Superman is Totally Stronger than the Hulk: DC Overpowers Marvel

The annual (not-so-serious) grudgematch between DC Comics and Marvel Comics’ softball teams occurred Thursday evening on North Meadow #2 in Central Park. Both teams came out of the gate with a ferocious offensive attack, but Larry Ganem and DC’s defense finally gained Marvel’s measure in the fourth inning (it may have helped that Marvel started subbing in some of their less potent hitters by the fifth) while DC’s all-in line-up (no man left out, no substitutions) continued to push across runs en route to a dominating 23-9 win for DC.

The only small disagreement came before either team took the field – the captains couldn’t agree on how they wanted to arrange their line-ups for the game, so each team kept their own standard. Marvel played a traditional 11-person line-up, starting their stars and then substituting in other players later in the game. This configuration got the top of the line-up to the plate more often, which concerned Bullet captain Sal Cipriano. DC’s line-up went 15 people deep, with everyone batting and various players rotating in and out of the defense – the top of the order wouldn’t, theoretically, bat as often.

It turned out not to matter.

Marvel started the game with a bang, hammering home four runs in the first, reminding the Bullets of their potency and ensuring DC would take nothing for granted. The Bullets responded with a five-run, lead-taking outburst, including three runs with two outs. Mike Lorah led off the bottom of the first by smoking a triple to right center field, and he then sprinted home on Andrew Arnold’s groundout to short. Kevin Schwoer crushed a solo home run to center to cut Marvel’s lead in half. After Jay Kogan drew a walk, Vince Letterio’s screaming line drive was pulled down by Marvel very tall, and talented, third baseman. Neil Hiremath singled and Christine Napolitano walked to load the bases with two down, and Sal Cipriano punched home one run with a base hit to left. Blake Kobashigawa ended the scoring with a two-run flare single into shallow right, putting DC up 5-4 after one explosive inning.

Then both teams huddled under umbrellas and DC’s handy tarp-across-the-dugout during a ten-minute downpour that delayed the game. The remainder of the evening would be marked by light drizzle and a ten-pound, sopping wet softball that was hard to throw and harder to crush.

After the game resumed, Marvel, undaunted, plated three more runs in the second, retaking the lead. Responding with six runs of their own, DC seized the lead and never trailed again. Joel Press and Andrew (2) Marino singled. Taylor Esposito’s fielder’s choice (removing Andrew 2) and Brittany Holzherr’s walk loaded the bases. Fashionista David Pina, rocking his Flash underoos outside his pants, and Mike each drove him one run with base hits. Andrew drove home two more runs with another single, and Kevin’s double scored another Bullet run. Jay walked to reload the bases and Vince picked up a sacrifice fly to shallow left field – with Andrew alertly tagging and racing home when the left fielder had to slide to make the catch. After Neil walked, CNap bounced into a fielder’s choice to cap the scoring.

Marvel doggedly battled back again, plating two more runs in the third, making it a tight 11-9 game. DC put together a back-breaking rally in the bottom half, and did it all with two outs. Sal lined to third and Blake popped up to first. And then: singles by Larry and Joel, RBI double from Andrew 2, RBI singles from Taylor and Britt, and a bases-loading single from David. Then, despite Marvel’s strong offensive showing in the first three innings, Mike ended most of the game’s drama, depositing a looping drive down the right field line that went for a grand slam homer. Andrew nearly made it back-to-back blasts with a bomb into left center, but Marvel’s left fielder managed to run the drive down for the inning-ender. Still, the seven-run, two-out showing put DC up 18-9 after three innings.

From there, things quieted down. Marvel didn’t score again, despite a few threats. Kevin ran down a long, long fly ball somewhere around 120^th St. in the fifth, while Vince showed some impressive range in center and Blake ranged far up the middle to snare a grounder, to help Larry work through four frames of goose eggs.

For DC, in the fourth, Jay smoked a one-out double and later scored on Neil’s line drive single to center. Moved into scoring position by CNap’s second base on balls, Neil scored easily on Sal’s second RBI hit of the afternoon. Joel and Taylor each reached on base hits in the fifth, and then scored on RBI knocks from Britt and David. In the sixth, Kevin singled, took second on a groundout, and scored on Vince’s liner into left.

9-6 (3-5 NYMSL), the DC Bullets have put up successive 20+ run outbursts. Can they keep the offense going against one of the New York Media Softball League’s best hurlers? Find out next Monday, as the Bullets battle WNYC on North Meadow #10. They need a few wins to climb back into the NYMSL playoff picture.

Bullet Box

3B Mike Lorah – 3-4, 3 R, 5 RBI, triple, home run

SS Andrew Arnold – 1-4, R, 3 RBI

LF Kevin Schwoer – 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, double, home run

OF Jay Kogan – 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, double

CF Vince Letterio – 1-3, 2 RBI, sac fly

CF Neil Hiremath – 2-2, 2 R, RBI, BB

SCF Christine Napolitano – 0-1, R, 2 BB

1B Sal Cipriano – 2-3, 2 RBI

3B/SS Blake Kobashigawa – 1-3, 2 RBI

P Larry Ganem – 1-3, R

RF Joel Press – 3-3, 3 R

C Andrew Marino – 2-3, R, RBI, double

C Taylor Esposito – 2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI

2B Brittany Holzherr – 2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB

C David Pina – 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI

Bullet of the Game: Mike Lorah

Sunday Matinee Softball: Amazin' Bullets Blow Out SNY

It's not easy to scrape together a softball team for a Sunday nooner, so first of all, a big Bullet thank you to Jake Schwartz, Cid Rivera, Ian Parfrey and Michelle Lang to joining DC this weekend. The comic book makers squared off against SNY, television home of the New York Mets, at noon Sunday on Great Lawn #7 in Central Park. And perhaps it was a boost from DC's ringers (combined 13-20, 10 runs scored, 13 RBI, a double, two triples and a home run) or perhaps SNY rusty bats (their first game of the summer) or the absence of Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez, but DC put up one of their most convincing victories in an up-and-down season, walking away with a 23-3 triumph.

DC scored all the runs they'd need in the top of the first. Mike Lorah and Jake Schwartz each grounded singles through the middle, and Cid Rivera followed with an RBI base knock. After Ian Parfrey smoked a two-run double, Captain Sal Cipriano smacked a laser beam directly SNY's top-drawer third baseman and Blake Kobashigawa grounded to third for the second out. However, Brittany Holzherr lined a two-out RBI single to left to score Ian before Nel Yomtov bounced into an inning-ending fielder's choice. Battling Ian on the mount for DC, SNY put runners on base, but failed to push them across. With a runner on first, Ian induced back-to-back routine fielder's choices to third to work through a scoreless first.

Michelle Lang, the Impulsive Kid Flash David Pina and Taylor Esposito went down in order in the second and SNY posted their first run of the afternoon in the bottom half, cutting DC's lead to 4-1 after two frames.

Fortunately for the comic book makers, the top of their line-up wasn't through doing damage. Mike bounced another single into center to start the third. SNY's first baseman made a nice backhand play on Jake's opposite-way grounder and went to second for a force play and the first out, but Cid picked his teammate up with a long home run to dead center field. Ian and Sal singled, before Ian was erased on Blake's unassisted-to-third fielder's choice for the second out. Once again, Britt came through with another two-out RBI, driving a base hit to center to plate Sal. Nel lined out to second to close the three-run barrage. And SNY went down scoreless, giving the Bullets a chance to take real control of the game in the fourth.

Which is exactly what they did. Twelve batters came to the plate, including Michelle twice, as DC scored seven times in the fourth. Michelle and Taylor singled around David's fielder's choice, and Mike's third base hit of the afternoon loaded the bases. Jake and Cid both singled to score three runs, and after Ian's fielder's choice, Sal added an RBI single and then Blake smoked a two-run triple over the center fielder's head. Britt, the two-out devastator, walked on four pitches, and Nel had her back, slicing an RBI hit to left to score Blake. Michelle lined out to right to end the carnage.

