Monday, November 21, 2011

DC Bullets Awards 2011!

This past Friday the DC Bullets got together and had its annual awards party. Thanks to all that attended and congrats to all the winners. Here now are the nominations and results:

Most Valuable Player:
Travis
Mike-WINNER
CNAP
Jay

Rookie of the Year:
Travis-WINNER
John
Blake

Wonder Woman Award:
CNAP--WINNER

Laura
Alli D

Gold Glove Pitcher:
Larry-WINNER

Pat
Joel
Jeff

Gold Glove Catcher:
Blake
Alli D-WINNER
LP
CNAP

Gold Glove 1B:
Sal--WINNER

Laura

Gold Glove 2B:
CNAP-WINNER

Brian
Joel

Gold Glove 3B:
Mike-WINNER


Gold Glove SS:
Joel
Nel-WINNER
Brian
John

Gold Glove OF:
Vince
Jay-WINNER
Neil-WINNER
Pat-WINNER
Travis-WINNER

CNAP
John
Brian
Jeff

Gold Glove Utility:
Brian
John
Joel-WINNER
Travis
LP

Comeback Player of the Year:
LP-WINNER

Neil
Jay
CNAP
Pat
Jeff

Most Improved Player of the Year:
Brian-WINNER
Alli D-WINNER

Blake
Jeff
Neil

Defensive Play of the Year:
Travis back-to-back diving catches to
clinch game against Newsweek/Daily Beast-WINNER

Jay’s double play in Playoffs
Travis most catches

Offensive Moment of the Year:

Lalida's "homerun" vs. High Times
Sal’s Grand Slam vs. Newsweek/Daily Beast-WINNER
Team Comeback vs. Forbes

Team Spirit Award:
John
Alli D
Sal-WINNER
CNAP
Mike
Larry

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Some Consolation: Bullets Battle Past Newsweek/Daily Beast

Both the DC Bullets and Newsweek/Daily Beast dropped their first round games during the New York Media Softball League playoffs on Saturday. I like to think that with a better hop here or there, either team could easily have been in the championship game. The Bullets lost by a mere 13 runs, and NDB only a dozen.

So in the Loser's Game - sorry, the "consolation" game - both DC and NDB opted to have some fun. In the end, the Bullets held on for an 8-5 victory.

NDB struck quickly, scoring a run in the top of the first. Just one. Not ten. The Bullets responded. After Christine Napolitano fouled out, Pat Brosseau, John Choi and Mike Lorah singled in sequence to load the bases. Vince Letterio's fielder's choice erased John, but scored Pat to tie the game, and both Mike and Vince moved into scoring position on an errant throw. Joel Press capitalized, driving home both runs with an RBI single to left, giving DC an early lead which they'd hold onto.

Jerry Cerza and Larry Ganem singled with one away in the second, but both were left stranded. DC, however, added to their lead in the third: CNap singled, was forced at second on Pat's grounder. John doubled to score Pat, but had to hold at second on Mike's infield single. Both runners scored on Vince's triple to left field, and a fourth run scored on Joel's single.

After a scoreless fourth by both teams, NDB answered DC's four-run third with four runs of their own, making the game a two-run affair. DC came up empty in their half of the fifth, but held NDB scoreless in the sixth. Singles by Vince, Joel, a fielder's choice by Allison Dugas, and a base hit by Brian Cunningham added one more run to DC's tally. Larry Ganem held Newsweek/Daily Beast scoreless one more time in the seventh, and DC won the consolation game for the third straight year.

Defensive highlights included a John to Mike to Blake relay to cut down a run at the plate, a pair of backhand pick-ups by Brian at second base, and a nice running catch from Vince in left. Jay couldn't stay for this game, Laura left partway through, and Jerry departed with an injured thumb (hope you're feeling better!), but the remaining Bullets picked up the slack, stepped into unfamiliar positions and held their ground.

The Bullets finish 15-10 overall, including 6-4 NYMSL regular season and 1-1 NYMSL playoffs.
Oh, but wait, there's one more game to go! Yes, this Friday, DC Comics vs. Archie Comics. Rained out earlier this summer, we're gonna make this one up. Last chance for softball, so you all better be there.

Bullet Box:
RF Christine Napolitano - 2-3
RCF/1B Pat Brosseau - 1-3, 2 R
LCF John Choi - 3-3, R, RBI, double
SS/3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 2 R
LF Vince Letterio - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, triple
3B/SS Joel Press - 3-3, R, RBI
C Allison Dugas - 0-3
2B/1B Brian Cunningham - 2-3, RBI
1B Jerry Cerza - 1-2
P Larry Ganem - 1-3
1B Laura Demoreuille - 0-1
C/2B Blake Kobashigawa - 0-3

NYMSL Playoff: First Round Heartbreak

Saturday afternoon's first round playoff match-up between New York Media Softball League #2 seed Wall St. Journal and #3 DC Bullets went down to the wire. DC broke out of an offensive malaise, perhaps instigated in part by their three-week layoff between the season's final game and the playoffs start-up, with three runs in the seventh. But the Bullets fell just short in a 7-4 loss.

Okay, that would've been the story if we could only ignore that rather psyche-damaging ten-run first inning that WSJ put on the Bullets. The final score was actually 17-4. But it sounds more dramatic when it's a closer game, doesn't it?

DC fell into a black hole from the start: Larry Ganem grounded out, Mike Lorah mustered an infield single, and John Choi grounded into a 6-4-3 twin-killing; WSJ then batted around, scoring numbers that usually look okay on the opposing scoreboard - "1" and "0", but they don't look quite so good when you put them together. "10"

Could the team rally? In the second, Pat Brosseau hammered a one-out double to center, moved to third in Vince Letterio's base hit and came home on Laura Demoreuille's grounder. After Allison Dugas grounded out to end the second, DC managed a few scoring threats, but little actual scoring.

One-out singles by Jerry Cerza and Blake Kobashigawa offered hope in the third, but Christine Napolitano grounded into a fielder's choice, erasing Jerry, and WSJ's pitcher snared Larry Ganem's line drive to end the threat. Mike, John and Jay Kogan, the heart of the order, went meekly in order in the fourth; Pat singled to lead off the fifth, and Joel added a two-out hit, but neither came near home plate. Two-out singles by CNap and Larry brought Mike to the plate in the sixth, but a high fly to deep right was hauled in for the inning-ender.

Meanwhile, WSJ tacked on two runs in the third, four runs in the fifth, and one more (on a monster home run to right center) in the sixth. And it could've been worse: with a runner on first in the fourth inning, Jay Kogan ran down a towering fly ball somewhere on Central Park West, and then doubled up WSJ's runner - who'd gone from first base nearly to third - when he missed second base while retreating. The very next batter scorched another towering drive that Jay also ran down. CNap also ran down a long fly in right earlier in the game, and after a terrible first inning, captain Sal Cipriano's re-aligned defense played much better over the final six innings.

Seventh inning, down to our last three outs, and sixteen runs down - the Bullets showed just a little bit of fight. After John worked a leadoff walk, Jay and Pat singled, scoring one run. Vince popped up, but Laura drew another walk to load the bases. Joel grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Laura, but Jay scored, and Pat also sprinted home on an errant throw on the double-play attempt. Brian Cunningham and Jerry added two-out singles to reload the bases, but Blake's fielder's choice wrapped up the game.

17-4, not much good to say about it. Congrats to Wall St. Journal for going on to top High Times for their third straight NYMSL championship, and credit to their hitters and defense for preventing DC from ever seizing any momentum in this one. They are the class of the league. For now, anyway.

Bullet Box:
P/C Larry Ganem - 1-3
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3
LCF/SS John Choi - 0-2, R, BB
LCF Jay Kogan - 1-3, R
RCF Pat Brosseau - 3-3, 2 R, RBI, double
LF Vince Letterio - 1-3
1B Laura Demoreuille 0-1, RBI, BB / C Allison Dugas - 0-1
SS/P Joel Press - 1-3, 2 RBI
2B Brian Cunningham - 1-3
2B Jerry Cerza - 2-3
C Blake Kobashigawa - 1-3
RF Christine Napolitano - 1-2

Friday, September 9, 2011

NYMSL PLAYOFFS TOMORROW!

From league commish Steve Bloom:

TOMORROW: 5TH ANNUAL NYMSL PLAYOFFS IN CENTRAL PARK

It's a huge weekend in New York with the 9/11 commemoration, but there's
at least one other event worth noting: the New York Media Softball League
playoffs on Saturday.

Starting at 1 pm in Central Park's Heckscher Playground (Fields 1 and 2),
the top four NYMSL teams will face off in a round-robin tournament. It's
#1-seed High Times (9-1) vs. #4-seed Newsweek DailyBeast (3-7) and #2-seed
Wall St. Journal (7-3) vs. #3-seed DC Comics (6-4) in the semifinals. The
championship and consolations games will commence at 2:30 pm.

While High Times won the regular-season schedule, losing just once (to
WNYC), Wall St. Journal is the team to beat. Having won the last two
titles, they're aiming to three-peat. WSJ defeated HT in last year's
championship game. The long-time rivals recently played an 11-inning game,
which High Times eventually won 6-5.

Don't count out DC Comics, last year's third-place finisher as well. This
veteran squad defeated WSJ twice last season, but lost to them 11-4 in
their only meeting this season.

Though long-shot Newsweek Daily Beast barely made the playoffs (with three
wins), they could play the spoiler. In their last game against HT,
NewsBeast fell short by a run, 7-6.

An additional angle is new Forbes editor Randall Lane (Forbes is also in
the NYMSL), who will likely pitch for his former team, NewsBeast. Lane
just made the switch from NewsWeek Daily Beast to Forbes, where he started
his publishing (and media softball) career in the '90s.

