if the 2004 Train Guys can stand prosperity. The Express is a pesky team with a lot of experienced veterans who pull out all the stops to win. The game is at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park at 6:30, gates open at 5:00pm. Only will-call tickets are available.
Game #8 Box Score and Statistics
...ENGINEERS WIN FIGHT FOR THE ROUNDHOUSE....TOP FELLOW BOILERMAKERS 12-4 IN RAILYARD BRAWL.......
Hawthorne, June 21, 2004
 Not since Reaganomics and de-regulation had their been such competition among the railroads. In a hard fought battle, the Valhalla Station Restaurant Engineers topped their sponsor sisters, the Railers 12-4 tonight at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park.
Both teams struggled out of the station as the game was a 0-0 tie after 3 innings. Both teams could only muster 2 hits apiece. The game was about to shed its humble beginning and become more exciting.
The Railers picked up a run in the top of the fourth and were threatening for more, but Dave "Sandpaper" Primerano wiggled out of a baseloaded jam, yielding only the one tally.
The Train Guys engineered a rally of thier own in the bottom of the frame when John Roche and Kevin Marchiony singled. Anthony Diaz doubled home Roche, then he and Marchiony scored when Dave Primerano singled.
The Train Guys added 6 runs in the fourth inning when Mike Pierce blasted a bases-loaded triple to right center. P.J. Gillard scored Pierce on a sacrifice fly, and after John Roche (3-4 on the night) singled, Kevin Marchiony clouted his first homer of the season, a two-run blast to left
The Engineers grabbed 4 insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth when Pierce ripped a triple to right scoring a pair of runs. After Gillard walked, John Roche clubbed a two-run triple.
This was the 4th game of the season that all the Engineers recorded at least one hit. "There hasn't been hitting like that since Mike Fimmano dated the DeFranco twins back in the summer of 1996," said Mike Pierce, speaking from inuendo rather than experience. "There was a lot of hitting on and off the field that summer, were hoping for more of that this summer" added Pierce with a coy smile.
Pierce, for his two triple, 5-rib performance earned the Ed Pope's Exxon player of the game award. Pierce checks in with a team leading 13 rbi's.
The "Other" Station Guys managed to score a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to make the game a little closer, but on this night, it was the Engineers who made it to Promentory Point first. Up next for the Train Guys are the defending champion Recreation Rats. The game is set for Wednesday at 6:30pm at Gaudio Field at Westlake High.
Game #7 Box Score and Statistics
...TRAIN GUYS, ROCHE CLIP RAIDERS 14-2, MOVE TO 5-1 ON THE SEASON.......
Hawthorne, June 18, 2004
They looted and pillaged their way to victory in 16 straight Mount Pleasant Rec League softball games. At the end of this evening, the might Pleasantville Raiders fell victim to the Valhalla Station Engineers, who rapped out 21 hits on their way to a 14-2 victory at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park.
The Train Guys posted two runs in the top of the first. After Tom Rooney walked, Mike Pierce and Kevin Marchiony singled to load the bases. John Roche hit a long sacrifice fly to score Rooney, and Pierce would score on an Anthony Diaz hit.
After the Raiders knotted the score with 2 runs in the top of the 4th, the Engineers plated 5 in the bottom of the frame. Singles by Diaz, Dan Lester and Mike Fimmano set up Larry Roche and Rooney for ribbi singles, and Pierce doubled in a run.
The Train Guy bats picked up in the fifth, right where they left off in the fourth. Diaz (4-4 on the night) singled, Dan Lester stroked a hit and with the bases loaded, P.J. Levins unloaded a triple to left emptying the bases.
 Equally impressive was Larry Roche who used a combination of off-speed pitches to hold the Raiders to 9 hits and 2 runs on the night. "Those Raiders swung like they had patches on both eyes," said Engineer Coach P.J. Levins. Roche raised his record to 2-0 on the season. A performance which earned him the Peppermill Player of the Game award
"There hasn't been this much scoring in this town since Mike Fimmano dated the DeFranco sisters in the summer of 1996," exclaimed Levins. Levins was gleeful for good cause, he is only 2 rbi's away from his career high of 11.