SNY tallied a second run in the last of the fourth, DC took a commanding 14-2 lead into the fifth. However, SNY then managed to cut that lead slightly, as the Bullets managed only one baserunner - Mike's two-out single - and SNY pushed across a third run in their half.

SNY, however, didn't score again (fielder's choice and pop-ups continually stalling their offensive efforts), and DC kept tacking on. In the sixth, it was all two-out magic. After Cid grounded to third (with SNY's first baseman making a highlight reel stretch to corral a wide throw - yeah, his foot probably came off the base, but the effort deserved the out) and Ian flew out to center, Sal, Blake, Britt, Nel and Michelle all singled in sequence to score three more runs (credit runs to the first three, RBIs to Britt and Michelle with a run scoring on an overthrow after Michelle's hit).

DC batted around again in the top of the seventh, for six more runs. After Taylor popped up, the Bullets unleashed an extra-base hit assault against SNY's relief pitcher. Mike tripled to center and Jake tripled to right. Cid reached on an infield single, and Ian belted a two-run triple of his own. After Sal walked, Blake flew out to shallow left. With two down, Britt and Nel both drew walks to force home another run, and Michelle capped the rally with a run-scoring base hit.

Ian shut down SNY 1-2-3 in the last of the seventh, getting the final two hitters on sky-high pops to Nel in short left field.

8-6 (3-5 NYMSL), the DC Comics Bullets next game is against the Marvel Comics Avengers in the grudgematch of the summer. However, we're off this week - the Marvel game is next Thursday, August 8, on the Bullets' home field, North Meadow #2.

Bullet Box:
3B Mike Lorah - 5-5, 3 R, triple
LF Jake Schwartz - 3-5, 4 R, 2 RBI, triple
CF Cid Rivera - 4-5, 3 R, 5 RBI, home run
P Ian Parfrey - 3-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, double, triple
1B Sal Cipriano - 3-4, 4 R, RBI, BB
SS Blake Kobashigawa - 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, triple
2B Brittany Holzherr - 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB
SCF Nel Yomtov - 2-4, 2 RBI, BB
RF Michelle Lang - 3-5, 2 RBI
C David Pina - 0-5, R
C Taylor Esposito - 1-4, R

Bullet Player of the Game: Cid Rivera

BULLETS BOX: I-I 13 DC 5

CF Christine Napolitano: 1-3, R, 2B
RF David Pina: 1-3, R
P Larry Ganem: 3-3, RBI
LF Andrew Arnold: 2-3, 2 R
1B Sal Cipriano: 2-3, R, 2B
3B Blake Kobashigawa: 2-3
SS Brittany Holzherr: 2-3, 2 RBI
RF Tim Church: 1-3, RBI
2B Allison Klein: 1-3
C Taylor Esposito: 0-2

DC PLAYER OF THE GAME:
SS Brittany Holzherr: 2-3, 2 RBI

Bullets Win Scorcher over Paris Review

Sure, it was a zillion degrees Thursday evening, but that's not going to stop the DC Bullets. Armed with gallons of fluid, the comic book makers made their way to North Meadow #2 to square off against the literary magazine Paris Review. The Review took an early lead, then DC went on top, only to lose their advantage, regain it, lose it and regain one final time to walk away, tired and quite dehydrated, with a 14-10 win.

Highlighted by a two-run home run to right field, Paris Review struck for four runs in the first, immediately putting the Bullets back on their heels. However, as they've done all summer long, the top of DC's order went to work, digging the team out of the early hole. Christine Napolitano led off with a line single to left, and after Bill McLaughlin flew out to center, Andrew Arnold crushed a long home run to left center. Mike Lorah nearly mirrored Andrew's feat, smashing a long drive to right center, but unable to match Andrew's speed, Mike had to settle for a triple. The Captain, Sal Cipriano, drove Mike home with a groundout to short, cutting the Paris Review's lead to one. Joel Press and Emily Winter picked up two-out hits, but David "Impulse" Pina rolled over a fielder's choice to close out the first.

Paris Review added an insurance run in the second, but it wasn't enough to hold the lead. With one out, Taylor Esposito, CNap and Bill each singled to load the bases. Andrew continued to punish Paris Review pitching, smoking a two-run double and tying the game. For the afternoon, Andrew missed hitting for the cycle by only a triple. Then Mike's seven-mile high sacrifice fly to right center put DC ahead.

Holding Paris Review scoreless in the third, the Bullets pushed their lead to three runs. Again, three one-out singles loaded the bases. This time, Emily, Impulse and Andrew 2 were aboard, and it was Taylor socking a two-run double. DC, however, missed a chance to score even more when CNap popped up on the infield and Bill flew out to center.

Paris Review responded to the three run Bullet lead decisively, tallying three runs of their own and knotting the game at eight runs apiece, but the comic book makers still had the home field advantage. In the last of thee fourth, they used a little two-out magic to retake the lead. After Andrew's single, Mike popped up and Sal grounded into a fielder's choice. Joel, however, picked up his mates with a bomb to deep left. Joel wound up at third, barely, and Sal scored to put DC back on top. Emily drove Joel home, lining a single into left center. Impulse and Andrew 2 also singled to reload the bases, but this time Taylor went down swinging.

Paris Review's centerfielder, who'd clubbed a two-run homer in the first, got into another of Emily's pitches in the top of the fifth, tying the game with another long two-run blast. In the last of the fifth, with time running out on the permit, DC had one more chance to put the game away.

CNap grounded to short, Bill singled and Andrew popped up. With two outs and chances running dry, Mike scalded a single off Paris Review's second baseman and the Captain laced a bullet to left, plating Bill with the go-ahead run. The game continued, on the off chance that we might, however unlikely, be able to squeeze in another frame of softball, but the long delay that followed Joel's booming two-run double - which led to a considerable fair/foul debate (DC's ground rules: base coaches make fair/foul and safe/out calls, so I'll stand behind CNap on this one.) - made the effort moot. Singles from Emily and David scored Joel as well, before Andrew 2 bounced into a game-ending fielder's choice.

7-5 (3-4 NYMSL), the Bullets rematch Institutional Investor next Thursday on North Meadow #2 in NYMSL action.

Bullet Box:

2B/RF Christine Napolitano - 2-4, 2 R

CF Bill McLaughlin - 2-4, 2 R

LF Andrew Arnold - 3-4, R, 4 RBI, double, home run

3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 2 R, RBI, triple

1B Sal Cipriano - 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI

SS Joel Press - 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, double, triple

P Emily Winter - 4-4, R, RBI

C/2B/RF David Pina - 3-4, R, RBI

C/2B/RF Andrew Marino - 2-4

C Taylor Esposito - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, double

DC Player of the Game: Andrew Arnold

Bullets Overpower The Nation in (Brief) Slugfest

For Thursday night's softball games on North Meadow #2 against the DC Bullets, The Nation was late and short-handed. Consequently, the game lasted only four and a half innings before the 7pm field permit expired, and two Bullets - former intern/temp Andrew (2) Marino, making his 2013 season debut, and letterer/rookie Taylor Esposito - gamely accepted a temporary trade to the opposition. Even with two of their own in the enemy camp providing scouting reports, DC powered through to an 11-9 win.

Leading off with Andrew and then Taylor, The Nation struck for three early runs in the top of the first inning, but the middle of DC's order put the team on their shoulders and struck back harder to seize the lead. After a Christine Napolitano single and Neil Hiremath's fly out, Vince Letterio, Mike Lorah and Jay Kogan clubbed back-to-back-to-back triples to left field to tie the game. Captain Sal "Ichiro" Cipriano plated Jay for the lead with a wickedly spinning infield single, the first of three infield hits on the day for Sal. After Brittany Holzherr's fielder's choice, Joel Press rapped a double down the line and consecutive base hits from David "Impulse" (replacing his former "Kid Flash" nickname) Pina and CNap padded DC's advantage. Neil popped up, giving him the fairly rare distinction of making two outs in the same inning.