WHAT: New York Media Softball League Playoffs
WHEN: Sat., Sept. 10, 1-4 pm
WHERE: Heckscher Playground, Central Park, 63rd St. entrance from Westside

For more information, contact NYMSL Commissioner Steve Bloom:
bloom@celebstoner.com
347-267-1658

NYMSL website: http://nymsl.org
Follow the NYMSL at Facebook: http://on.fb.me/jl5LhW

Friday, August 19, 2011

Playoff Picture Coming into Focus as Bullets Topple Newsbeast

Newsweek/Daily Beast came into Thursday night's game needing a win to clinch a spot in the New York Media Softball League playoff picture. The DC Bullets, however, weren't cooperating, as the comic book makers scored early and regularly to secure an 8-6 victory. (Forbes knocked out WNYC later Thursday evening, so Newsbeast is in the playoffs anyway.)

After a quick and scoreless top first from Newsbeast, DC scored two quick runs for an early lead. Travis Hastback singled and went to third on Mike Lorah's line hit to left field. Mike raced into second on the throw, and both runners moved up - Travis scoring, Mike to third - when the throw to third wound up in the dugout. John Choi's sacrifice fly to shallow left plated the second run. Jay Kogan added a one-out single, but Pat Brosseau's fly out and Vince Letterio grounder left him stranded.

Newsbeast took the momentum in their favor in the second, as their three-run outburst gave them an early lead. The inning could've been much worse for the Bullets, however. Newsbeast scored twice, tying the game, and loaded the bases without a single out. Three of the next four batters were retired, however; DC ace Larry Ganem induced a foul pop-out to first base and a trickling comebacker that Larry took to the plate himself for the first two outs, preventing extra runs from scoring.

Christine Napolitano's base hit led off the last of the second. CNap went to third on Sal Cipriano's single (Sal would leave the game with heat symptoms after the inning, but his one hit set up an important run), but Joel Press's pop-up to short and Larry's line out to shallow right center kept her on third temporarily. Jeff Boison, henceforth known as Captain Clutch, came up with a huge two-out hit, grounding a single into left to score CNap with the tying run.

After a scoreless Newsbeast turn in the third, DC doubled their run output and retook the lead. Blake Kobashigawa singled, and after Mike was robbed of extra bases in deep center field (nice catch!), John, Jay and Pat drilled base hits. Blake scored on Jay's hit, and John also came home on an errant throw. Jay, who advanced to third on the throw, scored on Pat's hit. Vince lined out and CNap grounded to third to halt the inning, but DC took a 6-3 lead to the fourth.

Newsbeast went quietly again (despite a few loud foul balls!), and after Joel popped up in the fourth, Larry ripped a hard single to left center. Jeff grounded another hit to left and Allison Dugas worked a full-count walk, loading the bases with one out. Larry and Jeff both came home on Travis's rope single to center, before Blake grounded into a 5-3 double play.

Both teams put up 0s in the fifth, as DC mustered only Mike's leadoff single. Newsbeast rallied in the sixth, scoring three times to cut the Bullets' lead to 8-6. Vince, CNap and Joel went down in order, and DC nursed their two-run lead into the seventh.

After a groundout to third and a sharp single to left, Newsbeast brought their third and fourth hitters to the plate as the potential tying run. Both had drilled sharp line drives to deep left earlier in the game, and left fielder Travis played them accordingly deep. This time, both hitters reached for short pitches and popped high fly balls into shallow left field, no man's land. And both times, with Andrew Arnoldesque range, Travis closed on the dying flares and made back-to-back diving catches to secure the victory for DC.

14-8 (6-3 NYMSL), the Bullets's 2011 season finale is tomorrow, Saturday morning, against Wall St. Journal. The playoffs are currently scheduled for Sept. 10 on Hecksher fields.

Bullet Box
LF Travis Hastback - 2-2, R, RBI
RF Blake Kobashigawa - 1-2, R
3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, R
SS John Choi - 1-2, R, RBI, sac fly
RCF Jay Kogan - 2-3, R, RBI
RF Pat Brosseau - 1-3, RBI
LCF Vince Letterio - 0-3
2B Christine Napolitano - 1-3, R
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-1
SS/1B Joel Press - 0-3
P Larry Ganem - 1-2, R
RCF Jeff Boison - 2-2, R, RBI
C Allison Dugas - 0-1, BB

*box note: Travis and Blake began the game alternating as leadoff hitter, but both were allowed to hit after Sal exited the game early. Travis batted in the first, Blake in the third, and both in the fourth. We did not have a 13-person line-up in a NYMSL game.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Playoff Permutations

From League Commish Steve Bloom on the final week of the regular season:

HT, WSJ and DC have clinched playoff seedings.

If HT beats WSJ on 8/15, HT finishes 1st with a 9-1 record.

If WSJ beats HT on 8/15 and beats DC on 8/20, WSJ and HT will tie for 1st
place with 8-2 records. Who finishes 1st will be determined by run
differential. HT defeated WSJ 11-9 on 8/4.

If WSJ beats HT on 8/15 and loses to DC on 8/20, HT finishes 1st with an
8-2 record.

If WSJ loses to HT on 8/15 and beats DC on 8/20, WSJ finishes with a 7-3
record. If DC beats NWB on 8/18 and beats WSJ on 8/20, DC finishes with a
7-3 record. Who finishes 2nd will be determined by run differential. WSJ
defeated DC 11-4 on 8/11.

If DC beats NWB on 8/18 and WSJ on 8/20, and WSJ loses to HT on 8/15 and
DC on 8/20, DC finishes 2nd with a 7-3 record.

If WSJ loses to HT on 8/15 and loses to DC on 8/20, WSJ finishes with a
6-4 record. If DC beats NWB on 8/18 and loses to WSJ on 8/20, DC finishes
with a 6-4 record. Who finishes 2nd will be determined by run
differential.

If WSJ loses to HT on 8/15 and loses to DC on 8/20, WSJ finishes with a
6-4 record. If DC loses to NWB on 8/18 and beat to WSJ on 8/20, DC
finishes with a 6-4 record. Who finishes 2nd will be determined by run
differential.

If NWB beats DC on 8/18, NWB finishes 4th with 4-6 record.

If DC beats NWB on 8/18 and Forbes beats NYC on 8/18, NWB finishes 4th
with a 3-7 record. NWB wins the tiebreaker with Forbes, 26-20.

If DC beats NWB on 8/18 and NYC beats Forbes on 8/18, NYC finishes 4th
with a 3-7 record. NYC wins the tiebreaker with NWB, 17-5.

Forbes is officially out of playoff contention.

Friday, August 12, 2011

DC Bullets Hit a Wall (Street Journal)

Wall Street Journal, the two time defending NYMSL champs came to North Meadow #2 with their A-line-up and launched an abundance of home runs to beat the Bullets 11-4. With the win, WSJ moves up into second place over DC in the New York Media Softball League.

WSJ plated two runs in the first, but the Bullets valiantly threw up three of their own in what felt like it could be a close one. After Neil Hiremath and Travis Hastback went down, 3B replacement Ian Parfrey, making his second career appearance for the Bullets, singled to right. Jay Kogan, beastly as ever, plated Ian with a double, and John Choi followed up with a single to score him. Birthday boy Pat Brosseau completed the first inning scoring with a run scoring triple.

After trading doughnuts in the second inning, WSJ turned on the juices and scored 4 big runs in the third, followed by 2 more in the fourth. A few of these were absolute bombs off of pitcher Joel Press. The Bullets scored one more run in the bottom of the inning, and that would close out DC's scoring. Ian smacked a double to left, and moved to third on a single by Jay, who moved to second while Ian faked a run home. John's RBI ground out scored Ian.

A questionable double play call effectively ended any Bullets' chance in the bottom of the sixth. Blake and Neil were the runners, so even with WSJ superhuman infield you can imagine that doubling them up would be tough. And it was, just the ump, admittedly, missed it.

WSJ plated two more (why not?) in the top of the seventh, but a single by Jay was all the Bullets were able to muster to end the game. A frustrating loss, considering DC played good defense behind Joel. WSJ's good pitcher, great defensive, and the cavalcade of what has to be former minor league or college stars, though, was ultimately just too much. There's a reason they are two-time champs.

These two teams meet again next Saturday, 8/20, in a make up of an earlier rain-out. Next Thursday, though, the Bullets play their penultimate league match-up against Daily Beast/Newsweek at North Meadow #2. NewsBeast themselves face WSJ tomorrow morning. A win by the Beast would make next Thursday's game huge as far as play off seeding goes. An intriguing final week of NYMSL action looms...

Bullets Box:

OF Neil Hiremath: 0-3
LF Travis Hastback: 0-3
3B Ian Parfrey: 2-3 2R 2B
OF Jay Kogan: 3-3 R RBI 2B
SS John Choi: 1-3 R 2RBI
RF Pat Brosseau: 1-2 RBI 3B
2B/C Christine Napolitano: 0-2
1B Sal Cipriano: 0-2
OF Vince Letterio: 1-2
P Joel Press: 0-2
C/2B: Allison Klein: 1-2
RF: Blake Kobashigawa: 0-2

Friday, August 5, 2011

Bullets Lament Missed Opportunities in Loss to High Times

If your glass is half full, the DC Bullets rallied back from an 8-0 hole to tie Thursday evening's game against High Times at 8 apiece after the sixth inning before dropping an 11-9 decision. If your glass is half empty, the team let opportunities for more than a moral victory slip right through their fingers.

High Times took the advantage quickly, scoring three times in the first. The Bullets mustered only Mike Lorah's one-out line drive single. High Times kept pressure on DC in the second - using hard hit balls and aggressive baserunning to tally five more runs, giving them a strong 8-0 lead.

