Despite unseasonably cold weather, Norwalk's Cal Ripken baseball league got under way last week, with TPT Engravers needing an extra inning to down Terzian Trucking, 6-5, in Major Division (11- and 12-year olds) action.
A bone-chilling wind and 40-degree temperature did not prevent Terzian from getting off to a hot start. Jordan Palmer's double off the fence sparked a two-run first inning. However, by the third inning, TPT had clawed back to tie the score, 3-3. TPT took the lead for the first time in the top of the fifth on a Ryan Searles RBI single. But Terzian tied the score again in the bottom of the frame when Jeff Vitatoe singled to center, eventually scoring on Andrew Matthews' ground out.
The game was knotted at four going into the top of the seventh, when TPT scored twice. Eric van der Els singled and stole two bases before scoring on a wild pitch. Searles drew a walk, stole second and scored on Kevin Woodring's RBI single. Terzian rallied for one run in the bottom of the seventh before Searles notched the save, recording the final out with the tying run on second base. Woodring, who pitched four innings for TPT, got the win.
Terzian's pitching trio of Vitatoe, Matthews and Palmer allowed only three hits, but surrendered nine walks. Terzian's offense was led by Palmer, who was two-for-four, and leadoff batter Mike Claps, who scored twice.
Opening week in Cal Ripken's Minor Division (for 9- and 10-year-olds) also featured a number of close contests, including an 8-8 tie between the Original Swanky Franks and Schwartz Law. Kyle Woodring was the offensive star for Swanky Franks, collecting a home run, two triples and a single while striking out six in the two innings he pitched. Also, Hunter Parks hit a game-tying RBI triple for Swanky Franks.
Schwartz Law's offense was led by Gavin Kempa, Connor Murray and Anthony Pena, who each had third-inning RBI singles to help overcome an early 3-0 deficit and take a 5-3 lead. Jake Osborne, James Baumblatt and Kempa collected RBI hits in the fifth inning to give Schwartz Law its second lead of the game. Kempa struck out nine in three innings of work on the mound. Osborne shut the door on the final Swanky Franks rally, striking out four in two innings.
Other Cal Ripken Results
Shining Stars Daycare 9, The Original Swanky Franks 4
Shining Stars' Stephen Pare belted a home run, and pitcher John David Dufort struck out three and allowed only one run over three innings. Jared Jones, who pitched three innings, struck out five and smacked a triple. Andrew Pare, who hit a double, swiped two bases, as did Justin Longo and Peter Neglia. Swanky Franks' Andrew Devigne, David Broncati, Owen Liscio, Chris Veneruso and Hunter Parks each pitched one inning.
Furst Properties 11, Express Pizza 9
Furst Properties pitchers Addison Hurwitz, Keegan Agostino and Jake Buffardi combined to strike out 14. The offense featured RBI hits from Hurwitz, Michael Macari and Noel DeJesus. Express Pizza was led by Chris Ehlers, who went three-for-three, and Randy Mateo, who stroked an RBI double.
Sono Energy 7, Furst Properties 3
Sono Energy pitchers Alberto Regalado, Jake DeLeo and Jake Dumas held Furst Properties in check most of the game, while Kyron Martinez and Iovanni Robledo each collected two hits for Sono. Furst Properties' Jake Buffardi struck out seven in three innings, and Keegan Agostino and Bobby Fosina led Furst Properties' offense.
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