After Joel shut down The Nation in the second, DC tacked on a run in the bottom of the frame. Having allowed three pull-side triples in the first, The Nation shifted their entire outfield (both teams played three-man outfields) far around to the left, looking to close the gaps. After Vince flew out to left, Mike, showing no rust from his recent paternity leave, poked a looping flare down the right field line for an easy home run. Afterwards, Jay flew out, Sal outran a roller down the third base line, and Britt bounced into another's fielder's choice.

The Nation plated two more runs in the third, closing to within two runs. Leading just 7-5, Joel responded by lining a base hit to left and when David slapped a single to center, Joel charged hard around to third base. The center fielder's throw went wide of third and behind the Bullet dugout, allowing Joel to score and David, already advancing to second on the throw, to move up to third on the error. However, living up to his Impulse nickname, David sprinted off third and was nearly halfway home when CNap's line drive raced directly into The Nation third baseman's glove, and David was easily doubled off. With two down, the top of the DC line-up came through again. Neil, still the senior Flash on this team, slapped a hit to center and hustled it into a double. Vince followed with an RBI single and Mike flared a triple down the still nearly vacant right field line (but credit Andrew 2 for getting the ball as quickly as possible and getting it back to the infield to hold Mike at third). Jay bounced to shortstop, but the three-run inning pushed DC's lead to five runs. They'd need them all.

The Nation scored twice in the fourth and brought their biggest basher to the plate with one on and nobody out, and he promptly crushed a long home run over the fence in left field, cutting the comic book makers' lead to just one run. Fortunately, Joel and DC's defense (big nods to Vince, Jay and Neil for covering all that outfield ground, and to Britt for stepping in a shortstop and doing a terrific job) rose to the occasion, stifling The Nation's next few hitters to hold their slight edge.

Bottom four: After Sal and Britt singled, and Joel popped up, David connected for an RBI base hit. CNap added a single, loading the bases, but Neil popped up on the infield and Vince grounded an unassisted fielder's choice to the second baseman to wrap DC's offensive afternoon. With time on the permit dwindling, Joel made short work of The Nation in the top of the fifth, working his first one-two-three frame and securing DC's 11-9 victory.

6-5 (3-4 NYMSL), the Bullets meet the Paris Review next Thursday on North Meadow #2 at 5:30.

Bullet Box:
2B Christine Napolitano - 3-4, R, RBI
RF Neil Hiremath - 1-4, R, double
LF Vince Letterio - 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, triple
3B Mike Lorah - 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 triples, home run
CF Jay Kogan - 1-3, R, RBI, triple
1B Sal Cipriano - 3-3, R, RBI
SS Brittany Holzherr - 1-3, R
P Joel Press - 2-3, 2 R, double
C David Pina - 3-3, 2 RBI

For The Nation:
RF Andrew 2 Marino - 1-4
C Taylor Esposito - 2-4, 2 R

DC Player of the Game: Mike Lorah

BULLETS BOX: HIGH TIMES 11 DC 3

SCF Neil Hiremath: 1-3, RBI
SS Bill McLaughlin: 1-3
CF Vince Letterio: 0-2, RBI, SAC
LF Jay Kogan: 1-3, R, RBI, 2B
1B Sal Cipriano: 0-3
P Larry Ganem: 1-3, RBI
2B Emily Winter: 0-3
RF Joel Press: 0-3
3B Blake Kobashigawa: 1-2, RBI
C Allison Dugas-Behan: 2-2, R

DC PLAYER OF THE GAME:
C Allison Dugas-Behan: 2-2, R

BULLETS BOX: DC 29 NEWSBEAST 4

RF/CF Neil Hiremath: 3-5, 4 R, RBI, BB
1B/RF: Sal Cipriano: 2-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 BB
SS/LF Andrew Arnold: 5-6, 4 R, 6 RBI, 2 2B
LF/1B Kevin Schwoer: 4-5, 4 R, 5 RBI, 2B, 3B, HR, BB
RF/SCF Vince Letterio: 5-6, 3 R, 3 RBI
2B/SS: Nel Yomtov: 1-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3B, BB
SCF/2B Christine Napolitano: 4-6, 2 R, 2 RBI
3B Blake Kobashigawa: 3-6, R, 3 RBI
P Larry Ganem: 4-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR, BB
C: Brittany Holzherr: 2-6, 3 R

DC PLAYER OF THE GAME:
CF/1B Kevin Schwoer: 4-5, 4 R, 5 RBI, 2B, 3B, HR, BB

BULLETS BOX: DC 8 FORBES 14

3B Mike Lorah: 3-3, R, 2 RBI, BB
LF Andrew Arnold: 1-4, R, 2B
CF Kevin Schwoer: 2-2,  2 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2 BB
SCF Vince Letterio: 2-3, RBI, BB
RF: Joel Press: 2-4, RBI
DH: Sal Cipriano: 2-4
1B Laura Demorueille: 1-4, R
SS Blake Kobashigawa: 1-4, R
P Larry Ganem: 1-1, R, BB
C Taylor Esposito: 1-1, R
2B: Allison Klein: 0-2
C/2B: Brittany Holzherr: 1-1, RBI

DC PLAYER OF THE GAME:
3B Mike Lorah: 3-3, R, 2 RBI, BB

Can't Win for Losing

I don't usually use this space to loudly call out problems I see on the team, but one clear trend this season has been worrisome. Turnout at McGees has been pathetic. Absolutely awful. Thursday night, Andrew, Taylor, CNap and I were there - that's it. Four Bullets and Thursday night was a pretty good night compared to some other Thursdays this summer. This is shameful behavior. What would LP say?

I'm going to say it now: the team that drinks together, wins together. So think about your priorities.

As for the game, by New York Media Softball League rules, the DC Bullets scored a big triumph over WNYC Thursday night. With only eight players, and only one woman, WNYC could not field a full roster and DC took the win via forfeit. Of course, we all just want to have fun, so after the forfeit was agreed upon, we played anyway, with WNYC batting only eight and DC providing two fielders (whoever made the last two outs the previous half-inning) to occupy the catcher and right field spots.

The NYMSL standings may show the Bullets won on Thursday, but the play on North Meadow #2 told a different story, with WNYC's short-handed squad besting the comic book makers 7-4. WNYC smacked a few long fly balls that maybe could've been caught, but the humidity and sun certainly made tracking balls difficult. Third baseman Mike Lorah also misplayed a routine ball in the fifth that allowed a run to cross. But, for the most part, WNYC earned their runs (and with a short line-up, got their better hitters to the plate more often). DC, while facing probably the best slow-pitch pitcher they'll see all year (unbelievable stat: he struck out four batters in a slow-pitch game on Thursday!), struggled to put runners on and failed to capitalize when they did.

WNYC put DC back their heels immediately with a four-run first inning, and with manager Sal's vaunted top four batters all in attendance, the sad-sack 1-2-3 response from the Bullets in the bottom half wasn't a positive omen. Mike launched a towering fly to center for one out, before Andrew lined a bullet to third and Kevin smashed a bomb to deep left field where it was run down for the inning-ender.

Jay Kogan grounded a single through the left side to start the second, but only moved to second base on Neil Hiremath's one-out base hit. In between, Vince Letterio popped up, and after Neil's hit, Christine Napolitano and Sal Cipriano flew out.

WNYC tacked on a run in the top of the third, and Larry Ganem (pop-out), Laura Demoreuille (pop-out) and Brittany Holzherr (K) sat down in order. Both teams went scoreless in the fourth, with DC again failing to put a runner on base. Taylor Esposito swung through a third strike, Allison Klein grounded to shortstop, and Mike popped out to right field.

After watching WNYC score twice more in the fifth, the Bullets finally mustered some fight-back. With one out, Kevin and Jay singled, and Vince smashed a double to put the comic book makers on the board. Neil and CNap followed with RBI singles and a fourth run scored on an overthrow. Larry squeezed a single in between pop-ups from Sal and Laura, and DC cut the deficit to just three runs.

