PITCHER'S MAKE A STAND

In a season that has been characterized by high scoring games, this past week has seen several pitching gems turned in by the boys and girls on the mound. On Saturday, June 20, Boys Senior Division Brookline Catholic's Bruno Desimone struck out 20 batters in an eight inning stretch, which included a complete game masterpiece against Toole. In return, Toole pitchers Justin Fascetti, Bill Majetic, and Jason Casciato combined to fan 14 BRC batters. DeBor's John Wolsko also turned in a 12K outing in the day's first game against Brookline Distributing.

In the Boys Little Division, Billy Seibel and Tim Schmidt combined to throw their, and the season's, second no-hitter against Rick's Auto on June 18. Three days later, Knights of Columbus' Shawn Boyle countered with a complete game, no-hit shutout of St. Mark's. The 12 year-old hurler also struck out 13 batters in route to pitching the league's finest gem this year. An enthused fan was lucky enough to corner the young Knight as he exited the field and got Mr. Boyle's first official autograph. Congratulations Shawn!

As the lights were turned off on Tuesday night, June 24, a car pulled in toting some players from the Girls Fastpitch team, fresh from a 6-0 victory at Overbrook. Word soon spread that Kelly Kinzel, of Duke's News, had delivered a 21K no-hit performance for Maureen Tarr's 6-2 squad. Led by Kinzel, Jaymie Jedlick, and the best of their Senior Division counterparts, this talented team, along with Bob "Newt" Downey's 8-2 Brookline Colts, have made Brookline a force to be reckoned with around "the Burgh."

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Tom Walsh's Teener League team, which due to bad weather and scheduling conflicts have scratched their way to a 2-11 record. Numbers can, however, be deceiving, as the 13 year-olds have turned in some fine performances, including a 12-0 thrashing of Mt. Washington.

Elsewhere around the league, all but one of the divisions has crowned a regular season champion. Only in the Boys Little Division, where Poremski Plumbing (10-0) and Knights of Columbus (11-2) are still slugging it out, has the title been undecided. Congratulations to DeBor Funeral Home, Sullivan's Auto, Party Cake, and Slick's, who have claimed the top spot in their respective divisions. Most eye's are turning to the playoffs, but don't miss the thrilling finish for the one remaining title.

SLUGGER'S PARADISE

Boys Senior Division expansion team Morgan's may be the team of the future, led by speedster Steve Barone and the up-and-coming Domenic "Dukie" Gorga, but for now they are taking their lumps, especially the pitchers. Morgan's arms have to date given up ALL of the homeruns offered this season, including two on June 22 to Slammin' Sam Suska of Brookline Catholic. His first blast was a grand slam, and the second a two-run shot, giving him a total of four for the year. This marks the first time in more than a decade that a slugger has cleared the Senior fence twice in one game. Suska has also hit one for the travelling Colt team. Congratulations Sam!

NOTE: Another longball dished up by Morgan's that same day had somewhat different, but memorable, results. BRC's Bruno Desimone hit a towering drive to deepest center field (400 feet), and the swift-footed Steve Barone took pursuit. It was a moment reminiscent of Willie Mays miraculous catch in the 1954 World Series. Well, almost. The ball landed just out of Steve's grasp at the 390 mark. Whether it was the fine throw from the suburbs, or the batter's desire to witness the outcome, Bruno beat the bullet to second for a very long double. It's plays like this that make baseball live up to its billing as our national pasttime.