Bottom two, the comic book makers began to scrape back into the game. After LP Vollano's groundout and Brian Walter's hard-hit line out to right center, four straight batters reached. Christine Napolitano lined a hit down the left field line, and Sal Cipriano and Vince Letterio followed suit - with just a bit more pop. Back to back doubles scored two runs, Lalida Musso capped the scoring with a base hit to score Vince, before Blake Kobashigawa popped up to end the inning.

The third inning went quickly for both teams, with Allison Dugas singling to lead off the frame to DC. But Pat Brosseau's fly out and Mike Lorah's hard hit tailor-made 4-6-3 double play ball squelched the threat. After High Times went scoreless again in the fourth, Travis Hastback and Jay Kogan lined singles to start the bottom half. Travis sprinted around to third on Jay's hit. After LP lined hard to shortstop, Brian smashed another hot shot to right center. Again, it was caught, but Travis was able to tag and score the Bullets' fourth run. Sal popped up to right center (opposite field from the captain!?) to end the frame.

Both teams went quietly and quickly in the fifth, and DC kept High Times' high-powered offense in check one more time in the sixth. After Allison popped up to the pitcher leading off the bottom half, Neil Hiremath (a late arrival) blooped a single to center. Mike followed with a line single to right center, and Travis popped up for the second out. Jay Kogan, however, remains a clutch force, hammering a double to deep left field, scoring Neil and Mike. John Choi (another late arrival) singled, moving Jay to third. Brian singled to score Jay, knotting the game at eight runs apiece, and CNap added another to load the bases. Sal flew out to shallow left, however - a missed chance. So we went to the seventh, all tied up.

After a line out to first, Neil misjudged a towering (and deep) fly ball to left center, which fell for a triple. The ensuing hitter rolled over a routine groundball to third, and Mike - wanting to throw home with the runner going on contact - peeked to see how much time he had to make the throw. Unfortunately, that meant he was watching the runner, not the ball, and the roller trickled between his legs for a run-scoring single. Also, alas, it brought up the top of HT's line-up. Three more hits produced two more runs before the Bullets escaped the inning.

Last licks, Vince grounded to third for the first out. Lalida also drilled a roller down the third base line, but this time the ball wasn't fielded cleanly. A rushed throw went wide of first and was deflected by the lunging first baseman down the right field line. Lalida alertly raced to third, where the return throw inbetween-hopped the third baseman and kicked away, allowing Lalida to sprint home with one vital run. However, it would be the final run: Blake popped up and Allison grounded to shortstop to wrap the game.

What else is there to say? It was a tight game - both teams played good defense for the most part, and both teams took advantage of the opportunties they were given. Despite the lopsided record in High Times favor in recent years, the teams match up pretty well, and hopefully DC takes Thursday's showing as a confidence builder if we're fortunate enough to go against HT in the playoffs.

Next Thursday, the Bullets (13-7, 5-2 NYMSL) have another big game, facing defending NYMSL champion Wall St. Journal for the first time in 2011. North Meadow #2, 5:30.

Bullet Box:
RF/P Pat Brosseau - 0-2 // LCF Neil Hiremath - 1-1, R
3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, R
LF Travis Hastback - 1-3, R
RCF Jay Kogan - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, double
DH LP Vollano - 0-2 // RCF John Choi - 1-1, R
SS Brian Walters - 1-2, 2 RBI, sac fly
P/RF Christine Napolitano - 3-3, R
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-3, R, RBI, double
LCF Vince Letterio - 1-3, R, RBI, double
2B Lalida Musso - 2-3, R, RBI
C Blake Kobashigawa - 0-3
C Allison Dugas - 1-3

Friday, July 29, 2011

Early Lead Holds Up, Bullets Top WNYC

The DC Bullets ran their New York Media Softball League record to 5-1 Thursday evening with a 10-7 win over WYNC. Playing shorthanded - with only three outfielders and without one of their most fearsome hitters - the determined WNYC team made quite a game of it, but DC jumped ahead early, taking a 10-3 lead after three innings, and held on to secure the win.

WNYC came out strong in the first inning, hitting solid line drives and running the bases aggressively. They tallied three quick runs in the first to put pressure on DC; however, the Bullets put themselves quickly back into the game. Neil Hiremath led off with a double into shallow centerfield, again, and Mike Lorah followed with a drive to deep center that plated two runs. The next hitter, Travis Hastback, sprinted to second on his gapper, making three consecutive extra base hits. WNYC nearly got out of the inning with the lead when John Choi flew out and Brian Walters popped up, but LP Vollano unleashed a bomb to deep left field. The triple tied the game, and LP rumbled home with the go-ahead run on Christine Napolitano's line base hit. After a Pat Brosseau single, Sal Cipriano flew out to left field.

After holding WNYC scoreless in the second, DC extended the lead: Larry Ganem lined a single past a diving shortstop. After 2011-debuting Allison Klein popped up (just getting the rust off) and Blake Kobashigawa flew out to left, Vince Letterio drew a five-pitch walk. Mike then ripped a ground ball just past the shortstop for an RBI single, and Travis drilled a two-run triple into the rightcenterfield gap. John flew out to end the frame.

The comic book makers struck again in the third, as LP singled with one out. CNap's fielder's choice took him off the board, but a two-out single from Pat gave Sal a chance, and Sal took advantage. The Bullets' captain launched a high fly down the left field line, hooking into the corner where it cleared the fence in fair territory - a three-run homer, and the Bullets' first over-the-fence long ball on their home field this summer. Larry doubled, but froze at second on Allison's bloop single. Blake grounded to third, where Larry was easily forced for the final out.

Despite the early offense, the Bullets went quietly over the final three innings. Neil singled in the fourth, but Mike's fielder's choice and fly outs from Travis and John netted nothing. CNap singled with two outs in the fifth, and we folded in order in the sixth.

WNYC's shock jocks, meanwhile, couldn't push a run across during the middle innings. Going into the sixth, their run count remained stuck on three. But things started to fall in again, and a couple questionable defensive plays by the Bullets afforded them an extra out and some extra bases. In the end, WNYC crossed the plate four more times, tightening the game. No surprise there: every game between these two teams comes down to the last inning.

However, top seven, crafty Larry Ganem set the opposition down quickly, inducing a pop-up to Brian at shortstop, a routine fly to Neil in left center, and then wrapping the game himself with his third strikeout of the afternoon (his second consecutive start with three Ks, I should note here - though the Marvel game didn't end as well).

Thanks to WNYC. The league standings say we won two this year, but forget that forfeit - the "for-fun" game that day stuck to the yearly WNYC-DC script: a season split. Hopefully we'll see you in the playoffs!

13-6 (5-1 NYMSL), the Bullets face High Times next Thursday, North Meadow #2. Both teams currently sport 5-1 NYMSL records, with High Times holding the tie-breaker due to their win over DC earlier this summer, so this is a big game for both squads.

Bullet Box:
LCF Neil Hiremath 2-2, R / LCF Vince Letterio - 0-0, R, BB
3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, home run
LF Travis Hastback - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, double, triple
RCF John Choi - 0-3
SS Brian Walters - 0-3
DH LP Vollano - 2-3, R, RBI, triple
RF Christine Napolitano - 2-3, R, RBI
RCF Pat Brosseau - 2-3, R
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-3, R, 3 RBI, home run
P Larry Ganem - 2-3, R, double
2B Allison Klein - 1-3
C Blake Kobashigawa - 0-2

Friday, July 22, 2011

Nailbiter! Bullets Top Forbes with Late Run

Softball games don't get much tighter or better than Thursday's New York Media Softball League showdown between the DC Bullets and Forbes. The first game between the two teams, a back-and-forth battle, ended with a one-run triumph for the comic book makers, who were looking to run their NYMSL record to 4-1.

They did just that, squeaking out another nailbiter during a 3-2 victory. Playing their second game of week in broiling temperatures, DC seemed slightly laconic in the early going. A few infield pop-ups dropped next to or between fielders, but the team caught a few breaks - usually able to convert a fielder's choice on the misplays - and kept the game close until they got their game legs.

Forbes scored twice in the second inning, but also left the bases loaded in the first, second and third innings. DC's defense, however, managed to come up with the inning-ender each time to prevent the game from getting away. Over the final four innings, Joel Press and his defensive unit kept Forbes from seriously threatening. Credit to, among others, Neil Hiremath, for playing a short field (something we've rarely done this year) and preventing at least three base hits, and Brian Walters for stepping in to play a steady shortstop. John Choi and Pat Brosseau each made a fine running catch in the outfield as well.

Offensively, the Bullets didn't muster much, but they did enough. Here's how it went:

In the first, Neil Hiremath flared a hit into shallow center and never broke stride, sprinting into second for a leadoff double. He tug up, moved to third on Mike Lorah's pop-up to right field, but was left stranded when Travis Hastback popped up to the catcher and John Choi grounded to shortstop.

After Forbes plated two runs in the second, DC immediately seized back some momentum. Brian Walters lined a single to right field, but it seemed he too might be stranded when Pat Brosseau and Christine Napolitano both flew out to left field - credit to Forbes' fielder for a terrific shoe-string grab of CNap's sinking liner. However, with two out, Sal Cipriano tomahawked a liner to left that skipped beneath the leftfielder's glove. Brian raced around from first for DC's first run, and Sal cruised into second. Joel then flew out to left to end the rally.

DC tied the game the following inning. Blake Kobashigawa ripped a line double into the leftcenterfield gap. After Allison Dugas struck out, Blake sprinted home on Neil Hiremath's second double of the afternoon. Mike followed with a bullet at the pitcher, whose reflexes perhaps saved his own life, and certainly stole a hit from Mike. Travis flew out to end the frame, and the game remained knotted for two more innings.

