Central Amherst
'AA Sr.' Cubs win, advance to semifinals

After losing the first two playoff games last week, the Central Amherst "AA Sr." Cubs won their next three games to make the final four.

Cubs 14, Red Sox 0

The Cubs battled the undefeated Red Sox. Cub pitchers Reed Bihary and Matthew Boccio combined for 12 strikeouts and shut out the Red Sox, 14-0.

Boccio, Bihary, Cole Gleichenhaus and Zeb Hare had multiple hits for their first playoff victory.

Cubs 13, Cardinals 4

On Thursday, June 28, the Cubs took a 1-0 lead after back-to-back doubles by Stevie Vukelic and Liam Sullivan.

The Cardinals followed with four runs after hits by Adam Stasiewicz, William O'Connor, Clark Mazzio, Joe Tomczak and Connor Larson to take a 4-1 lead.

The Cubs added five runs in the second after hits by Cole Gleichenhaus, Aubrey Rockoff, Alex Cacciotti, Zeb Hare and Sammy Pieri to reclaim the lead.

Reed Bihary pitched well for the first two innings and quieted the Cardinal bats. The Cubs added two runs in the third as well as five runs in the sixth to seal a 13-4 victory.

Vukelic and Sullivan struck out 10 Cardinals through the last four innings.

Cubs 18, Tigers 12

The Cubs played the Tigers on June 30. Tiger Kyle Bleman had an RBI double in the first. After loading the bases with two walks, Derek Alford crushed a grand slam into right field to open a 5-0 lead.

The Cubs got one run back after base hits by Reed Bihary and Stevie Vukelic. Matthew Boccio blanked the Tigers in the second inning with two strikeouts and a well-played ground ball from Vukelic at shortstop to Liam Sullivan at first.

The Cubs added four runs in the second inning after walks to Aubrey Rockoff, Alex Cacciotti, Zeb Hare, and Zach Adams. Boccio's fielder's choice followed by hits from Bihary and Vukelic tied the game at 5-5.

The Tigers added three runs in the thirdbut the Cubs came back with four runs in the bottom of the inning in this seesaw battle to take a 9-8 lead.

Bihary was all the defense the Cubs needed in the fourth, striking out two batters and throwing out Tyler Probst after a hard hit grounder back to the mound.

The Cubs added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth after Vukelic's double and Max Marko's hit.

In the top of the fifth, the Tigers added two runs to close the Cubs' lead to 12-10. The Cubs added six runs in the bottom of the inning after Sullivan had a bases clearing double. The Tigers managed two runs in the sixth but could not overcome the Cubs' 18-12 lead.

Yankees 6, Red Sox 2

Liam Comerford led off the game with a walk and eventually scored to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Orioles' pitcher Ian Smith held the Yankees scoreless in the first inning, striking out three. Jonathan Spina then struck out the side in the second for the Yankees.

In the bottom of the inning, Joe Miller reached first after being hit with a pitch. Three consecutive walks by Jimmy Featherstone, Jonathan Zarzecki and Sam Lobuzzetta combined to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Brian Zapfel caught a pop-up at third base to end the inning.

Comerford led off the top of the third with a single. Zapfel moved him to third with a double and Cullen Lampasso tied the score with a single.

In the bottom of the inning, Alex Rodriguez, Marcellus Cooper and Miller walked to load the bases for the Yankees. Three more consecutive walks by Featherstone, Zarzecki and Lobuzzetta provided the Yankees with a 5-2 lead.

Lobuzzetta held the Orioles scoreless in the fourth, striking out three of the four batters he faced.

The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the fourth, sparked by Spina's lead-off single. Tommy Gioia hit a double to left center field and Alex Kracker hit an RBI single to give the Yankees a 6-2 lead.

Gioia took over pitching duties for the Yankees, shutting down the Orioles in the last two innings while striking out six of the seven batters he faced to give the Yankees their third consecutive win of the playoffs.

Yankees 6, Red Sox 4

Red Sox pitcher Bo Stroud and Yankee pitcher Jonathan Spina kept the game scoreless for the first two innings.

Tommy Gioia made a nice defensive play for the Yankees, fielding a grounder to first and stepping on the base for the force out. The Red Sox also made a nice defensive play when Michael Tenney grabbed a grounder at short stop and tossed it over to PJ Wing at second base for an out.

The Yankees finally broke the scoreless tie when Sammy Lobuzzetta blasted a triple to deep left center field. Marcellus Cooper then ripped a single to score Lobuzzetta.

Lobuzzetta took over the pitching reins for the Yankees in the third inning, keeping the Red Sox off the scoreboard in the third and fourth innings. Lobuzzetta struck out five of the seven batters he faced and received some help from Spina, who made a nice stop at second, throwing over to Gioia at first for the last out of the fourth inning.

The Yankees added a run to their lead in the fourth. Jimmy Featherstone led off with a walk, followed by a single from Spina. Gioia then ripped a single into the outfield, scoring Featherstone. Gioia took the mound for the Yankees in the fifth, giving up a lone hit to Zach Wing and striking out three batters.

