Monday, April 29, 2013

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

Sunday, April 28, 2013

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

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

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 

Monday, April 22, 2013

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

Saturday, April 20, 2013

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

Sunday, April 14, 2013

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