John, Brian and Pat retired in order in the fourth, and CNap, Sal and Joel followed suit in the fifth. Credit again to a Forbes' fielder, their shortstop this time, for a spectacular catch on Sal's no-man's-land pop-up down the left field line.

Blake, after scoring the tying run, started the winning rally with his second hit of the game, a single to left. Alli's groundout to third move Blake into scoring position, where he stayed when Neil popped up to shortstop. Mike Lorah, riding an 0-2 game, came through, slapping the game-winning hit just over a leaping second baseman. Travis followed with a base hit, but John popped up to wrap the sixth.

Top seven, Joel made it a tiny bit interesting, walking the tying run with two outs, but induced a routine grounder to third to end the game.

Again, thanks to Forbes for a terrific game. Two showdowns, two one-run affairs. We seem to match up pretty well - and we definitely look forward to doing it again. Hopefully a playoff meeting is in the cards for us!

12-6 (4-1 NYMSL), the Bullets tackle WNYC next Thursday on North Meadow #2 in another NYMSL blockbuster.

Bullet Box:
LCF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, RBI, two doubles
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3, RBI
LF Travis Hastback - 1-3
OF/1B John Choi - 0-3
SS Brian Walters - 1-2, R
RCF Pat Brosseau - 0-2
2B Christine Napolitano - 0-2
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-2, RBI, double
P Joel Press - 0-2
RF Blake Kobashigawa - 2-2, 2 R, double
C Allison Dugas - 0-2

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Bullets' Late Rally Torches Vanity Fair

It's been a hot week, and Tuesday's game against Vanity Fair was a scorcher. The DC Bullets charged ahead early, wore down in the middle as VF rallied back to tie the game, and then put the game away with a late run. The game's 13-6 finale score doesn't do credit to the closeness of the game.

The Bullets jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead over the first three innings before VF answered with six runs of their own. In the first, Neil Hiremath sprinted around first and into second on a hit into shallow centerfield, took third on Mike Lorah's fly out to deep center, and crossed the plate on Travis Hastback's sacrifice fly to left field.

Brian Walters and Pat Brosseau both singled to start the second. After Christine Napolitano's fielder's choice erased Brian, LP Vollano and Sal Cipriano lined base hits into center- and leftfields respectively, scoring Pat and CNap for a 3-0 lead.

The Bullets doubled their run total in the third: After Blake Kobashigawa grounded to third in his first-ever Bullet at-bat (welcome aboard, Blake!), Neil collected his second hit. Mike followed with a single to left, and Neil went first-to-third, setting him up to score on Travis's RBI groundout. John ripped a single down the leftfield line to chase Mike home, and then back-to-back two-out hits by Brian and Pat scored John.

Vanity Fair, however, was beginning to figure out Mike Lorah, making his first pitching appearance of the year. Or perhaps Mike was just getting royally frustrated from the combination of heat and patient VF hitters. He's usually such a patient guy, too! Either way ... Vanity Fair equaled DC's three-spot in the bottom of the third, and when DC managed only Sal's one-out single in the fourth and no offense in the fifth, VF squeaked out another three runs to knot the score, 6 apiece.

DC took back the lead for good in the sixth. With John Choi at second following a double and two outs, Pat Brosseau came through with a Pat Special - a liner past VF's rightfielder for a two-run go-ahead homer!

A scoreless bottom six allowed DC to put some icing on the cake in the seventh. LP and Sal singled, Joel Press flew out and Allison Dugas grounded into a fielder's choice. Then, with two away, Blake, Neil, Mike Travis and John singled in sequence to score five runs.

With daylight waning but the heat not, Mike set Vanity Fair down in order, getting a routine grounder to shortstop and back-to-back flyouts to Neil to wrap up the game.

Thanks for the game, Vanity Fair. Let's do it on a cooler day next year though!

11-6 (3-1 NYMSL), the Bullets face Forbes tonight on North Meadow #2 in New York Media Softball League action.

Bullet Box:
OF Neil Hiremath - 3-4, 3 R, RBI, double
P Mike Lorah - 2-4, 2 R, RBI
LF Travis Hastback - 1-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, sac fly
UT John Choi - 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, double
3B Brian Walters - 2-4
OF Pat Brosseau - 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, double, home run
2B/RF Christine Napolitano - 0-3, R
DH LP Vollano - 2-3, RBI
1B Sal Cipriano - 3-3, R, RBI
SS Joel Press - 0-3
C Allison Dugas - 0-3, R
OF Blake Kobashigawa - 1-3, R

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Clobberin' Time: Marvel Pummels Bullets

Well, there's no easy way to put this one. The DC Bullets played one of their worst games of the year, and Marvel - or so they told me, perhaps trying to ease the pain as I sobbed into my beer at McGees - played one of their best of the 2011 summer.

In the end, Marvel schooled the Bullets, 18-4.

And the game looked competitive after one inning. Marvel struck hard in the first. They took advantage of a few DC miscues, but mostly just hit the stuffing out of the ball. The first-inning six spot could've been a run or two less, or we could've written it off as a traditional Bullets first inning.

Bottom of the first, the Bullets played their part - beginning to dig out of their early hole. Neil Hiremath slapped a ball into shallow left and hustled it into a double, and Mike Lorah lined a single off a leaping second baseman's glove. Travis Hastback singled to score Neil, and John Choi loaded the bases with another hit. Brian Walters's sacrifice fly to right added a second run, and then Travis raced home on an errant throw, and DC halved the lead with only one out. After LP Vollano popped up, CNap punched a single to left for a fourth run, (Note the final score here.) before Pat Brosseau grounded out to end the rally.

Marvel scored four more in the second. Nothing in the third. Three in the fourth, including a booming triple deep to left center; one in the fifth; two in the sixth (including a homer); and two more in the seventh. For the most part, the runs were legit. Joel Press had a couple throwing errors, Mike couldn't field a couple hits cleanly, Pat lost a ball in the sun, and Travis bobbled a pair of singles in left to allow for extra bases - but by and large, Marvel earned their scores, particularly after the first inning.

The Bullets ... well, we had plenty of chances, but couldn't get the big hit. The team went in order in the second, but loaded the bases in the second on singles by Larry, Neil and Travis. Alas, each hit was followed immediately by an out. Brian, Pat and Sal singled in the fourth, but no runs crossed. Down in order in the fifth. Travis's two-out single was the entire sixth-inning offense. And bottom seven, with it all on the line, CNap and Pat singled with two out before Sal popped up to wrap this embarrassing effort. And some credit must be given to Marvel for getting the big outs - after Travis's sixth-inning single, John crushed a drive to deep left field, and Marvel's leftfielder hauled it in, a spectacular snare near the fence.

Hey, we picked a bad day to have a bad game. It's over, and we have a chance to pick it up on Tuesday against Vanity Fair, so everybody take a deep breath and get ready to kick some ass. Larry Ganem went five perfect innings against these guys in a win last summer.

Thanks to Marvel for coming out for the game and hanging out at McGees afterwards. It was embarrassing, but still a fun time. We'll show up next year, I promise!
Also, a tip of the hat to Broadway star Spider-Man for showing up to support his team.

10-6 (3-1 NYMSL), the Bullets meet Vanity Fair on Tuesday and then are back in NYMSL on Thursday.

Bullet Box:
OF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, R, double
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3, R
LF Travis Hastback - 3-3, R, RBI
OF/SS John Choi - 1-3, R
2B/OF/3B Brian Walters - 1-2, RBI, sac fly
DH LP Vollano - 0-3
2B/C Christine Napolitano - 2-3, RBI
OF Pat Brosseau - 2-3
1B/C Sal Cipriano - 1-3
SS Joel Press - 0-2
C/2B/1B Laura Demorueille - 0-2
P Larry Ganem - 1-2
C Allison Dugas - 0-2

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Bullets (and Friends) Double Up ProPublica

Those holiday weekends, they're always complicating the softball schedule. With DC Comics having a half-day and many of the team's players having weekend plans, the Bullets who hung around for the game scrapped together a team, MacGuyver-style, from chewing gum, paper clips, friends (one of whom hadn't played ball since Little League), random strangers in Central Park and baling twine.

But somehow, it was enough to secure a 14-7 win over ProPublica (who, I have it on record, used a ringer or two themselves!). First, a thanks to the Bullets who attended: Pat Brosseau, Mike Lorah, Brian Walters, Sal Cipriano and Laura Demoreuille.

And introducing the rest of our cast:
Sal's pal "Bashing" Bill McLaughlin; Mike's amigos "Pummeling" Paul Flannery (last game, Little League) and Tony "T-Rex" Weston (last game, eight years ago); and Central Park walk-ons Nathan "Lefty" Laliberte and "Optimus Prime" Joel Noyes. Also, a hand for Cathy "Love o' My Life" Szumski for catching the first inning until Laura arrived!

With a roster of unknown players, the defensive alignment wound up being the Bullets' biggest concern. The question marks were revealed and answered in the first inning, as DC's defense opened the door for a four-run ProPublica first inning. Brian and Sal began to think that perhaps we shouldn't be writing this one up... But a defense realignment in the second, and Laura's arrival, tightened up the defense, as DC wouldn't give up that many total runs for the remainder of the game.

Down four, DC began methodically digging out. Mike ripped a one-out double and scored on Brian's scorched base hit to right field in the first. Only two first inning hits, but we got a run out of it. After a scoreless top two for ProPublica, Bill led off with a solo home run to right center, and one out later, Tony and Joel lined singles to center to set up another opportunity. Paul needed an at-bat to get the rust off, as he fouled off this third swing for the second out, but Pat scalded a base hit to left to score Tony, pulling the Bullets within a run after two innings, before Mike flew out to deep center.