Engineer Anthony Diaz is making hit stake for Rookie of the Year honors. After his 4-4 performance, he is batting a lofty 1.000 (8-8) on the year.
Up next for the Station is those "other Station" guys. The game is a make-up game from a previous rainout. First pitch is set for Monday night at 7:45pm.
Game #6 Box Score and Statistics
...TRAIN GUYS TURN UNION PACIFIST, NAIL LOCAL 11 CARPENTERS 17-4 FOR FOURTH WIN OF SEASON.....
Thornwood, June 16, 2004
Usually its the carpenters who bring the wood, but on this night, it was the Train Guys who swung ths big lumber, pounding out 23 hits on their way to a 17-4 win over the Local 11 Carpenters tonight at Gaudio Field at Westlake High.
Larry Roche (1-0) made his debut on the mound for the Train Guys and after a shaky first inning, held the union boys scoreless until is really didn't matter anymore. Roche would give up 4 runs, only 2 earned on the evening.
After spotting the Carpenters a 1-0 lead, the Engineers scored second inning runs on doubles by Kevin Marchiony, Anthony Diaz and a single by Larry Roche. Diaz, a pre-game call up from AAA affiliate Munchies Deli was 4-4 in his debut.
 The Train Guys added another 2 runs in the third on singles by Mike Pierce, P.J. Gillard, Diaz and Mike Fimmano. Gillard (see photo on left) is now leading the team in hitting with a .684 average.
The Train Guys steamrolled their way to 6 runs in the 4th inning. Dan Lester (3-3 despite going to the wrong field first) led off with a double and scored on Larry Roches second homer of the season. Piere and Gillard again singled, Marchiony doubled (2 on the night) and Diaz lined a homer down the left field line.
Diaz's 4-4 (homer and 5 rbi's)performance earned him the Johnathan Christies player of the game award. "There hasn't been this exciting a debut since Mike Fimmano's first date with the DeFranco twins back in the summer of 1996," proclaimed Train Guy Manager P.J. Levins.
Up next for the Train Guys is the undefeated Raiders of Pleasantville. The game is set for Friday night at 9:00pm at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park.
Game #5 Box Score and Statistics
...RUNAWAY TRAIN GUYS DERAIL THE NEW TEAM 20-1, GIVE THE FIRST TIMERS A REAL KICK IN THE CABOOSE 20-1!.....
Hawthorne, June 14, 2004
 In their first game back in action after a four-week layoff because of rain, no one knew what to expect out of the Valhalla Station Restaurant Engineers. Their 7-run first inning explosion left no doubt the Train Guys are heating up like the summer weather, having runaway with a 20-1 win over the New Team at Kalban Field at Bradhurst Park.
The Train Guys got ribbi hits from P.J. Gillard, John Roche, both Eric and Dan Lester, Dave Primerano, Mike Fimmano and P.J. Levins.
John Roche (4-4 on the night) doubled in a second inning run to up the lead to 8-0 after two, when Dave Primerano doubled in a run in the third inning, the Engineers took a commanding 9-1 lead.
The Train Guys clubbed a team record 11 doubles in the game. "Their hasn't been that many 2-baggers since Mike Fimmano dated the DeFranco sisters back in the summer of 1996," said Coach Levins. Levins got some spank for himself rapping out 3 hits raising his average to .583.
John Roche drove in 5-runs for the first time since a 1998 playoff game against Gunite Pools, also an Engineer win.
P.J. Gillard was just a hair better, pulling out the Arrow Deli Player of the Game award with his 4-4 performance, including 3 doubles and 4 runs scored.
The also game featured the debut of the Lester brothers for Valhalla Station Restaurant. Dan and Eric make the 4th set of brothers to play for the Engineers in their storied history. The Lester's pestered the New Team smacking four hits and 3 rbi's between them.
Next up for the Train Guys is Local 11 on Wednesday at Gaudio Field at Westlake High. The union boys are known to swing the pipe pretty well so the game should be exciting. Plenty of tickets are still available, gates open at 5:30, first pitch is set for 6:30.
Game #4 Box Score and Statistics
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2004 Season Recap