Game Day Gazette
July 21, 2025
Although you couldn’t tell it by the cooler partly cloudy weather at game time, summer is clearly upon us. The best indicator for us is how many mercenaries are needed to complete the lineups and for today’s games, we needed six for each game. As we all know, the mercenaries can have a huge impact on the outcome of the game so if you are interested, make yourself available by arriving early and staying late to get in some additional playing time!
Game 1 8:30 a.m. Keystones (3-3-0) vs. Pioneers (0-7-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Keystones- Pioneer’s pitcher Sal Lopez held the Keystones in check over the 1st two innings as he limited them to a single run on four hits. Mike Hill led off the game with a line single up the middle. John Flowers bounced a ball in front of the plate for an infield hit. Patrick Schmidt drew a walk to load the bases. Barry McRee popped out to short for the 1st out. Not sure what John was thinking but he strayed too far off 2B and was doubled off on a nice throw from Jack Adams to Tim Herer. Tommy DeLeon ripped a single to left to drive in Mike H. for the game’s first run. Mike Mordecai’s single loaded the bases for the 2nd time. Bobby Hawthorne ended the inning with a groundball to 3B that Mickey gloved and stepped on the base for the force out.2nd- Leading off the 2nd, Margarito Canava flew out to Jim Foelker in left for the 1st out. Robby Vickery bounced out to 2B for the 2nd out and Greg Tolander lined a ball down the left field line that drifted into foul territory for the final out.
Pioneers-still looking for their first win of the current session, the Pioneers put up three runs in the initial two frames to grab an early 3-1 lead. Jack Adams laced a double to left to open the inning. Mike Carroll grounded a single past 2B to score Jack with the 1st run. Sal Lopez popped out to short for the 1st out. Mickey Pool singled to move Mike to 2B. Larry King fouled out for the 2nd out. Tim Herer launched a flyball to left that Barry was unable to secure as the ball fell in for a run-scoring double. Chris Hurst ended the inning with a line shot to Mike H. at short .2nd– Bobby Miller led off the 2nd with a groundout to Mike H. at short. Paul Rubin followed with a line drive to left center that just got by Patrick and rolled to the fence as Paul circled the bases for an inside the park home run. Jim Foelker grounded to 3B for the 2nd out and Donnie Janac popped out to 2B to retire the side.
End of 2nd Score: Pioneers 3 Keystones 1
Third Inning Recap:
Keystones- Sal made short work of the Keystone batters in the 3rd. He issued a walk to leadoff batter, Johnny Neville, to start the inning. Peter Atkins was retired on a deep fly to center. Mike H. grounded sharply to 2B, and Tim flipped the ball to Jack to start an inning ending 4-6-3 double play.
Pioneers- Keystone pitcher, Tommy DeLeon, matched zeroes with Sal as he shut down the Pioneers on a single hit in the 3rd. Ray Pilgrim bounced out to short leading off the frame. Jack lined out to short on a nice catch by Mike H. for the 2nd out. Mike C. singled but Tommy retired Sal on a pop up to 3B to end the inning.
End of 3rd Score: Pioneers 3 Keystones 1
Fourth Inning Recap:
Keystones– John led off the inning with a drive that gapped the outfielders on the right side for a three bagger. Patrick bounced out to 2B for the 1st out. Barry hit a flyball to short CF that Paul caught for the 2nd out but his throw to the plate was just wide, allowing John to score the 1st run of the inning. Tommy ended the inning with a comebacker to Sal for the final out.
Pioneers- Mickey led off with a single but was erased on Larry’s 6-4-3 double play groundout (close play at 1B as I thought Larry beat the throw). Tim popped out to 3B as the Pioneers failed to score in back-to-back innings.
End of 4th Score: Pioneers 3 Keystones 2
Fifth Inning Recap:
Keystones- grabbed the lead with two runs in the 5th. Mike M. led things off with a sharp single to left. Bobby followed with a single. Margarito doubled to left center driving in Mike, but Bobby was thrown out at the plate on a nice relay from Bobby Miller to Jack to Mike C for the 1st out. Robby’s single moved Margarito to 3B, and he scored on Greg’s single past the third baseman. Johnny fouled out and Peter was retired on a high pop up to short to end the inning.
Pioneers- battled back with two runs of their own to retake the lead. Chris laced a base hit to left to open the frame. His pinch runner scored on Bobby’s two-run inside the park home run. Paul doubled but was left stranded as Jim flew out to shallow center field, Donnie bounced out to 3B, and Ray flew out to CF to retire the side.