The Yankees managed an insurance run in the top of the sixth, sparked by Lobuzzetta's leadoff single. Two walks followed to load the bases. Alex Rodriguez then hit a ball to shortstop Andrew Hill, who made the stop and tossed it to Will Sanderson at third for the force out. The hit scored Lobuzzetta from third to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the sixth.

Tenney and Sanderson led off the inning with back-to-back singles for the Red Sox. Eric Schafer followed with a walk to load the bases. Stroud then got an RBI walk to get the Red Sox on the scoreboard.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Zach Wing blasted a double to center field, scoring Sanderson and Schafer to tie the game. Stroud turned the corner at third and raced home for the potential winning run, but Rodriguez got the ball in quickly to Spina, who relayed it to Gioia at the plate. Gioia tagged out Stroud before he could reach the plate, sending the game to extra innings.

The Yankees loaded the bases in the top of the seventh. Alyssa Helak and Featherstone drew back-to-back walks, followed by a single by Jonathan Zarzecki. Lobuzzetta then ripped a single to give the Yankees the lead. Spina added another RBI single and Gioia capped off the scoring with an RBI hit to give the Yankees a 6-3 lead.

Hill led off the bottom of the inning with a single and moved to second on Tenney's walk. Sanderson then singled to the outfield, scoring Hill to make the score 6-4. But that was as close at it would get as Gioia struck out the next two batters to preserve the Yankee win.

Red Sox 15, Tigers 12

The Red Sox faced the Tigers, their fourth playoff opponent, and came out with their most exciting win of the season.

The first inning was led by pitcher Andrew Hill. Hill pitched a magnificent inning and struck three players out. The Tigers came back with some defense of their own when they allowed singles by Bo Stroud and Will Sanderson and a walk to leave players stranded on base. Hill pitched the second inning which proved to be more exciting for the Tigers as they managed to score six runs.

The Red Sox had great hits of their own in the second. After Kate Scaduto, P.J. Wing and Natalie Blatz were walked to load the bases, Eric Schafer singled to knock Scaduto home. The Red Sox continued to advance runners home with hits by Stroud, Hill and Michael Tenney. After the second inning, the Red Sox were down by only one run.

During the top of the third, Will Nowak took over pitching duties. Nowak threw perfect rainbow pitches which kept the Tigers swinging. Scaduto had one of the best outs all game when she scooped up the ball and made an out at third base. The Red Sox continued their defensive plays and shut the Tigers down.

Offensively, the Red Sox got a great start in the third when Zachary Wing sent the ball sailing into the outfield for a double. Nowak followed with a single and Scaduto walked after she was hit in the left shin. With the bases loaded, P.J. Wing waited patiently for a good pitch but was walked, scoring a Red Sox run.

Natalie Blatz had one of her best games, blasting a pitch into the outfield to score two RBIs to increase the Red Sox score. Nowak pitched another superb inning in the fourth but the Tigers were able to counter with some great hits.

The Red Sox would try to rally for runs as Tenney, Sanderson and Zach Wing were at the top of the batting order. But due to great Tiger pitching, and to the surprise of the Red Sox, all three players struck out.

In the fifth, the team found themselves in the hands of Stroud. The team needed him to help bring the Tigers scoring to a halt. Stroud pitched a superb inning when he struck two players out. Help came from Hill, who made a game-saving out at first base.

The Red Sox continued battling back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. The game remained close heading into the sixth where there is no eighth batter rule. Stroud remained pitcher for the last inning and struck out two batters. Sanderson made an excellent play when he snagged the ball and threw it to Hill for the last out of the inning, leaving the Tigers stranded on base.

The Red Sox trailed 12-11 in the bottom of the sixth. After a scoreless first and fourth inning, the Red Sox stepped up to the challenge. Sanderson started the string of hits with a single. Zach Wing followed with his own single and was also safe at first. With the two tying runs on base, Nowak singled to load the bases. Scaduto batted next only to be struck out by the Tigers. P.J. Wing then hit his first-ever grand slam home run. Wing and Nowak crossed home plate together and was tackled by his fellow teammates.

The Red Sox are 3-1 with one playoff game left against the Yankees.

'AA Jr.'

Orioles 23, Phillies 20

Theodore Gogos, Garren Dudas and Emily Morina each hit a double in the first inning. Victoria Monetti, Anthony Fago and Spencer Wing all singled to add four runs to the score.

In the bottom of the first, Phillies leadoff batter was out at first after Dudas scooped up the ball and reached the bag first. Several other hits by the Phillies resulted in runners on base. One highlight of the first inning came when Mitch Farrar snagged the ball and got a runner out at third base.

The second inning didn't see as many hits as the first for the Orioles. Defensively, the Phillies shut them down. In the third, the Orioles found their spark again when Dudas and Brian Comerford slammed doubles into the outfield. Fago, Wing, Morina and Gogos singled as did Farrar when he hit his first RBI of the season. The Orioles would end the inning by adding five more runs.

As the inning continued, the Phillies got several players home. Zachary Stockman played a great game as he and his teammates kept the game close with their own hits past the outfielders.