ProPublica tacked on two runs in the third, pressing their advantage to three runs. Brian singled to get DC's biggest rally started. After Sal's fly out to left (that guy had him played perfectly all day long), Laura rapped a base hit into center and Bill added an RBI base hit. Nathan singled to load the bases, and Tony punched a two-run line drive into center field, tying the game. Joel's fielder's choice erased Tony, but moved Nathan to third base with the go-ahead run, and Paul chased him home with a rope single to left field. Pat lined out hard to third base, but DC led the rest of the way.

A scoreless ProPublica turn in the fourth gave the comic book makers a chance to open up their lead. Mike and Brian singled to center field, both times nearly making outs when ProPublica's fifth outfielder, all seven-years-old and forty pounds of him, missed both line drives by inches. Next year those balls won't clear him. Hell, next month they might not. After two straight outs, Bill laced a single to center, scoring Mike, and Brian took advantage of an errant throw to sprint home with a second run.

DC tacked on three runs in the fifth: Tony singled for the third time, and Joel cut him down with a fielder's choice for the second time. Paul singled, and after Pat's fly out, Mike loaded the bases with a two-out hit. Brian hammered a double to right field, scoring two runs, and Sal pushed Mike across with a base hit.

Bill's second time leading off an inning went the same as his first: a solo homer to right center, and then Nathan scalded a triple down the right field line. Tony's line drive to center allowed Nathan to trot home with DC's final run. ProPublica broke a three-inning scoreless streak by pitcher Sal, tallying a final run in the top of the seventh - aided in part by a too-hot-to-handle liner by ProPublica's youngest member, that ate up Mike at third base.

A huge, huge thank you to ProPublica for coming out on a holiday weekend and for a fun game, and to Bill, Nathan, Tony, Joel, Paul and Cathy for playing with us. Check that box score below: we really couldn't have done it without you. There were more hits from the five ringers than our five regulars, including two (of three) 4-4 days!
Note: except Paul and Tony, who rotated at catcher and right field, all split position are first inning/second inning-on. We figured out our defensive strengths quickly.

10-5 (3-1 NYMSL), the Bullets finally return to their homefield, North Meadow #2 on Thursday at 5:30 for their next game action.

Bullets Box:
RCF/LF Pat Brosseau - 1-5, RBI
P/3B Mike Lorah - 3-4, 3 R, double
3B/SS Brian Walters - 4-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, double
1B/P Sal Cipriano - 1-4, RBI
1B Laura Demoreuille - 1-4, R
LCF Bill McLaughlin - 4-4, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 home runs
SS/2B Nathan Laliberte - 2-4, 2 R, triple
RF/C Tony Weston - 4-4, 2 R, 3 RBI
LF/RCF Joel Noyes - 1-4, R
2B/RF/C Paul Flannery - 2-4, R, RBI
C Cathy Szumski - 0-0

Friday, July 1, 2011

Bullets Run Record to 3-1 in NYMSL - Double up Newsweek/Daily Beast

Thursday afternoon at Riverside Park, the DC Bullets topped Newsweek/Daily Beast 20-10 to run their New York Media Softball League record to 3-1. The game, however, was closer than it first appeared. A late-game bout of pitching wildness and a few defensive lapses allowed DC to pull away in a game that remained a nail-biter through five innings.

DC jumped out to a quick lead in the first. With one away, Mike Lorah beat out an infield single, and Travis Hastback lasered a single to left. John Choi followed with a base hit, scoring Mike, and after Vince Letterio popped up for the second out, Nel Yomtov (adding to his super-soldier legend, playing on a stress fracture in his foot!) tripled to give his team an early 3-0 lead.

In the second, Brian Walters led off with a base hit. One out later, LP Vollano crushed a towering drive to deep left centerfield. Brian scored easily, but third base coach Joel Press got a little aggressive and LP was dead meat at the plate. Newsbeast matched the run in their half, as their first hitter in the second crushed a solo home run to left field.

After a Joel Press single, Larry Ganem grounded into a fielder's choice, and then went to third when Mike Lorah bounced a double off the top quarter of the right field wall. Yeah, that's right, the Riverside Park right field wall, top quarter. "A thing of beauty," Brian Walters was heard to say of the hit. Travis scored Larry with a sacrifice fly, and John added an RBI single, driving Mike home. Newsbeast, however, responded in force, tallying four runs in the bottom half, making it a one-run game.

Fourth inning: Nel, CNap and Brian singled to load the bases, and Sal Cipriano drove home a run with an RBI fielder's choice. LP added a second run with a ground out. Laura Demoreuille and Joel walked to load the bases, but Pat Brosseau popped out to stall the threat. Newsbeast scored a single run in the fourth, and after a scoreless turn by the Bullets, another in the fifth to again keep the game close. The comic book makers held an 8-7 edge going into the sixth. And that's when the game got out of hand.

After Nel lined a base hit to center and CNap lined out to third, Brian and Sal took back-to-back walks. LP doubled for two runs, and Laura did the same. Joel popped up for the second out, but Larry Ganem drove home another run with a two-out single to center. Mike added a hit, and then Travis and John doubled for three more runs. The eight run outburst put the game nearly out of reach; Newsbeast, however, remained resilient, scoring once in the bottom half, another long solo homer from their clean-up hitter.

DC tacked on quickly in the seventh. Singles by Nel and Brian, sandwiched around CNap's walk, loaded the bases for Sal, who unloaded a long drive to left field, making for an easy grand slam homer. LP, Laura and Joel went down in sequence then, which is probably good - it was getting pretty dark.

Newsbeast scored twice in the last of the seventh, giving us our final 20-10 score.

9-5 (3-1 NYMSL), the Bullets (and some friends, it seems) play ProPublica this evening on Great Lawn #3.

Bullet Box:
OF/C Pat Brosseau 0-2 / P Larry Ganem 1-2, 2 R, RBI
3B Mike Lorah - 4-4, 3 R, double
LF Travis Hastback - 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, double, sac fly
C John Choi - 3-4, R, 3 RBI, double
OF Vince Letterio - 0-4
SS Nel Yomtov - 4-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, triple
2B Christine Napolitano - 1-3, R, BB
OF/C Brian Walters - 3-3, 4 R, BB
OF/C Sal Cipriano - 1-3, 2 R, 5 RBI, BB, home run
DH LP Vollano - 2-4, R, 4 RBI, double, triple
1B Laura Demoreuille - 1-3, R, 2 RBI, BB, double
SS Joel Press - 1-3, BB

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Bullets Rolling: DC Tops The Economist

The DC Bullets are coming together. The bats are heating up with the weather, the defense is playing smooth and confident, and the wins are following. Monday night, the Bullets won their fourth in a row, topping The Economist 16-3 on North Meadow #10.

The Bullets scored - in unusual fashion - consistently throughout the game. Three runs each in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings, and four in the second, before they relaxed somewhat and eased through the sixth and seventh innings.

First: Pat Brosseau tripled to right and scored on Mike Lorah's base hit. John Choi roped a double to the left field gap, scoring Mike, and after Jay Kogan's fly out, Vince Letterio drove John home with a base hit to left.

In the second, singles by Nel Yomtov, Brian Walters and Sal Cipriano loaded the bases. B&N.com's Emily Winter, helping the team out and playing a terrific second base, drove in a run with a groundout before Pat cleared the deck with a two-run double. Pat took third on the throw home and scored in Mike's grounder back to the mound.

After The Economist broke through against Joel Press in the third with a run, Jay and Vince led off the bottom half with singles. They were nearly stranded when Joel lined to shortstop and Allison Dugas struck out, but Nel drilled a double down the line, scoring Jay, and then Brian brought Vince and Nel home with a line drive to right.

In response to giving up a run, Joel threw the ultimate shutdown fourth inning. Three pitches, three outs, including a leaping spear by Mike at third base. DC nearly matched the feat. Emily flew out to shallow left and Pat popped up, but Mike lined a single to left, John did the same, and Jay cashed in both runners with an opposite-field triple. Vince picked up an RBI with another single, his third of the game.

After a two-run top of the fifth, DC capped the scoring with three more during their turn at the plate. Nel, Brian, Sal and Emily singled to start the inning, and after Pat's fly to shallow right, Mike blooped a base hit to right field. John added a sacrifice fly as well.

For DC in the sixth, Nel and Brian picked up two-out singles, but were left stranded, and after both teams agreed to play an extra inning, DC managed two-out singles by Mike and John in the seventh.

A big hand to Emily for coming out and being our second female. You're welcome back any time. Thanks also to The Economist; we hope you enjoyed the game! And kudos to the Bullet defense - with only eleven players, every outfielder and all three guys on the infield spent an inning on the bench, and the defense made all the expected plays no matter who manned each position. A couple scoops from Sal, rock-solid defense in the middle from Nel and Emily, and good range and smart throws from the entire outfield prevented The Economist from ever getting any momentum on their side. Well done, team!

8-5 (2-1 NYMSL), the Bullets have another big New York Media Softball League game this Thursday, as they meet Daily Beast/Newsweek at Riverside Park at 7pm.

Bullets Box:

RF Pat Brosseau - 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, double, triple
3B Mike Lorah - 4-5, 2 R, 3 RBI
LF John Choi - 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, double, sac fly
RCF Jay Kogan - 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, triple
LCF Vince Letterio - 3-4, R, 2 RBI
P Joel Press - 1-4
C Allison Dugas - 0-4
SS Nel Yomtov - 4-4, 3 R, RBI, double
UT Brian Walters - 4-4, 2 R, 2 RBI
1B Sal Cipriano - 2-4, 2 R
2B Emily Winter - 1-4, 2 RBI

Friday, June 24, 2011

DC Bullets Score Late to Win NYMSL Match-up with Forbes

Forbes came into Thursday evening's game undefeated in their first season in the New York Media Softball League. Okay, sure, they were 1-0 and it's a small sample, but they hadn't lost. After sluggish starts by both offenses and a back-and-forth affair late, the Bullets triumphed 9-8.