End of 5th Score: Pioneers 5 Keystones 4
Sixth Inning Recap:
Keystones- their bats came alive in the 6th as the Keystones put up five runs to take command of this game. Mike H. led off with a well struck ball that gapped the outfielders for a triple. John ripped a line single to right scoring Mike with the 1st run. Patrick drilled a hard liner up the middle that scooted under Bobby’s glove for an RBI triple. Barry dropped in a base hot over the infield to drive in the 3rd run. Tommy smacked a single down the left field line to advance the runners. Mike M. singled to push across the 4th run of the frame. Bobby kept the hit parade going with a single. Margarito popped out to the pitcher for the 1st out, but Robby laced an opposite field single to drive in the 5th run.
Pioneers- failed to score despite getting three hits in the inning. Jack flew out to CF to start the inning. Mike C. singled but was forced out at 2B on Sal’s grounder to 3B. Mickey and Larry had back-to-back hits to load the bases, but Tim grounded into a force at 2B to close out the frame.
End of 6th Score: Keystones 9 Pioneers 5
Seventh “Open” Inning Recap:
Keystones- stayed hot at the plate as the Keystones put up seven runs in the buffet. Greg led off with an infield hit but was forced out at 2B on Johnny’s grounder back to the pitcher. Peter smashed a single to right center to put runners on the corners. Mike H. drove in the 1st run with a single. John continued to rake with a line single to right. Patrick picked up his 2nd triple of the game with a drive to right center as two more runs scored. Patrick scored on Barry’s single for the 5th run. Tommy ripped another single to left field to advance the runners. Mike M. finished off the inning with a two-run triple down the left field line to put the Keystones up by eleven runs. The teams then flip flopped (much to the chagrin of several Keystone players) and the Pioneers came up for their open inning.
Pioneers- down by double digits, the Pioneers tried to claw their way back in this one. Chris popped out to 3B to lead off the inning. Bobby bounced out to short and there were quickly two outs. Paul singled up the middle to keep the Pioneers faint hopes alive. Jim singled and Donnie reached 1B on a poor throw from short as Paul scored on the misplay. Ray singled to load the bases. Jack’s single brought in the 2nd run. Mike ripped a run-scoring hit to left field to bring in the 3rd run. Sal grounded sharply between SS and 3B, Peter made a great play of the ball and made the easy toss to 2B for the game ending force play.
Final Score: Keystones 16 Pioneers 8
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Sultans (3-3-0) vs. Braves (6-1-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Sultans- looking to bounce back after being held to only two runs last Thursday vs. the Keystones. Donnie Janac led off with a single and moved to 3B on Pater Atkins line single to left. Ray Pilgrim got Donnie home with the 1st run on a fielder’s choice ground out. Don Roets line out to John Flowers in right center for the 2nd out. Rip Wright went down swinging to retire the side. 2nd– Adam Gordon opened the 2nd with an infield hit. Jack Kelly followed with a single to right and Ray Saldana walked to load the bases. The next five Sultan batters all got base hits to bring in five runs. Mercenaries (Jack Adams, Patrick Schmidt and Margarito Canava) all produced RBI singles to push across the first three runs in the inning. Donnie and Peter wrapped up the Sultan’s big inning with back-to-back run scoring singles.
Braves- down by six, the Braves came out swinging in the bottom of the 1st as the first five batters reached base. Doc Hobar singled to start the inning and moved to 3B on Bobby Miller’s double to right center. Paul Rubin drove in both runners with a single to right center. Lynn Simpson moved Paul to 3B with a single to right and he scored on Tom Brownfield’s dribbler in front of the mound. Jim Foelker popped out to 3B for the 1st out. Tom Kelm bounced into a fielder’s choice out at 2B for the 2nd out. Joe Dayoc grounded to 3B, and Peter made the throw to 2B to get the force and end the inning. 2nd-Mercenaries (Mike Hill, John Flowers and Johnny Neville) led off in the 2nd. Mike drilled a ball to right center for a leadoff double and scored on John’s line smash to right. Johnny singled to put runners on 1B and 2B. Doc popped out to 1B for the 1st out. Bobby flew out to Donnie in CF for the 2nd out. On the play, John tagged up and moved to 3B. Jim Foelker (running for Johnny) decided to go for 2B but was thrown out easily to end the inning.