Alas, the score never changed over the final two frames. WNYC couldn't tack on, but Britt, Taylor and Alli went down sequentially in the sixth, and DC loaded the bases in the seventh - singles by Mike, Andrew and Vince, but all the runners were left stranded. Kevin punched out swinging, Jay smoked a bullet that was snared by the pitcher in a moment of pure self-defense, and Neil came up empty swinging at a third strike.

So the Bullets have a win in the New York Media Softball League standings. Except they still haven't actually beaten an NYMSL team, which may be a problem in the long run.

4-3 (1-2 NYMSL), DC and WNYC wrap up their regular season series on Monday, North Meadow #10, 6pm.

Bullet Box:
3B Mike Lorah - 1-3
SS Andrew Arnold - 1-3
OF/1B Kevin Schwoer - 1-3, R
LF Jay Kogan - 2-3, R
OF Vince Letterio - 2-3, R, RBI, double
OF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, R, RBI
SCF Christine Napolitano - 1-2, RBI
DH Sal Cipriano - 0-2
P Larry Ganem - 1-2
1B Laura Demoreuille - 0-2
2B/C Brittany Holzherr - 0-2
C Taylor Esposito - 0-2
2B Allison Klein - 0-2

Heartbreaker: Late WSJ Rally Stuns Bullets

Softball's a funny game. You play six frames and things are going your way, and then in one inning, the time it takes to collect three tiny, little outs, it all comes undone - a few balls are just out of a fielder's reach, a guy gets down the line a fraction of a second too quickly, and sweet victory turns into the ashiest defeat.

That's how Thursday night's New York Media Softball League game on North Meadow #2 between the DC Comics Bullets and Wall St. Journal went down for the comic book makers. For six innings, DC contained a short-handed, but still powerful WSJ offense, and for six innings the Bullets scrimped and scraped and tacked on runs to take a 7-3 lead into the final inning. One top of the seventh later, WSJ scored five time and left the stunned Bullets on the short end of an 8-7 loss.

Wall St. Journal's top-heavy line-up came out swinging in the first, scoring three times to put early pressure on the comic book makers, but DC answered back quickly in the bottom half. Neil Hiremath lined a single into left and Mike Lorah bounced a chopper back through the middle to put two runners on. Jay Kogan's base hit scored Neil and Kevin Schwoer added a fourth single to load the bases with no outs. Vince Letterio bounced into a fielder's choice, scoring Mike, but forcing Jay at third, and then Sal Cipriano and Christine Napolitano flew out to left field to stall the rally. But DC tallied a couple runs and kept themselves in the game.

DC's defense stifled the bottom of WSJ's line-up, taking them down 1-2-3 in the second and with only a single baserunner in the third. Alas, the bottom portion of DC's line-up was faring no better. In the second, Blake Kobashigawa's scorching line drive was snared by a diving WSJ shortshop. Larry Ganem popped out to third and Nel rolled over a grounder to wrap the inning. Taylor Esposito swung through strike three, and Brittany Holzherr and Neil grounded out in a quick third.

Fortunately, through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, Larry Ganem's pitching kept the opposition off balance. Larry must've caught four pop-ups himself, and Blake made a terrific play to snare a groundball up the middle and throw a laser to first to get the out. Perhaps the defensive highlight of the fame came in the sixth, when shortstop Blake picked a grounder and flipped to Nel, who made the turn to Sal for a crisp 6-4-3 double play.

Bottom four, Mike broke a stretch of nine straight Bullet outs, smashing a home run into right center, tying the game at three apiece. Jay singled and came all the way around to score the go-ahead run as Kevin clubbed a double to left. Kevin alertly took third on the throw home and scored an insurance run on Vince's sacrifice fly. Sal went down swinging at a high pitch after questioning an earlier strike call in the at-bat. After CNap lined a base hit over third base, Blake popped up on the infield for the final out.

The fifth went quiet and quick, with Larry lining out to third, Nel popping up and Taylor grounding to shortstop, but DC managed to extend their lead in the sixth. After Allison flew out to center (and if there was one thing about this nail-biter of a game that I personally thought could've been more fair, it was WSJ's outfielders creeping within ten feet of the infield dirt when DC's women batted - both Alli's sixth inning flare and CNap's seventh inning line drive might've dropped if the outfield acknowledged the league's 25-feet-off-the-dirt rule. WSJ got a huge key hit in the seventh because Kevin stayed back - but there were plenty of other opportunities for DC to win the game.), Neil singled and went to third on Mike's base hit to right, with Mike taking second on the throw to third. Jay launched a deep sacrifice fly and Kevin drove Mike home, lasering a base hit through the left side. However, Vince flew out to left and the comic book makers went to the seventh leading 7-3.

Top seven. I don't usually remember an entire inning from the other team, but this one I do. WSJ's #2 hitter singled and then a hard double to right center put two runners aboard. The clean-up hitter, a lefty, reached on an unbelievable infield single. With Blake playing up the middle and Mike back to defend most of the left side of the infield, the hitter flared a weak pop-up over the pitcher's mound where it fell just beyond the reach of Larry, Blake and Mike for an infield single. The runners had to hold, but the bases were loaded with nobody out and the tying run was at the plate. Two more singles plated three runs, putting the tying run at second base and go-ahead on first. DC finally got the first out on a fly ball to left. The next hitter smashed a long fly to right field. CNap, going back, leaped and the ball skipped off the top of her glove. The tying run scored, but a quick relay from Nel allowed Larry to tag the trail runner out at the plate. Two outs, tie game, the go-ahead run on second, and one of WSJ's women who hadn't hit a ball out of the infield coming to the plate. Except this time she did, flaring a ball over third base just onto the outfield grass, and the runner move up from second to third. Another lefty hitter for WSJ, this one trickled a ball out in front of the plate to the left side. Larry was off the mound quickly and got the ball, but coming out of the left-handed batter's box, the hitter had one extra step toward first and hustled out the infield hit. The leading run crossed the plate. Larry got the next hitter to pop out to Mike at third, but the damage was done and the Bullets, sadly, mustered little pressure in the last of the seventh.

Sal flew out to left and CNap lined to (very) shallow left. Blake punched a single through the right side to put the tying run on base, and Larry tried to follow his lead - but WSJ's first baseman picked the ball and shoveled to the pitcher to nip Larry by a half-step for the game-ender.

It was a thriller, a nail-biter, and a helluva fun game (thanks, WSJ). Also, a heartbreaker. The biggest difference in the game: the bottom of Wall St. Journal's line-up was able to string together a few baserunners and DC couldn't do the same. But the Bullets will bounce back, starting next Thursday on the Great Lawn when they face Forbes at 7pm.

3-3 (0-2 NYMSL), the Bullets have an unusual home game on Great Lawn next week, as the Parks Department performs maintenance on North Meadow. Don't get lost, we'll see you there.