The last half of the game was like the first, with both teams blasting singles and doubles that resulted in runs for both teams. During the fifth, Colin Blatz made it to first base with a single and scored when Fago doubled.

The fifth and sixth innings continued to be exciting. It seemed as though the Phillies' bats were on fire but the Orioles played a great defensive sixth inning to shut them down.

The Orioles are 3-1-1 in the playoffs after their win over the Tigers, their next opponent later that week.

Orioles 15, Cubs 15

Spencer Wing started the base loading by the Orioles in the first inning. Teammates Emily Morina, Brian Comerford, Garren Dudas and Theo Gogos all singled while Anthony Fago hit a powerhouse double. These hits resulted in the Orioles advancing four runners home.

The Cubs had some excellent hits of their own but an excellent heads-up double play by Dudas soon ended the first inning. In the second, Colin Blatz hit the ball to get on base. Fago again hit another double as he played his best game of the year. The Orioles scored more runs to increase their lead.

The Cubs made several great hits of their own to get on the board. Excellent defensive plays by the Orioles, including an out from Morina to Dudas, helped finish the inning.

The Orioles got great hits in the third by Gogos, Victoria Monetti, Blatz and Comerford. The Cubs tried to even the score but great defensive plays by Mitch Farrar and his team held the Cubs to only a few runs.

In the fourth, Oriole players made it on base, allowing only one strikeout. Wing and Fago again hit doubles. Fago's hit knocked Wing and Morina home.

The Cubs found their way to bat again knowing they too needed some runs to keep up with the Orioles. Several great hits by the Cubs advanced players home.

As the game progressed, both teams played their best, making outstanding power hits to the outfield. Great hustle was needed to get balls into the infield.

Time allowed for a sixth inning to be played. The Orioles scored one more run and held the Cubs to no runs due to great plays by Dudas, who made another double play and the last out of the inning.

Orioles 20, Yankees 15

The Orioles ended their playoff season with a win over the Yankees.

During the first half of the first inning, the Yankees scored three runs. The Orioles answered back with four runs of their own by hits from Theo Gogos, Spencer Wing, Garren Dudas, Emily Morina and Anthony Fago, who blasted the ball for a double.

Going into the second inning, the Yankees scored five more runs. The Orioles knew they had to keep in the game with some hits of their own. The first two batters in the order struck out which seemed to shift the momentum to the Yankees. Dudas was next at the plate and smashed a double into the outfield followed by Fago, Morina and Brian Comerford, who all singled to get on base. Mitch Farrar had another great game when he also hit a line drive to get on base. Due to the fantastic hitting of the Orioles, they were able to score three more runs in the inning.

The Yankees went into the third leading 8-7. Dudas made a great defensive play when he caught the ball and touched second base for a double play. The Yankees mustered enough hits to score two more runs.

During the bottom of the third, six Oriole players singled and Fago smashed yet another double to take a 12-10 lead.

The Orioles continued their excellent play, holding the Yankees scoreless in the fourth due to the help from Dudas, who caught two pop flies.

Offensively, Fago, Comerford and Gogos all had powerhouse hits in the inning. Morina, Farrar, Wing and Dudas each singled and together scored four runs for their team.

As the game entered into the fifth, the Yankees found their hitters again and were able to come back and score four runs. The Orioles would not let up and again scored four more runs for a 20-14 lead.

Both teams knew the sixth inning was crucial as the game had been close. In the top of the sixth, the Yankees scored a run before their third batter struck out. Since the Orioles already maintained the lead, the game ended without having to play the last half of the inning.

The Orioles end their playoff season with a 4-1-1 record. The Orioles will play the Phillies in a semifinal game as will the Red Sox and the Yankees. The two winners will advance to a championship game later that week.

Cardinals 21, Cubs 19

The Cardinals and Cubs battled it out last Friday with the Cardinals winning, 21-19.

The Cubs were led by John Uba, who went 5 for 5, including two doubles. Eli Utz and Jonathan Fomenko both hit 5 for 5. Kellen Pulera went 3 for 4 and scored twice.

The Cardinals' defense came up big. Eddie Anders had two great stops at third base for force outs in the first inning to help stop the Cubs. Cameron Kiefer made a great stop on a ground ball to first base for the out later in the game. Jack Vanderhorst's two plays at third base for outs in the final inning helped clinch the Cardinals' win.

Connor Vincent led the Cardinals' offense, hitting 5 for 5 with four doubles and seven RBIs. Indigo Hare hit 5 for 5 with a double and three RBIs. Marissa Polino was flying around the base path, scoring five runs and hit 5 for 5. Anders and Vanderhorst smashed two doubles apiece for the hard-hitting Cardinals. Chris Wittmann also crushed a double and hit 3 for 4. Kiefer had a good night at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a RBI. Jacob Weinstein hit 2 for 4 and scored twice. Jonathan Rucinski, an "A" ball call-up, hit 2 for 4, including a double in his "AA Jr." debut. Emma Rose Pyrak led the cheering on the bench.