DC grabbed a quick first-inning lead, as Neil Hiremath singled and went to third on Mike Lorah's base hit to right. Pat Brosseau's fielder's choice scored Neil. After Jay Kogan's fly out to left, John Choi singled, but Joel Press grounded into a fielder's choice to end the frame. The Bullets then went in order in the second (including Allison Dugas being robbed when the short left fielder threw her out at first) and mustered only Brian Walters' leadoff single in the third.

Fortunately, Larry Ganem and the Bullet defense kept Forbes off the board entirely, and DC clung to a tight 1-0 lead after three innings. The comic book makers tacked on a run in the fourth, when Mike crushed a double to right center, moved to third on Pat's groundout and scored on Jay's sacrifice fly. Unfortunately, the top of Forbes' line-up found their rhythm the second time through against Larry - Forbes tallied five fourth-inning runs, capped by a home run over the towering right field wall on the Riverside Park field.

The Bullets persevered - "If they can score five, so can we." Actually, for a moment, it almost didn't happen. Lalida Musso, playing her first game for the East Coast branch, singled and moved to second on an overthrow. Being unfamiliar with the league rules, she led away from second base on the first pitch to LP Vollano - and the umpire called her out! After some arguing, consultation with Commissioner Steve Bloom and Forbes' good sportsmanship, Lalida got away with a warning and remained on second. LP grounded back to the pitcher, who pivoted and attempted to throw in behind Lalida at second - she got back before the tag, and LP hustled down to first safely.

Sal roped a ball into the hole between third and shortstop, but Forbes' shortstop made a ridiculous backhand play and tossed to third to force Lalida. That's a tough fielder's choice. (And it was the second crazy awesome backhand play that guy made against us.) After Brian Walters lined out to the short fielder in right field, a five-run inning seemed unlikely. But CNap lined a base hit to left, loading the bases, and Jeff Boison cashed in two runs with a line drive to center, with CNap and Jeff both alerting moving up on the throw home. Neil singled to center, scoring CNap and Jeff, and then Neil capped the scoring by never slowing down, coming all the way around from first on Mike's hammered line drive to center.

Forbes tallied another run in their half of the fifth, keeping it a one-run game. The Bullets missed a chance to add to their lead in the sixth. Joel worked a two-out walk, went to third on Alli's single, but was left stranded when LP flew out. Probably didn't help that John didn't run hard to first on a line drive into shallow left. The overly aggressive, and strong-armed short fielder threw him out. Last of the sixth, with one aboard, a Forbes hitter drilled a rope down the left field line, where it rolled and rolled...

and rolled...

and rolled...

and rolled. Both runners scored before John even caught up to the ball, and Forbes took a one run lead to the seventh. But hey, the Bullets are nothing if not resilient. And I told you we won in the lead. Sal led off the seventh with an infield single and took second on an overthrow. After Brian popped out to the catcher, CNap singled and moved Sal to third. Jeff's grounder through the middle scored Sal, tying the game. CNap hustled around to third on the play, and Larry Ganem collected the game-winning RBI with a single to left field. A bigger inning came up short when Mike grounded into a 6-3 double play, but that didn't matter: after a bottom seven leadoff single, Larry induced three ground balls, ending the game with consecutive 5-4, 6-4, 6-4 fielder's choices.

First of all, a big welcome and thanks to Forbes. It was a terrific game, lots of back and forth, and I think I speak for all the Bullets that we can't wait for the rematch! And a thank you to Lalida Musso for coming out for the game during her brief East Coast visit. You're welcome to play again any time, and never mind all those nasty things CNap says about you!

Credit also to some defensive highlights: Sal's sliding catch of a popup that fell between the branches of an overhanging tree, Mike's backhand stab, and catches made near the wall in right field by Brian and Jay.

7-5 (2-1 NYMSL), the Bullets meet The Economist on Monday, North Meadow #10.

Bullet Box:
LCF Neil Hiremath - 2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI / P Larry Ganem - 1-2, RBI
3B Mike Lorah - 3-4, R, RBI, double
RF Pat Brosseau - 0-3, RBI
RCF Jay Kogan - 0-2, RBI
LF John Choi - 2-3
SS Joel Press - 0-2, BB
C Allison Dugas - 1-2 / 2B Lalida Musso - 1-1
DH LP Vollano 0-3, R
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-3, 2 R
RCF Brian Walters - 1-3
C/2B - Christine Napolitano - 2-3, 2 R
RF Jeff Boison - 2-3, R, 3 RBI

Thursday, June 23, 2011

In the Swing of Things: Bullets Beat up NY Magazine

Playing the miniscule Walker Park proved a tonic for the DC Bullets' embattled offense. Per New York Magazine's rules, the game went nine innings, only three outfielders patrolled the abbreviated expanse of turf, and both teams were limited to three over-the-fence homeruns on a field whose fence is only 200 ft from home plate. It is a fairly high fence, but damn, it's a short one. Thirty hits, including eight for extra bases, paved the way for an 18-5 Bullet win.

DC, however, played rare game without benefit of any Y chromosomes. Where were you, ladies?

Anyway, after Neil Hiremath's popup, the Bullets struck quickly in the top of the first. Mike Lorah lined a single off the pitcher's glove, and Pat Brosseau doubled off the base of the fence. Jay Kogan wasted no time claiming the first home run, crushing a three-run jack over the left field wall (and the street beyond that). NY Mag's clean-up hitter returned the favor in the bottom half, but with one less runner aboard.

The comic book makers put the game away early, scoring nine times in the second, sending fourteen hitters to the plate. After Sal Cipriano's groundout, six straight reached: John Choi singled, Vince Letterio doubled, and Brian Walters drove them both home with a rocket off the right field fence. Larry Ganem legged out an infield single, and Neil lined a base hit to center to load the bases. Mike took advantage of the traffic jam on the bases, homering to center field. After Pat grounded out for the second out, Jay couldn't resist - lining a solo (and the team's last) home run over the fence in right center. Travis Hastback singled, Nel Yomtov doubled, Sal drove in a run with a shot to left, and John did the same before Vince flew out to end the rally.

With the home runs used up, the bats started to look tentative in the middle innings. Neil's two-out single was the only base runner in the third; Jay's base hit the only in the fourth; and DC mustered only singles by John and Vince in the fifth.

Larry Ganem, however, never let NY Mag get any closer, inducing routine popups and groundouts through the middle innings.

DC got back on the board in the sixth. Mike legged out a one-out infield single, moved to second on Pat's hit, to third on Jay's fielder's choice, and then scored on Travis's line single to left.
Travis's first RBI of the year!

Seventh: Sal singled, went first to third on John's single, and John took second on the throw. Vince cashed them both in with a base hit. After Brian grounded out, Larry singled, Neil did the same, driving in Vince, and Mike singled to right to load the bases. Pat popped out, and Jay came up with the bases loaded. Too bad he used the last home run on a solo job! Never the less, Jay lined a two-run single to center to cap a five-run inning and the Bullets' scoring. (Nel did pop one over the fence in the eighth, but that one counted as an out.)

NY Mag tacked on single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth. Along the way, Larry got their clean-up hitter, who'd homered in the first, to ground into an easy force play with two aboard and two out, and Mike made a nice play on a popup in shallow left.

6-5 (1-1 NYMSL), the Bullets face NYMSL newcomer Forbes tonight (weather pending).

Bullet Box:
OF Neil Hiremath - 3-6, 2 R, RBI
3B Mike Lorah - 4-6, 3 R, 4 RBI, home run
C/2B Pat Brosseau - 2-5, R, double
OF Jay Kogan - 4-5, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 home runs
OF Travis Hastback - 2-5, R, RBI
SS Nel Yomtov - 1-5, R, double
1B Sal Cipriano - 2-5, R, RBI, double
OF John Choi - 4-5, 2 R, RBI, double
OF Vince Letterio - 4-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, double
C/2B Brian Walters - 2-5, R, 2 RBI, double
P Larry Ganem - 2-5, 2 R

Friday, June 17, 2011

Bullets Overcome Sluggish Start, Triumph Over Scientific American

Last week, the DC Bullets had one opponent cancel a game and a second game rained out. In the early innings of this Thursday's game against Scientific American (henceforth referred to as SA because I don't want to type it all out), the rusty bats were in evidence, but the team got more comofortable and confident as the game rolled along. A nailbiter in the early innings evolved into a comfortable victory for DC, as they rolled to a 7-1 win.

While the offense looked comatose in the early going, the DC defense showcased its range and efficiency all afternoon. SA managed only one baserunner in the first, and that only because Nel Yomtov, the super-soldier, attempted to field a groundball with is teeth. Fortunately, they're all secured very well and stayed in place.

Bottom one, DC got a quick lead, but the momentum stalled just as rapidly. Neil Hiremath lined a hit into shallow center and hustled it into a double, and then Mike Lorah caught a break when SA's first and second basemen miscommunicated on a pop-up, playing it into an RBI single. After Pat Brosseau's fly out to deep left, Travis Hastback singled, moving Mike into scoring position, but Joel Press popped up and Nel grounded to the third baseman.

The opposition scored their only run in the second, temporarily tying the game, and after Christine Napolitano's leadoff single, the Bullets went down in order. After a scoreless third for SA, Larry Ganem manufactured the go-ahead and eventual winning run for the Bullets.

Larry stroked a single to center and, on Neil's one-out single, went first to third, drawing a throw from the SA centerfielder, which went wild into the dugout, enabling Larry to stroll home with the lead. A groundout by Mike and popup from Pat prevented further scoring.

