After coping with six rainouts and the headaches of rescheduling during the 2009 season, DC Bullet co-captains Sal Cipriano and Adam Schlagman kept two of the team’s precious field permits in reserve to cover any precipitation-based complications. So of course, only one game – a non-New York Media Softball League game, which didn’t need to be made up anyway – was lost, and Sal and Adam found themselves racing to find an opponent to match up against the Bullets last Thursday.
Fortunately, Bloomberg agreed to step up to the plate, giving the Bullets one last tune-up before the NYMSL playoffs begin on Sept. 12. In the early going, the game remained tight, but then the comic book makers started to pull away, building confidence for the playoffs.
Bloomberg struck for two quick runs in the top of the first, but DC tied it just as quickly. Three successive one-out singles by third baseman Mike Lorah, shortstop Adam Schlagman and leftfielder Andrew Arnold loaded the bases. Joel Press, the second baseman, drilled a sacrifice fly to left to score Mike, and after SCF Jay Kogan singled to reload the bases, catcher Allison Dugas beat out an infield chopper to score Adam, knotting the score at two apiece.
Both teams went scoreless in the second, but after holding Bloomberg down again in the third, the Bullets took control of the game. Adam, Andrew, Joel and Jay all singled to open the third, giving DC a one run edge. Allison’s fielder’s choice added a second run, and CF Vince Letterio crushed a two-run triple into the left field corner. 1B Sal Cipriano singled to center to plate Vince, and rightfielder Brian Walters lined a double into right. After an RBI single by ace pitcher Larry Ganem, Bloomberg got out of the inning with back-to-back pop-ups – but DC scored seven times to take the lead.
After another scoreless turn by Bloomberg in the fourth, DC add two more runs. Mike led off with a triple to center field, and trotted home when Adam ripped a double into the left center gap. After a groundout, Joel singled to bring Adam in.
In the fifth, everything fell for DC. Sixteen hitters took a turn at the plate, three were retired – the other thirteen all scored. After seven base hits to start the frame, Adam scored leadoff hitter and rightfielder Pat Brosseau with a sacrifice fly for the first out, and six batters later, Sal capped the scoring with a grand slam to centerfield.
After holding Bloomberg scoreless in the top of the sixth and with time running out on the field permit, DC and Bloomberg agreed to skip the bottom of the sixth and play top seven. Larry Ganem and the Bullet defense turned in another quick frame, finalizing the 24-2 finale.
With a 16-5-1 overall record, including 8-2 in NYMSL, the Bullets look strong going into the playoffs. Fans can check out the action on Sunday, September 12 at Hecksher field in Central Park.
Game Notes:
Most of the Bullets hung around and played a semi-organized pick-up game against the Friar’s Club after the Bloomberg contest. No stats or scores for that one; it was a goof-off game for both clubs.
Box score:
RF Pat Brosseau, 1-4, R, RBI
3B Mike Lorah, 3-4, 3 R, RBI, triple
SS Adam Schlagman, 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, double, sac fly
LF Andrew Arnold, 3-4, 3 R
2B Joel Press, 3-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, sac fly
SCF Jay Kogan, 3-4, R, 3 RBI, double
C Allison Dugas, 2-4, R, 2 RBI
CF Vince Letterio, 3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, double, triple
1B Sal Cipriano, 4-4, 3 R, 5 RBI, HR
RF Brian Walters, 2-4, 2 R, RBI, double
P Larry Ganem, 3-4, R, 2 RBI
CF Neil Hiremath, 1-2, R, RBI