End of 2nd Score: Sultans 6 Braves 4
Third Inning Recap:
Sultans- Ray Pilgrim grounded pack to P Tom K. to start the 3rd. Don and Rip delivered back-to-back singles to get things rolling for the Sultans. Adam singled to load the bases and Jack K. drew a walk to force in the 1st run of the inning. The next play was one for the books! The bases were loaded, and Ray S. hit a ground ball to 3B. I was playing up and fielded the ball cleanly. I started to throw home, but Ray never left the box, so I hesitated and attempted to throw over him (to his credit he did attempt to duck down). Johnny’s view was blocked, and he was unable to make the catch on my elevated throw. Both Johnny and I thought interference would be called and the batter would be ruled out. Unfortunately, no call was made, and Johnny began a discussion with home plate umpire, Greg Tolander, and neglected to go after the loose ball. The Sultans base runners alertly kept going and three runners passed the plate before the ball was retrieved. Much discussion ensued and we even got an opinion from the B league rules guy, Jeff Stone, saying the batter has the right to stay in the box. When all the dust settled, Greg ruled no interference, and all three runs stood. I thought Greg handled the situation well even if I did not agree with the no call. Johnny did some research on the SSUSA website and confirmed that in this scenario, the batter should have been called out for interference. The situation is further complicated as Ray was using a runner from the plate on the play. The fact that Peter was running left Ray in the box where he clearly interfered with my throwing and Johnny’s ability to catch the ball. Ok, that’s all I have to say about that! Jack A. quickly completed the Sultan’s 2nd five run inning with a line single to left.
Braves– now trailing by seven runs, the Braves staged an uprising of their own with a five-run inning to keep this one close. Paul led off the inning with a line shot past Adam at SS. Lynn singled to move Paul to 2B, and he scored on Tom B.’s line single to left. Jim drove in Lynn with base hit for the 2nd run. Tom K. followed with an RBI double to drive in the 3rd run. Joe D. singled over 3B to drive in the 4th run. Mike H. singled to advance the runners and John knocked in the 5th run with a scorching drive to right.
End of 3rd Score: Sultans 11 Braves 9
Fourth Inning Recap:
Sultans- Braves pitcher, Tom Kelm, held the Sultans in check as they failed to score in the frame. Patrick grounded sharply up the middle and Tom knocked the ball down and made the play to get Patrick at 1B for the 1st out. Margarito went down swinging for the 2nd out. Donnie and Peter had back-to-back singles as each completed their perfect 3-3 days at the plate. Ray P. hit a deep fly to right center that Bobby caught for the final out.
Braves—down by two runs, the Braves pushed across five more runs to take the lead. Johnny opened the inning with a single. Doc followed with a base hit to right. Bobby crushed a ball to the right center field gap for a two-run triple. Paul knocked him in with a line drive hit to left center. Lynn laced a single to left center to move Paul to 2B. Tom B. drilled a run scoring single to left to score Paul with the 4th run. Jim loaded the bases with a single and Tom K. finished off the five-run frame with a sharp single to left.
End of 4th Score: Braves 14 Sultans 11
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Sultans– went down quietly in the buffet inning. Don went down swinging to lead off the frame. Rip was retired on a pop up to short and Adam grounded back to the pitcher for a 1-2-3 inning as the Braves improved their record to 7-1-0.
Final Score: Braves 14 Sultans 11
Session Three Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 3rd Session |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Braves |
7 |
1 |
0 |
0.875 |
109 |
70 |
39 |
– |
|
Senators |
4 |
3 |
0 |
0.571 |
67 |
67 |
0 |
2.50 |
|
Keystones |
4 |
3 |
0 |
0.571 |
76 |
64 |
12 |
2.50 |
|
Sultans |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0.429 |
58 |
74 |
-16 |
3.50 |
|
Pioneers |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0.000 |
48 |
83 |
-35 |
6.50 |
The Braves bounced back after last week’s defeat at the hands of the Senators and the Pioneers are still searching for that elusive 1st win of the session.
Full Session Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 Season To-date Standings |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Braves |
22 |
7 |
0 |
0.759 |
410 |
292 |
118 |
– |
|
Senators |
13 |
14 |
0 |
0.481 |
320 |
342 |
-22 |
8.00 |
|
Keystones |
13 |
15 |
0 |
0.464 |
334 |
343 |
-9 |
8.50 |
|
Pioneers |
12 |
16 |
0 |
0.429 |
291 |
321 |
-30 |
9.50 |
|
Sultans |
10 |
18 |
0 |
0.357 |
301 |
358 |
-57 |
11.50 |
The Braves continue their winning ways and now lead the 2nd place Senators by eight games with the Keystones and Pioneers still in the battle for 2nd place.
Next Games: Thursday July 24, 2025
Game 1 8:30 a.m. (H) Pioneers (0-7-0) vs. (V) Sultans (3-4-0)
Game 2 9:30 a.m. (H) Senators (4-3-0) vs. (V) Keystones (4-3-0)
Braves have a bye on Thursday so their players will have priority in the draw.
Will the Pioneers get off the schneid and get that first win? Who will prevail in a great matchup for sole possession of 2nd place between the Senators and the Keystones. How many mercenaries will be needed to make sure the games will be played? All will be revealed come Thursday.
New Summer Hours:
We will be moving our scheduled start times up by thirty (30) minutes effective August 11, 2025, to help us better deal with the Texas heat. The new start times will be 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.