The defense, as mentioned earlier, showed off in the top of the fourth. SA's leadoff hitter drilled a long triple to left field, putting the tying run just 60 feet away. The next batter lofted a soft pop into shallow center, and the runner went halfway down the base line, waiting for the ball to drop in. But Vince Letterio, coming from nowhere, snowconed the ball for the first out, and the runner retreated to third. The runner again broke for home when the next hitter grounded a ball to third base, but Mike, realizing the Bullets' offense wasn't firing on all cylinders, threw home to CNap covering to start a rundown that culminated in a 5-2-5 put-out. One more routine out and the final scoring threat of the afternoon was past.

In the fifth, the Bullets finally started to settle in in the batter's box. Sal Cipriano hammered a double down the left field line, and went to third on Vince's single. John Choi's popup fell into no man's land in shallow left, scoring Sal and putting two more in scoring position. And Larry Ganem cashed both runs in with a check-swing grounder into right field.

Twice more the Bullets scored in the sixth, as Pat singled and Travis doubled to start the frame. Joel's RBI groundout added a run, and Nel's double a second.

Other defensive highlights included Jeff Boison's two outstanding catches in right field in the seventh, and Neil Hiremath's charging catch in the fifth (I think).

5-5 (1-1 in NYMSL), the Bullets play three games next week. Tuesday, it's New York Magazine on the old Newsweek field; first-ever meeting with Forbes, a newcomer to the NYMSL, at Riverside Park on Thursday; and a Friday rematch against The Nation on their downtown field.

Bullet Box Score:
RCF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, R, double
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3, RBI
RF Pat Brosseau - 1-3, R
LF Travis Hastback - 3-3, R, double
2B Joel Press - 0-3, RBI
SS Nel Yomtov - 1-3, RBI, double
C Christine Napolitano - 2-3
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-3, R, double
LCF Vince Letterio - 1-3, R
LF John Choi - 1-2, R, RBI, double
P Larry Ganem - 2-2, R, 2 RBI
RF Jeff Boison - 0-2

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Smoked! Valiant Bullets Stung by High Times

There's good and there's bad in every game. The dark cloud in Friday's silver lining is that the High Times Bonghitters bested our DC Bullets 12-5. On a more positive note, however, the Bullets played a much sharper game than the previous day's lackluster effort against truTV.

I can only recall two egregious errors in the High Times game, both dropped pop-ups that were turned into fielder's choices anyway. Third baseman Mike Lorah rushed a throw and wound up giving away an extra base on the overthrow, but the runner would've been safe at first anyway and didn't score in the end. In short, the game turned out to be a solid defensive effort and a reminder how capable the Bullet's defense can be. Alas, the High Times team just lit up Larry Ganem with hard line drives in the early innings to build up a quick and insurmountable lead, and the Bullet offense continues to press. Jay Kogan's been locked in and Pat Brosseau's a hitting machine right now; the rest of the bats have scuffled, however.

In the first, after Neil Hiremath's pop-up, Nel Yomtov started things up with a single. Mike Lorah's early season struggles continued, however, as he's either trying to do too much or when he does hit the ball well, it seems to go right to somebody. This time, High Times pitcher snared a screaming liner and doubled Nel off first to close out the inning.

High Times' leadoff hitter immediately homered to centerfield, an ominous start for sure, and the Bonghitters scored six times in the bottom of the first, all the runs they'd need. But they added four in the second and two in the fourth for good measure.

DC got on the board in the second, as Jay Kogan led off with a double. Pat Brosseau followed with a hard line drive single to the left fielder. Jay had to hold at third, as the ball got to the outfield so quickly. Joel Press's RBI single got Jay home, but three straight fly ball outs from CNap, Sal Cipriano and Vince Letterio stalled the momentum.

Brian Walters singled to start the third, but was doubled off on Laura Demoreuille's line drive back to the pitcher. Larry Ganem flew out to end the third.

Neil's single, Nel's fielder's choice and Mike's double off the edge of the centerfielder's outstretched glove (the relay back to the infield was abetted by sunbathers - I felt I should've been awarded an extra base, but what can you do? ;) set up Jay Kogan's two-run single in the fourth, but back-to-back groundouts ended the threat, and the Bullets went in order in the fifth and sixth innings.

In fact, with Neil's fly out to start the seventh, nine straight Bullets were retired from the fourth through seventh innings. Nel ended that streak through with a one-out single, but Mike (trying to do too much) popped up to center for the second out. Jay worked a walk to move Nel into scoring position, and Pat cashed him in with a base hit. Joel singled to load the bases, and CNap drove home another with a single to left. But Sal grounded out to shortstop to wrap the game.

4-5 (1-1 NYMSL), the Bullets have two games this week. Comedy Central comes to North Meadow #2 on Thursday, and the Bullets travel to North Meadow #7 on Saturday morning for an NYMSL showdown against 2010 champion (but two-time regular season loser to DC!) Wall St. Journal.

Bullets Box:
LCF Neil Hiremath - 1-3
SS Nel Yomtov - 2-3, 2 R
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3, R, double
LF Jay Kogan - 2-2, 2R, 2 RBI, BB, double
OF Pat Brosseau - 2-3, RBI
OF Joel Press - 2-3, RBI
2B/RF Christine Napolitano - 1-3, RBI
OF/1B Sal Cipriano - 0-3
LF Vince Letterio - 0-2
OF Brian Walters - 1-2
1B/2B Laura Demoruielle - 0-2
P Larry Ganem - 0-2

Friday, June 3, 2011

No Lying: Total Team Effort in Bullets' Loss to truTV

I was offered a few bribes to not write this one up. And I didn't really need one to think over the possibility of "being too busy".

But here it is: Thursday, the DC Bullets matched up against truTV for the first time ever. Here's what you need to know: seven innings, a meager ten hits - only one for extra bases. Four three up-three down innings. And only four hits after the first inning. Add in one of the Bullets' sloppier defense days - a couple throwing errors from Mike Lorah and Nel Yomtov, Vince Letterio's dropped fly ball, a popup lost in the sun by Sal Cipriano, and twice that pitcher Pat Brosseau fielded a comebacker and went to first rather than taking out a lead runner, and the Bullets afforded the opposition a few extra runners and a few extra bases.

None of this should take anything away from truTV. They took advantage of DC's defensive miscues, and their leadoff hitter smoked one of the few over-the-fence home runs witnessed at North Meadow #2. And even with the misplays, truTV mustered only 9 runs in seven innings, but it was enough for a 9-6 win over the comic book makers.

Ironically, the game looked like a slugfest in the early going. truTV scored four times in the top of the first, and it was probably the most solid defensive inning DC played all afternoon. The balls fell in or stayed just out of reach. I think there were three balls that I just barely didn't get to in that frame (and, admittedly, one I probably should've had). But the Bullets came out swinging in the bottom of the first, tying the game at four.

Travis Hastback, Nel, Mike, Pat, LP Vollano and Christine Napolitano all singled in sequence to start the inning. The first four in that sequence scored. The latter four picked up RBIs. Sal grounded into a fielder's choice, Vince flew out, and Jennie Gaeta grounded into a fielder's choice to stall the rally, and the offensive ineptitude began.

Beginning with Sal, nine straight Bullets were retired to end the first, and then roll right through the second and third innings without even a baserunner. Fortunately, truTV's offense couldn't push a run across the plate either. truTV scored once in the fourth for a lead.

DC responded. LP singled, and CNap got the worst fielder's choice in history when she lined a sure base hit into left, but the leftfielder threw into second to force LP. Sal waited out fifteen or so pitches before finally lining a hard single into left (best at-bat of the day, see note below), and then Vince crushed a double over the leftfielder. CNap and Sal both came home, giving DC a brief lead. Jennie and Brian Walters grounded out, however, and truTV came back with two runs in the fifth to retake control of the game.

The comic book makers went down in order in both the fifth and sixth innings, another string of eight straight batters retired. truTV added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. In the last of the seventh, the Bullets didn't even put up a fight. CNap singled, her second hit of the game (joining LP with the only multihit games of the afternoon). Sal's fielder's choice took her off the bases, and Vince's pop-up and Jennie's routine fly ball wrapped up a lackluster game.

4-4 (1-0 NYMSL), the Bullets take on the High Times Bonghitters this afternoon on the Great Lawn in Central Park.

A couple observations: CNap and Brian played a strong right field, and Jennie saved a couple low throws on force plays at second, so the defense wasn't a total letdown. And honestly, despite an error each, Mike and Nel had a lot hit at them and turned most into outs.

The other thing I see, as discussed with Nel, is that the Bullets don't hit bad pitching. Impatience had the team reaching for terrible pitches, and maybe four balls put into play all day were hit with any authority. Playing High Times today, we'll have the advantage of an umpire to keep the pitcher near the plate, but we need to be pickier about what pitches we're swinging at. And that goes for me as much as anybody.

Bullets Box:
LF Travis Hastback - 1-3, R
SS Nel Yomtov - 1-3, R
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3, R, RBI
P Pat Brosseau - 1-3, R, RBI
DH LP Vollano - 2-3, RBI
RF Christine Napolitano - 2-3, R, RBI
1B Sal Cipriano - 1-3, R
LCF Vince Letterio - 1-3, 2 RBI, double
2B Jennie Gaeta - 0-3
RCF Brian Walters - 0-2
C Allison Dugas - 0-2

Friday, May 27, 2011

Kogan's Two-Out Hitting Leads Bullets Past Paris Review

Will an early season matchup against the Paris Review set the tone for the DC Bullets' coming summer? Two years ago, porous defense and inconsistent hitting led to an embarrassing and lopsided loss during a shaky season. Last year, the offense carried the day, as it did for most of the 2010 summer. Yesterday, strong defense and just enough offense propelled the Bullets to a 7-3 victory.