Bullet Box:
RCF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, 2 R
3B Mike Lorah - 3-3, 3 R, RBI, home run
LCF Jay Kogan - 2-2, R, 2 RBI, sac fly
LF Kevin Schwoer - 3-3, R, 2 RBI, double
OF Vince Letterio - 0-2, 2 RBI, sac fly
1B Sal Cipriano - 0-3
RF Christine Napolitano - 1-3
SS Blake Kobashigawa - 1-3
P Larry Ganem - 0-3
2B Nel Yomtov - 0-2
DH Taylor Esposito - 0-2
C Brittany Holzherr - 0-1 / C Allison Klein - 0-1

Game 5 Player Ratings

CF Neil Hiremath - 1-3, R
The I-I defense got the best of the speedy Bullet on this night. R: 6

3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 3 R
Pushed down to the 2 spot, Mr. Lorah acquitted himself well at the plate, but like many Bullets had a bit of tough time on field.  R: 6.5

SS Andrew Arnold - 2-3, 2 R, RBI, double
Like Mike's rating above, it was a tale of two players, though the double play could've been outstanding... R: 6.5

LF Kevin Schwoer - 2-3, R, RBI
Solid for the most part, Schwoer suffered from what the rest of the outfield did, just not being in the right spot, but honestly not much you can do. R: 7.5

CF Vince Letterio - 3-3, 3 RBI
Same as Kevin's, with the added misread of the players on the basepaths on a costly play. Great day at the plate, though.  R: 6.5

1B Sal Cipriano - 3-3, RBI, double
Good day at the plate, but a lost pop in the sun hurts the rating.  R: 8.5

RF Allison Klein - 0-3
Playing out of position wasn't the best for Alli.  R: 4

3B Blake Kobashigawa - 3-3
Solid for the most part on the field and at the plate.  R: 8.5

P Larry Ganem - 1-3
I-I had a field day with Larry's pitches. R: 5

C David Pina - 0-3
Not much going on for the speedy catcher. R: 4

C Taylor Esposito - 0-2
And even less for his counterpart. R: 3.5

2B Brittany Holzherr - 1-2
Tough day on the field for the rookie 2B. R: 5

There's a New Sheriff in Town: Bullets Blown Out by Institutional Investor

As we start play in the seventh season of the New York Media Softball League, the league roster has expanded to include a seventh team. Institutional Investor made their NYMSL debut Thursday night on North Meadow #2 (although the game was played on DC's field, II, without field permits of their own, served as the home team) and they served notice to the NYMSL - there's a new heavy in town - as they whomped on the Bullets, winning 22-7.

Now, DC was short a few bats: Jay Kogan, Joel Press and super-soldier Nel Yomtov were among the missing. The defense could've, at times, been tighter, although the Bullets didn't allow many extra runs until after they already faced a ten-run deficit. Ultimately, however, II's hitters can mash and DC's going to have to step it up next time out.

As the visiting team, DC missed a chance to make an early statement in the first. After Neil Hiremath's single, Mike Lorah grounded into a fielder's choice and Andrew Arnold flew out to center. Back-to-back line singles from Kevin Schwoer and Vince Letterio drove Mike home, and Sal Cipriano loaded the bases with a rope into left field, but Allison Klein popped up to leave three runners stranded. Institutional Investor seized the momentum, plating three runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Blake Kobashigawa singled to left and Larry Ganem punched a base hit over second base to put two runners aboard in the second. However, David Pina hit into a fielder's choice for one out, and Taylor Esposito rolled into a 6-3 double play. Highlighted by a couple long home runs, II scored eight runs in the bottom of the frame, taking a commanding 11-1 lead.

To their credit, DC started to immediately chip away in the third. After Brittany Holzherr and Neil were retired, the comic book makers put together a nice two-out rally. Mike lined a single to left and Andrew banged a double into the gap in left center. Kevin's base hit drove home a run, and successive singles from Vince and Sal scored two more before Alli flew out to right.

DC held II scoreless in the third, but came away empty themselves in the fourth. After Blake grounded a single through the left side, two fielder's choices and a fly ball to left stalled any momentum, and Institutional Investor went back on the attack in the last of the fourth, scoring six more runs and pushing their edge to 17-4. The defensive highlight of the inning, undoubtedly, was Andrew fielding a groundball at shortstop, stepping on second, spinning around and throwing to first. If there had been a runner on first to force, or if the throw to first had been on line, the play would've been spectacular! But you've gotta give style points for displaying that much athleticism without netting a single out!

Britt led off the fifth with a base hit, and after Neil's fielder's choice, Mike and Andrew collected base hits to push across another run for DC. Kevin flew out to center, but Vince came up with a big two-out single - and not only did Mike score easily from second, but Andrew never stopped running and sprinted all the way around from first to score. Sal ripped a double down the left field line, but Alli's groundout left two more runnners on base. In the last of the fifth, perhaps deflated or just feeling silly from the game's outcome, the Bullet defense faltered (giving up extra bases on overthrows more often than failing to get outs), helping II score five final runs.

With time running out on the permit, Blake led off the sixth with his third lead-off single of the game. Larry bounced out to shortstop, and Blake, trying to catch the first baseman napping, was gunned down going to third. David chopped back to the pitcher and that was all she wrote.

3-2 (0-1 NYMSL), the Bullets continue their New York Media Softball League gauntlet next Thursday on North Meadow #2 against High Times.

Bullet Box:
CF Neil Hiremath - 1-3, R
3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 3 R
SS Andrew Arnold - 2-3, 2 R, RBI, double
LF Kevin Schwoer - 2-3, R, RBI
CF Vince Letterio - 3-3, 3 RBI
1B Sal Cipriano - 3-3, RBI, double
RF Allison Klein - 0-3
3B Blake Kobashigawa - 3-3
P Larry Ganem - 1-3
C David Pina - 0-3
C Taylor Esposito - 0-2
2B Brittany Holzherr - 1-2

2013 NYMSL Full Schedule

For those that are interested, here's the NYMSL's full schedule.

May 2

DC @ I-I (NM #2, 5:30 pm)

HT @NDB

May 9

HT @ DC

WSJ @ NDB

May 11

NYC @ WSJ

May 13

WSJ @ HT (HK #2, 7 pm)

May 16

WSJ @ DC

NB @ I-I (GL #3, 5:30 pm)

May 18

DC @ WSJ

May 23

FB @ DC

May 30

NYC @ DC

June 3

DC @ NYC

June 6

DC @ FB

June 7

NYC @ HT (GL #3, 5:30 pm)

June 10

I-I @ NYC

June 13

I-I @ DC

NDB @ FB

June 14

HT @ I-I (GL #3, 5:30 pm)

June 17

FB @ NYC

June 20

DC @ NDB

June 21

NWB @ I-I (GL #3, 5:30 pm)

June 22

FB @ WSJ

June 24

WSJ @ NYC

June 27

NDB @ DC

I-I @ FB

June 28

DC @ HT (GL #3, 5:30 pm)

June 29

HT @ WSJ

July 1

FB @ HT (HK #2, 7 pm)

NDB @ NYC

July 11

NYC @ FB

July 13

I-I @WSJ

July 19

I-I @ HT (GL #3, 5:30 pm)

July 22

HT @ NYC

July 25

HT @ FB

July 29

NYC @ I-I (NM #10, 6 pm)

Aug 1

WSJ @ FB

Aug 5

NDB @ NYC

Aug 10

NDB @ WSJ

Aug 15

FB @ I-I (RP #6, 7 pm)

Aug 17

WSJ @ I-I  (NM #7, 11 am)

Aug 19

NDB @ HT (HK #2, 7 pm)

Aug 22

FB @ NDB

FIELDS/DATES

DC Comics (DC): North Meadow/Central Park #2 (Westside @ 97 St), Thurs, 5:30 pm

Forbes  (FB): Riverside Park #6 (103 St & Riverside Dr), Thurs, 7 pm

High Times (HT): Heckscher Playground/Central Park #2 (SE corner @ 63 St); Mon, 7 pm; Great Lawn/Central Park #3 (Westside), Fri, 5:30 pm

Newsweek Daily Beast (NDB): Riverside Park #6 (103 St & Riverside Dr), Thurs, 7 pm

Wall Street Journal (WSJ): North Meadow/Central Park #2 (Westside @ 97 St), Sat, 11 am

WNYC (NYC): North Meadow/Central Park #10 (Eastside @ 100 St), Mon, 6 pm

Institutional Investor (I-I): shares field with the other teams

Follow the NYMSL on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/456383664374967/?fref=ts

Follow the NYMSL on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/NYMSL

Game 4 Player Ratings

SCF Neil Hiremath 2-3, 2 R
Neil had another nice outing with solid play on both sides of the field, making for some tough decisions for the first league game. These are the type of tough decisions you want though! R: 8.5

SS Andrew Arnold 3-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
Double A busted out with a heck of an offensive day! R: 8.5

