Sunday, October 31, 2004

On a night that there was a lunar eclipse, the most unusual sight was that of two Hamilton Lou Gehrig teams playing against each other in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

In the finals for the West Group of the Fall Ball Playoffs, Lou Gehrig A defeated Lou Gehrig B, 7-4. Lou Gehrig B drew first blood, scoring a run in the top of the first. Angel Torres led off with a walk and stole second. Two outs later, Torres scored on a Rich Nylander grounder to second that resulted in an error.

Lou Gehrig A responded in the bottom of the first with five runs. Asa Rodriguez led off with a walk, and was followed by singles from Jeff Karczewski and TJ Hargraves. Mike Rogers then hit a lazer over left field to clear the bases. Rogers and Alex Breza also scored in the inning, which gave Lou Gehrig A all the runs they would need.

Robert Warrick gained the victory with three no hit innings, allowing only the initial unearned run. Lou Gehrig A scored single runs the next two innings to take a 7-1 lead. Each run scored due to a leadoff walk, as Alex Wolfinger and Alex Breza were perfect leadoff hitters.

Lou Gehrig B responded as Larry Motchnik hit a bases loaded single to right that brought home three runs. Karczewski stymied the fifth inning rally as he struck out the side. TJ Hargraves entered for Lou Gehrig A to try and close the game out. Hargraves struck out the side in the sixth inning, before relying on his defense, specifically Rogers, to end the game.

Tony Donahue pitched well for Lou Gehrig B, allowing only one hit in two innings to keep Lou Gehrig B close. Key defensive plays came by Rogers, who threw out a runner at third from right field, Lou Gehrig B shortstop Pat Whitty who made a couple of nice plays on popups to short left field, and Lou Gehrig A outfielder Dan Elliott who made two outstanding catches..

NOTES:
Lou Gehrig A has won three playoff games, and has reached the final four. The next game is scheduled for Sunday October 28. Lou Gehrig plays Hamilton Babe Ruth at noon, West Windsor plays Lawrence at 3. Both games are at Lou Gehrig.