Infield defense was the order of the day. Both teams' infields held the line, preventing extended rallies and consistently turning routine balls into outs. And some not-so-routine plays, as shortstop Nel Yomtov's two over-the-shoulder catches in shallow left field will attest. Although the Bullet offense never seemed to click - in part due to the Paris Review pitchers' ability to keep the ball inside, limiting the comic book makers to jam shots and handle hits, and owing to a few of our own baserunning blunders - DC's bats came through when they needed to.

The Paris Review loaded the bases with only one out in the first inning, but Joel Press rose to the occasion, getting a sacrifice fly and a routine grounder to third to end the inning while allowing only a single run. Not until the eighth (the game went quickly and an extra inning was agreed upon by both teams) would the Review score again. In the last of the first, DC took the lead and never gave it back. Travis Hastback's single got things started, but he was quickly erased when The Paris Review's second baseman made a nice play on Nel Yomtov's sharp grounder and flipped to second for the force. Mike Lorah got jammed on an inside pitch, but fisted the ball over the Review's first baseman where it landed on the right field foul line. Nel moved over to third, and Mike stopped at second with a double. Joel Press lined out to the second baseman, but Jay Kogan came through with a big two-out hit, lining a triple into the left field corner. CNap followed with a base hit, scoring Jay for a 3-1 lead.

After ground outs by Sal Cipriano and Laura Demoreuille in the second, Vince Letterio, Allison Dugas and Travis singled. On Travis's hit, Vince initially stopped at third; however, when the throw came in to the plate, and the Review catcher was out of position (relaxing near the backstop, fairly oblivious), Vince tried for home. The catcher recovered, and flipped to the pitcher who'd come to cover, and Vince was out.

Nel and Mike both singled in the third, line shots to center. Joel followed with a fly ball to shallow left field, and Nel decided to try to catch the leftfielder napping. He wasn't, and Nel was out at third by a good margin. Fortunately, Jay came through with another two-out hit, doubling to left to score Mike. Jay took third on the throw to the plate, and then trotted home when the throw back to third went into left field. DC led 5-1 after three innings.

Pat beat out an infield roller to lead off the bottom of the fourth, and moved to second on an overthrow. Sal lined out hard to left, and Pat, thinking perhaps the ball was over the fielder's head, wandered too far off second base and was doubled off. And Laura's fly out to shallow left ended the inning.

The fifth started slowly, with groundouts by Vince and Alli, but Travis's two-out single offered some hope. Then Nel -- and for those of you who weren't there, I should set the stage. When Paris Review took the field in the bottom of the fifth, the girl who'd gone out to play right field hadn't taken a glove, because she didn't seem to realize she needed one. So Nel inside-outed a line drive right at her. Instant triple, scoring Travis. Then Mike got another ball on the handle of his bat, and drawn by Murphy's Law, that hit also fell into right field, scoring Nel. Being a big softie, however, Mike stopped at first and waited for the throw to come back into the infield, and it didn't make much difference as Joel then flew out to end the inning anyway.

In the sixth, CNap and Pat singled with one out, but Sal and Laura left them stranded. The seventh was more of the same, as Vince and Allie got the Bullets started with singles, but Travis's 6-5 fielder's choice, Nel's line out to shortstop, and Mike's 6-4 fielder's choice squelched any rally.

Finally, top eight, Paris Review's pitcher unloaded a long RBI triple to leftcenterfield, and he later scored on a groundout, and that was your final score: Bullets 7, Paris Review 3. Big thanks to the Paris Review for coming out. We had a good time.

At 4-3 (1-0 NYMSL), the Bullets play truTV next Thursday at home, North Meadow #2 in Central Park. The team also returns to NYMSL action next Friday, on the Great Lawn, against longtime rival High Times.

Bullet Box:
LF Travis Hastback - 3-4, R, double
SS Nel Yomtov - 2-4, 2 R, RBI, triple
3B Mike Lorah - 3-4, 2 R, RBI, double
P Joel Press 0-3
RCF Jay Kogan - 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, double, triple
C/2B/RF Christine Napolitano - 2-3, RBI
RF Pat Brosseau - 2-3
1B Sal Cipriano - 0-3
1B/2B/C Laura Demoreuille - 0-3
LCF Vince Letterio - 2-3
C Allison Dugas - 2-3

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Bullets Win for Losing Against WNYC

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the all-new, all-thrilling, less-trafficked DC Bullets softball game summary website! Woot! And our first entry, game summary of the team's first NYMSL game of 2011, this past Monday against WYNC.

How do you enter a game 2-2 and come out of it 3-3? Well, first WNYC musters only seven players for the first New York Media Softball League game of the 2011 season, granted the DC Bullets the win by forfeit. But of course, everybody wants to play some softball, so league record aside, we play on anyway. Super-Soldier Nel Yomtov and All-Star Laura Demoreuille gamely volunteered to spend the afternoon on the opposing team's roster, and the game was on! Alas, the radiomen's bolstered lineup upended DC 11-10 to had the Bullets the loss.

(I did suggest briefly that full-season records should count games actually played, while the NYMSL record is based on league rules - making us 2-3 overall, yet somehow 1-0 in NYMSL, but I'll bow to the captain's preference here.)

The game started with promise. After a one-out single by Neil Hiremath, Mike Lorah lined a two-run homer to dead centerfield (aided in part by the centerfielder's breaking in on a ball hit essentially at where he'd been standing). Jay Kogan and Pat Brosseau followed with hard line drive singles, but Sal Cipriano went down swinging and Allison Dugas grounded out to stall the momentum.

WNYC came out on the attack. A series of solid line drive hits allowed them to accumulate three runs in the first, and two more in the second (including a Nel Yomtov single). Both rallies got a boost from DC shortstop Travis Hastback (first inning) and third baseman Mike Lorah (second) allowing two-out, routine groundballs to go right through the wickets. After WNYC's three-run first, DC tied the game: Travis led off the second inning with his specialty, a hustling double, moved to third on Vince Letterio's groundout, and scored on 2011-debuting Brian Cunningham's sacrifice fly. As noted above, the shock jocks quickly retook the lead with two more tallies.

Down 5-3, DC went scoreless in the third and fourth innings - Jay's third inning double into shallow left (man, the ball just died when it hit that grass, and a long foul the previous pitch had the leftfielder playing as deep as possible - all the rain must be preventing the groundskeepers from mowing!) and Travis's single in the fourth being the only Bullet baserunners during those frames. WYNC also went quietly in the third, but pounded out three more runs in the fourth. And the inning could've been worse; the Bullets escaped further damage when Nel rolled a Larry Ganem flip-pitch into a 6-3 double play. Larry's flip caused later controversy that is maybe not worth revisiting.

Fortunately, the comic book makers still had some fight in them. Brian Cunningham led off the fifth with a bullet - right at WNYC's leftfielder. The next few hitters, however, found green. Larry and Neil singled, and Mike slammed a double into center (another ball-dies-in-thick-grass extra base knock), scoring both runners. After Jay's flyball to right moved Mike to third, Pat lined a single to left for the RBI, and Sal followed with a base hit to left ... this is one of the DC scorebook stats. It's listed as an RBI double. It was kind of a single, with Pat going first to third, Sal taking second on the throw to third, and then Pat scoring and Sal to third when the throw went wild and out of play. But yeah, RBI double for Sal! (I still remember Schlagman's double on a comebacker to the pitcher a few years ago!) Anyway, then Alli drove a pitch over the third baseman's head, plating Sal with the game-tying run.

DC kept WNYC off the board in the bottom of the fifth; the game remained 8-8. NYC returned the scoreless favor in top six: after singles by Vince and BC, Larry flew out and Neil and Mike grounded into consecutive 6-5 fielder's choices. WNYC capitalized on DC's missed chance, erupting for three more runs.

So it's top seven, down 11-8. Here we go: Jay flew out to center, where Nel conspicuously didn't drop, or at least juggle, the ball. Pat and Sal singled, and ... boy, this is embarrassing. I don't remember what happened. The book says they both singled, but somehow (throwing error, I guess), Pat scored and and Sal wound up on third. Sal being on third I definitely remember, because I was coaching third base at the time. Anyway, Pat scored, Sal's on third, okay? And Alli beat out a slow roller down the third base line - and Sal got a great read that although the ball was near the plate, nobody would be able to get it and get to him before he scored. So Sal crosses the plate, making it a one run game, with the tying run on first. Then Travis popped up to shortstop, but Vince came through with a two-out base hit to left, keeping the game alive, moving the tying run to scoring position. But WNYC's crafty pitcher got BC to roll over a 6-5 fielder's choice, ending the game.

It's worth noting that all three Bullet losses have been one-run games. So we've been hanging int there in every game, keeping it close. A little more consistence or one break going our way and our record would look a lot better. The team's played pretty solid ball all around, and hopefully we'll see regular wins soon!

At 3-3 (1-0 NYMSL), the Bullets play The Paris Review on Thursday on their home field, North Meadow #2 in Central Park.

Bullet Box:
P Larry Ganem - 1-4, R
LCF Neil Hiremath - 2-4, 2 R
3B Mike Lorah - 2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, double, homer
LF Jay Kogan - 2-4, double
RF Pat Brosseau - 3-4, 2 R, RBI
1B Sal Cipriano - 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, double
C Allison Dugas - 2-4, RBI
SS Travis Hastback - 2-4, R, double
RCF Vince Letterio - 2-4
2B Brian Cunningham - 1-3, RBI, sac fly

And playing for WNYC:
2B Laura Demoreuille - 1-4
CF Nel Yomtov - 2-4, R