LF Kevin Schwoer 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, 2B
Another HR, 3 more RBI's, a double, and a throw out from left field. Mr. Schwoer is looking good heading into league play. R: 9.5

CF Jay Kogan 1-3, 2B
The Hall of Famer had an OK day, but good to see full health this year.  R: 6

1B Sal Cipriano 2-3, RBI
The captain fouled out for the third time this season, but looked good otherwise on both sides.  R: 8

3B Blake Kobashigawa 0-3
Bad luck at the plate for Blake, can't hit the ball harder, but solid on the field.  R: 6.5

P Allison Klein 1-3, R
Great pitching performance in Alli's first start! R: 7.5

RF Dan Bertoldi 3-3, 2 R
I think Dan is getting bored in right, but it hasn't had affected his hitting. R: 7.5

RF David Pina 3-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B
Like Dan, not much to do in the field, but solid at the plate with improved running. R: 7.5

2B Brittany Holzherr 1-3
Britt continues to be a welcome addition on the field, but was hurt by a pulled-in outfield at the plate. R: 6.5

C Taylor Esposito 1-3, RBI
TayTay needs to catch the ball better to speed up the game, and keep his eye on the ball at the plate, though he has produced when he's hit.  R: 4.5

C Carlos Mangual 0-3
Improved fielding is a step in the right direction. R: 4.5

Bullets in Full Bloom with win over Bloomberg

The DC Bullets softball team closed out their April "spring training" on Thursday with a 10-4 win over Bloomberg. From here till the end of June they embark on an all NYMSL schedule, starting with the newest league member Institutional Investor coming up this Thursday, but back to the game recap...

After making a relief appearance vs. BuzzFeed, Allison Klein (with some of the team at the comic con C2E2) was given the chance to start, and overall did very well to keep an improved Bloomberg team to 4 runs, with the only real blemish a two-run blast over the North Meadow #2 fence in left. Otherwise, fantastic work by the lefty, and she started with blanking the NYC mayor's former company in the first.

In the bottom half of the inning, Flash Hiremath continued his scorching-hot hitting with a single. Andrew Arnold followed up with one himself, and Big Kevin Schwoer knocked in Neil with a double. Arnold, unfortunately, was gunned down at third, though, as the Bullets discovered where Bloomberg's best outfielder played. After Jay Kogan popped up, "Oh No!", Captain Sal Cipriano brought home Kevin with a ripped line drive single to left. Blake Kobashigawa lined out to end the inning.

Alli K put up another bagel in the second before the Bullets got back to work. After Alli popped up, Dan Bertoldi singled, and Kid Flash David Pina brought him home with a double. Brittany Holzherr singled and went to second on an overthrow which brought home David in the process. Dueling catchers TayTay Esposito and Carlos Mangual tallied the final two outs.

The aforementioned Bloomberg HR happened in the top of the 3rd, but the Bullets added 2 more to their total in the bottom half of the inning. After Neil grounded out to start things off, Andrew singled, and Kevin brought both home with his 3rd homer of the season, after the ball skip under the centerfielder's grasp and just kept going. Jay doubled and Sal singled, but Blake was robbed of an absolute rope and Alli grounded out to end the threat.

The Bullets pitcher then put up three straight goose eggs on Bloomberg, and the Bullets kept supporting her as they scored runs in every inning they batted. In the 4th, Dan scored on a TayTay infield single, Arnold brought home himself and Neil with a crushed homer in the 5th, and Alli scored on a Pina single in the 6th. Frustration seemed to be creeping into Bloomberg as the game went on, culminating in news agency's massive 1st sacker running over Cipriano in a first base collision, but the captain stayed up and held onto the ball.

Bloomberg did get back two runs in the top of the 7th, but DC shook it off and closed out the game. With the Bullets at 3-1 on the short season, they'll try to start league play on the right foot next week in their first NYMSL game. They had a horrid 2-8 league season last year, but expecting an almost full complement of players, the captain will have plenty of weapons at his disposal. Come support the DC Bullets as they begin their march to the playoffs this Thursday at 5:30pm on their North Meadow field #2, though they'll be the away team on this occasion.

Bullets Box:
SCF Neil Hiremath 2-3, 2 R
SS Andrew Arnold 3-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
LF Kevin Schwoer 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, 2B
CF Jay Kogan 1-3, 2B
1B Sal Cipriano 2-3, RBI
3B Blake Kobashigawa 0-3
P Allison Klein 1-3, R
RF Dan Bertoldi 3-3, 2 R
RF David Pina 3-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B
2B Brittany Holzherr 1-3
C Taylor Esposito 1-3, RBI
C Carlos Mangual 0-3

Game 3 Player Ratings

SCF Neil Hiremath - 5-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B
Back in the lead off spot for the first time in 2013, DC's Flash had another superb day at the plate, but the lights played a factor on the field. R: 8

SS Nel Yomtov - 2-5, R
The conditions just didn't favor the Super Soldier on both sides of the field on this night. 
R: 5

CF Kevin Schwoer - 3-4, 2 R, RBI
A decent day at the plate by the slugger, but like everyone else the conditions made for some rough goings. R: 7

LF Jay Kogan - 2-4, R, 2 RBI
Decent fielding, clutch hitting on a night where the Hall Famer wasn't 100%. R: 7.5

P Joel Press - 2-4, RBI
Press' 2013 pitching debut was going smoothly until that 5th inning. Not much you can do. R: 6 

1B Sal Cipriano - 2-3, 2 RBI, 2B, SAC
The Captain redeemed himself on the field with a perfect defensive night, and showed his most pop at the plate. R: 8.5

2B Allison Klein - 1-4, RBI
An ribbie groundout was the highlight on a quiet night for the 2nd baseman, though she continued to show improved bat speed. R: 5 

3B Blake Kobashigawa - 3-4, 2 R, 2B
The 3rd baseman was robbed of a 4-4 night when a screamer was nabbed out of the air. Nice jump in overall batting last night as he warms up in 2013. R: 8.5

C Carlos Mangual - 1-4, 2 R
An injury caused greatly reduced running ability for the catcher, but kudos for sticking it out. Needs to get more comfortable behind the plate as well, but it's early. R: 4 

RF David Pina - 2-4, R, RBI
Kid Flash showed his speed and luck on taking third during a dangerous play, but still needs to be more aware on the base paths. Nice try in the field on a liner where he slid and crashed into a soccer post. R: 6 

ONE. BAD. INNING. Bullets fall to Daily Show

It seems silly that a good softball performance keeps getting compromised by the one bad inning scenario, but that's been the Bullets' bugaboo for years now. It certainly was the case on a cold Monday night under the lights of DeWitt Clinton Park, when after leading 11-6 going into the bottom half of the 5th inning, the Bullets coughed up 10 runs in route to a 19-11 loss to The Daily Show. A whirlwind of causes can be blamed from fielders and balls from another game, to horrendous lighting, to just plain old errors, but TDS banged out plenty of legit hits during that parade as well, and the Bullets can only walk away taking the good of the rest of the game and move on to a quick turn around this Thursday.

The game certainly started off well enough, with lead-off hitter Neil Hiremath (SCF) roping his first (of 5!) hit. Super Solider Nel Yomtov (SS) followed suit, and Kevin Schwoer (CF) laced a single to cash in the first ribbie of the game. After Jay Kogan (LF) flied out, Joel Press (P), making his 2013 debut, singled in the second run and Captain Sal Cipriano (1B) doubled in Kevin. With men on 2nd and 3rd Allison Klein (2B) grounded out, and the TDS infield caught Joel in a run down to complete an inning ending double play.

TDS went quietly in the bottom half of the inning, and the Bullets doubled their tally to make it 6-0 in the second. Blake Kobashigawa (3B) doubled, and Carlos Mangual (C) singled, but hurt his thigh running to 1st.  David Pina (RF) popped up, but Neil picked him up with his second single that plated Blake. Nel loaded the bases, but Kevin popped up, leaving it up to the Hall of Famer to come through, and Kogan did just that, delivering a line drive that scored an injury-aided-slow-motion Carlos and our resident Flash, who almost over ran him! Joel flied out after a valiant effort with numerous foul balls to end the second.

TDS scored their first run on a long homer that split the outfielders in the bottom half of the inning, but the Bullets wouldn't be fazed, at least not yet. After Sal flied out to deep left, Alli and Blake singled before Carlos' grounder forced Alli at 3rd. Sal, last man out, came in to pinch run for the ailing catcher, which helped set up the Bullets' runs for the inning. David singled home the first, and Neil brought in the rest with a double that plated Sal and David. Nel lined out to end the inning.

Despite being down 9-1 going into the bottom of the third, Jon Stewart's crew would not be deterred and had their first rally of the game plating 4 in the inning. DC answered with what would be their last two runs in the 4th, with another deep fly by Sal, this time for a ribbie sac scoring Kevin, and a ribbie ground out by Alli scoring Jay. TDS added another run in the bottom half.

Playing with their smallest line-up of the short season thus far, and maybe too early to have a game like that, the Bullets began feeling the wear and tear and only Neil got on base in the 5th. And that's when all hell broke loose, and TDS went on a ten run binge, highlighted by a deep three run blast that was aided by another shot from an opposing field that hit Kevin in the leg as he went for the ball, causing him to hit the artificial surface of DeWitt Clinton.

The Daily Show plated three more in the 6th, but despite a few more scattered hits, including Neil's 5th, the Bullets just couldn't rally back, and that was that. A frustrating loss to a team that match up very well with the Bullets despite the all-time record 1-3 going the way of the fauxish news show.

The Bullets have a chance to rectify the loss when they return to the field this Thursday, at home (North Meadow #2, 5:30PM), vs. Bloomberg News, but be sure, the Bullets can't wait to take the field again vs. The Daily Show!

Bullets Box:

SCF Neil Hiremath - 5-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B
SS Nel Yomtov - 2-5, R
CF Kevin Schwoer - 3-4, 2 R, RBI
LF Jay Kogan - 2-4, R, 2 RBI
P Joel Press - 2-4, RBI
1B Sal Cipriano - 2-3, 2 RBI, 2B, SAC
2B Allison Klein - 1-4, RBI
3B Blake Kobashigawa - 3-4, 2 R, 2B
C Carlos Mangual - 1-4, 2 R
RF David Pina - 2-4, R, RBI 

Game 2 Player Ratings

3B Mike Lorah - 4-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, two doubles
While the lead off man had 4 hits, his out was the hardest hit of all! 
R: 9

OF Vince Letterio - 2-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, double
3 runs and 2 RBI's is a nice take from 2 hits.
R: 7

LF Kevin Schwoer - 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, two doubles
Solid showing for the 3 hitter, but no homers? Fail.
R: 9

1B Jay Kogan - 3-4, 3 R, RBI, double
Serving mostly as DH until an injury to 1B Cipriano, Kogan had a good day at the plate and held his one on the field.
R: 8

1B Sal Cipriano - 3-4, R, RBI, double
A terrible day on the field, two errors on one play, culminated in a back injury for the Captain. The 3-4 line wasn't so pretty either.
R: 5

CF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, 4 RBI, sac fly
The Flash continued his hot hitting and looked great in Short Center.
R: 9

RF/P Allison Klein - 3-4, R
Playing out of position already, Klein came in to pitch for Ace Ganem and looked good. Continued her improved plate approach as well.
R: 9

OF Dan Bertoldi - 2-4, 2 R, RBI
Short Center was a little tough on Bertoldi, but he kept his hitting up.
R: 6

SS Nel Yomtov - 4-4, 2 R
The Super Soldier returns with a 4-4 day, and except for an odd pop up, a mostly solid SS.
R: 9

3B/SS Blake Kobashigawa - 1-4, R, RBI
Little bit of a tough day at the plate for Blake, but looked good on the left side of the infield.
R: 6

P Larry Ganem - 2-2, 2 R, RBI
Good pitching, solid hitting in a truncated debut for the Ace of the Bullets.
R: 8

2B Brittany Holzherr - 3-4 3 R, 2 RBI
Except for a low throw, Britt continues to dazzle at 2B.
R: 8

C David Pina - 4-4, 4 R, 3 RBI
Nice overall day for Kid Flash.
R: 9

C Carlos Mangual - 3-4, R, 4 RBI
The last of the new rookies to debut, Mangual hit the ball well, but like David and TayTay last week needs to work on running the bases.
R: 6

Welcome to Softball: Bullets Give BuzzFeed a Rough Welcome

The DC Bullets met BuzzFeed, playing their inaugural softball game as a team, Thursday night on North Meadow #2, and BuzzFeed got a quick taste of where their needs are, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The Bullets benefited from the struggling glovework, rapping out an astonishing 40 hits in just six innings, coming out on top of a 27-7 rout.

After Larry Ganem worked a scoreless first, aided by Blake Kobashigawa's leatherwork at third base, DC put up a quick three runs. After Mike Lorah lined out to right field, Vince Letterio singled and Kevin Schwoer doubled to put two runners into scoring position. Jay Kogan cashed in the first with a line single to left. Jay moved up to second on the throw and, after Sal Cipriano's pop-out, Neil Hiremath drove home both runs with a single to centerfield. Allison Klein added a base hit before Dan Bertoldi's groundout wrapped the frame.

The comic book makers had their once-a-game defensive hiccup in the second, opening the door for BuzzFeed to plate five runs and seize a brief two-run lead. Supersoldier Nel Yomtov led off the second with a base hit, moved to second on Blake's groundout, and to third on Larry's single. Brittany Holzherr plated Nel, and David Pina's hit loaded the bases with one out. Carlos Mangual's fielder's choice erased Britt at third, but scored Larry to tie the game. Mike's RBI double put DC ahead again, briefly as it turned out.

BuzzFeed tallied a sixth run in the third, tying the game, and DC retook the lead on a Jay's double, Sal's line single to left and Neil's sacrifice fly. Allison chipped in another two-out hit, but was again left stranded.

To this point, the game had been a back-and-forth affair. After a scoreless fourth for BuzzFeed, that changed. Nine batters went to the plate in the fourth for DC - eight of them reached base safely. Nel and Blake singled, and Larry chased Nel home with a ground single into right field. Blake, however, was thrown out going to third. Britt, David, Carlos and Mike singled in sequence, driving home three more runs. Vince rolled into a fielder's choice before Kevin smacked a two-run double to cap the scoring on a six-run outburst.

BuzzFeed chipped away with a run in the top of the fifth, and the comic book makers answered with eleven in their turn. Sixteen batters went to the plate. Ten straight reached base with two outs in the inning. Oddly, one of the hardest hit balls of the inning turned into the first out, when Neil, the second batter of the inning, ripped a drive into shallow center and BuzzFeed's centerfielder made a terrific diving catch. The Bullets stopped hitting to center after that and started to find holes. Around Neil's line out, Sal, Alli and Dan singled to score one run. Nel loaded the bases with a hit, and Blake's fielder's choice added a second run. Britt, David and Carlos collected RBI singles, and Mike an RBI double. Vince tallied a two-run double, and Kevin drove him home with a rope back through the box. Jay singled, Sal (second at-bat of the fifth) RBI doubled and Neil drove home one final run with a hit of his own before Alli flew out to end the massacre.

BuzzFeed went quietly in both the sixth and seventh innings against first-time pitcher Allison, Larry having slipped away after the fourth inning. DC scored three more in their half of the sixth - Dan and Nel grounded singles through the left side. After Blake flew out to left and Britt grounded into a fielder's choice, David, Carlos and Mike drove in runs with singles. Vince, always merciful to the opposition, grounded out to end DC's evening at-bats.

Sporting an early 2-0 record, DC meets The Daily Show on Monday at Dewitt Clinton Park at 8:30pm. All three previous Bullet-Daily Show match-ups have been thrillers, so expect nothing less this time.

Bullet Box:
3B Mike Lorah - 4-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, two doubles
OF Vince Letterio - 2-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, double
LF Kevin Schwoer - 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, two doubles
1B Jay Kogan - 3-4, 3 R, RBI, double
1B Sal Cipriano - 3-4, R, RBI, double
CF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, 4 RBI, sac fly
RF/P Allison Klein - 3-4, R
OF Dan Bertoldi - 2-4, 2 R, RBI
SS Nel Yomtov - 4-4, 2 R
3B/SS Blake Kobashigawa - 1-4, R, RBI
P Larry Ganem - 2-2, 2 R, RBI
2B Brittany Holzherr - 3-4 3 R, 2 RBI
C David Pina - 4-4, 4 R, 3 RBI
C Carlos Mangual - 3-4, R, 4 RBI

Game 1 Player Ratings

In an effort to give some good feedback to the team on individual performance, we're going to experiment with player ratings this season. Here's how we score it. You get a 1-5 points for Offense and the same for Defense. Only the overall score will be posted, but the short summary should tell the story.

3B Mike Lorah - 3-3, 2 R, RBI 
The Bullets 3B started in a new spot in the lineup, lead off, and went 3-3. His abilities may make him a perfect table-setter. A couple of low throws kept his rating slightly down, but a great overall opening day.
Rating: 8

SS Andrew Arnold - 1-3, 3 R, RBI, triple
Arnold has lobbied to play SS for years, and in the 2013 opener he got that oppurtunity and ran with it. On offense, he tripled and amazingly scored in all three at-bats despite going 1-3.
Rating: 8

P Kevin Schwoer - 3-3, 2 R, 5 RBI, two home runs
The 2012 MVP/ROY blasted out of the gate with 2 homers, one a real monster, and 5 RBI. Making his Bullets debut on the mound, Schwoer keep ProPublica in check limiting them to 3 runs and a handful of hits.
Rating: 9

LF Jay Kogan - 3-3, 2 R, RBI, home run
The Hall of Famer returned to the lineup after being sidelined for most of 2012 with an ankle injury. Placed in the clean-up spot, Kogan said "Yes, sir, I'm back."
Rating: 9 

OF Vince Letterio - 2-3, 2 R
Our roving outfielder proves time and again why he is invaluable to any OF alignment, the man can play anywhere out there with ease. A nice 2-3 day doesn't hurt either. 
Rating: 8

1B Sal Cipirano - 1-3, R, RBI
After fouling out twice to start the game, the team captain smashed a rocket single for an RBI. On the field, nothing passed him by at 1st, including a lower bouncer that was netted with nice scoop.
Rating: 7

SCF Christine Napolitano - 2-3, R
CNap had a nice solid debut at the plate and on the field. As steady a ship as there is.
Rating: 9

CF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, double
The DC Bullets' resident Flash dialed up the power in his 2013 debut smashing a 2 run double. He played his typical reliable CF for a nice day.
Rating: 8 

2B Allison Klein - 1-3, RBI
Alli K has improved her overall game showing some pop in her at-bats. A bit of high throw was the only slight blemish.
Rating: 6

RF Dan Bertoldi - 2-3, R, 2 RBI
Bertoldi continues the fine improvement he showed toward the end of last season with a fine day at the plate.
Rating: 6

1B Laura Demoreuille - 1-3
Like Alli K, our reigning Wonder Woman showed improved pop at the plate. On the field, Laura only couldn't handle one bad throw, but overall was solid.
Rating: 5

C David Pina - 2-3, R
The first of our rookies in the line-up, DP had himself a nice day going 2-3 and looking solid at catcher. The one big area that needs watching is his base running, as he almost overan Dan Bertoldi on the base path.
Rating: 6

2B Brittany Holzherr - 1-3, R
Britt looked the most solid of the rookies overall, playing a fine 2nd base and adding a nice hit and a run in her Bullets debut.
Rating: 7
 
C Taylor Esposito - 2-2, R, 2 RBI, triple
Tay Tay can swing the bat going 2-2 with 2 RBI's and a crushed triple, but will need to work on his defense and base running.
Rating: 5

Bullets Spring into 2013 Season with Win over ProPublica

The 2012 season didn't end the way the DC Bullets wanted, but in their 2013 season debut, the team served notice that they're looking to rebound in a big way. Against ProPublica, the Bullets looked solid offensively and defensively, coming away with a resounding 18-3 victory.

With 2012 Rookie of the Year and MVP Kevin Schwoer toeing the pitching rubber on the Elysian familiarity of North Meadow #2 in Central Park, the comic book makers stifled the top of ProPublica's batting line-up in the first, giving DC a chance for an early lead. And The Bullets took advantage of the opportunity.

The top five hitters all reached base to start the season with a bang. After Mike Lorah lined a single to left, Andrew Arnold smashed an RBI triple for a quick lead. Kevin followed with a fly to deep center which ProPublica's centerfielder couldn't hang onto, and Kevin sprinted all the way around to score on the two-run home run. Singles by Jay Kogan and Vince Letterio kept the pressure on, which sputtered slightly when Sal Cipriano fouled out and Christine Napolitano lined out to left. Neil Hiremath came through with a big two-out hit, doubling to left center, allowing both Jay and Vince to cross the plate for a five-fun season-opening frame.

The middle part of ProPublica's order plated two runs in the second to cut into DC's lead, and the comic book makers mustered only Laura Demoreuille's one-out single, a line shot to left, in their half of the frame.

After shutting down the opposition in the third, DC retook the momentum. Taylor Esposito and Mike reached on base hits, and after Taylor was erased on Andrew's fielder's choice, Kevin and Jay collected back-to-back singles to push the lead back to five runs. DC had a chance for more, but Kevin was doubled off second base on Vince's fly out to center.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth, CNap's base hit being DC's only baserunner. ProPublica tacked on a third run in the fifth, but the Bullets put the game away in the bottom half, scoring 11 runs. Dan Bertoldi led off the inning with a single, and one out later, rookies David Pina and Brittany Holzherr collected base hits as well. Dan was able to score during some confusion on the base paths with benefit of an infield error, and then Taylor crushed a triple to left field to bring David and Britt home. Mike's RBI infield single plated Taylor, then Andrew's fielder's choice erased Mike. The next eight hitters all reached base with two outs - Kevin started it with a bomb to deepest center field, an easy two-run homer. Not to be outdone, Jay, who was voted the second inductee into the team's Hall of Fame during the off-season, smashed a long solo home run to left.Vince singled, took second on an over-throw, and scored on Sal's smash base hit to left. Singles by CNap and Neil loaded the bases, and Allison Klein cashed in a run with a looper into right field. Dan (in his second plate appearance of the fifth) capped the inning, punching a two-run single to left, but Allison tried to go first-to-third and got caught in an inning-ending rundown to close out the frame.

Both teams went scoreless in the sixth, and ProPublica turned in a three-up-three-down seventh, including back-to-back strikeouts from Kevin to close out the game.

With a 1-0 record, the DC Bullets meet BuzzFeed for the first time ever next Thursday on North Meadow #2.

Bullet Box
3B Mike Lorah - 3-3, 2 R, RBI
SS Andrew Arnold - 1-3, 3 R, RBI, triple
P Kevin Schwoer - 3-3, 2 R, 5 RBI, two home runs
LF Jay Kogan - 3-3, 2 R, RBI, home run
OF Vince Letterio - 2-3, 2 R
1B Sal Cipirano - 1-3, R, RBI
SCF Christine Napolitano - 2-3, R
CF Neil Hiremath - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, double
2B Allison Klein - 1-3, RBI
RF Dan Bertoldi - 2-3, R, 2 RBI
1B Laura Demoreuille - 1-3
C David Pina - 2-3, R
2B Brittany Holzherr - 1-3, R
C Taylor Esposito - 2-2, R, 2 RBI, triple