Game Day Gazette
November 6, 2025
Back on our regular schedule, another beautiful fall day with bright sunshine and temperatures in the high 50’s…
ame 1 8:00 a.m. Braves (2-4-1) vs. Keystones (4-2-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Braves– having clinched the league championship on Monday, would the Braves come out flat knowing there was nothing to play for except pride, I think not. Their crafty manager, Tom Kelm, decided to shake things up in the batting lineup and in the field for today’s contest. The venerable Billy Hill moved up to the leadoff spot and proceeded to ground out to 3B to start the game. Jim Foelker followed with a ground single past shortstop Ken Brown. Tom Kelm lined a single to left center, and the Braves were off and running. Keith Kreitman continued to rake at the plate and smacked a single to center to drive in the 1st run. Doc Hobar was retired on a fly ball to CF for the 2nd out. Paul Rubin drove a ball over Patrick’s head in left center for a two-run triple. Tom Brownfield followed with a sharp single to right center to bring in Paul with the 4th run. Lynn Simpson ripped a ball up the middle to move Tom to 2B. Brian Rider drew a walk to load the bases and Dave Berra stepped up and lashed a single to CF to bring in the Braves 5th run. 2nd– The Braves two mercenaries (Gary Coyle and Ray Pilgrim) led off the 2nd with back-to-back singles. Billy flew out to John Flowers in CF for the 1st out. Jim singled to left center to drive in Gary with the 1st run. Tom K. grounded one back to P Tommy DeLeon who made a nice throw to 2B to get the force as Ken competed a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Keystones-with their dreams of a championship T shirt up in smoke, the Keystones were looking to get some satisfaction in taking down the champs. Tom Kelm did a good job of working around the Keystones dangerous lineup and held them to a single run in the 1st. Mike Hill grounded to the newly inducted hall of famer, Doc Hobar, at 2B for the 1st out. John Flowers and Patrick followed with back-to-back hits. Ken Brown drew a walk to load the bases. Mike Mordecai ground into a fielder’s choice as John scored on the play. Bobby Hawthorne fouled out to close out the initial frame. 2nd– Keystones bounced back in the 2nd as they sent eight batters to the plate and scored five runs to tie the game. Tommy DeLeon and Robby Vickery opened the inning with back-to-back hits. Morris Carter reached on an infield hit to load the bases with nobody out. Donnie Janac grounded into a fielder’s choice as the runner from 3B came across the plate. Lucky Hoffman lined a single to left to drive in the 2nd run. Mike H. singled to right center to drive in the 3rd run. John knocked in the 4th run with a base hit to right and Patrick finished off the five-run inning with a fielder’s choice grounder to bring in the runner from 3B.
End of 2nd Score: Braves 6 Keystones 6
Third Inning Recap:
Braves- added a couple of runs in the inning to take the lead. Keith led off the inning with a dribbler in front of the plate that went for a base hit. Doc lined a single to right to put runners on 1B and 2B. Paul flew out to Patrick for the 1st out. Tom B. blasted a shot to right center to bring in both runners. Lynn was retired for the 2nd out. Brian singled to put runners on the corners. Dave got the 2nd Braves 2nd “nubber” in front of the plate to load the bases. Gary stroked the ball well, but Patrick made the catch in left center to retire the side.
Keystones– Tom K. continued to confound the Keystones hitters in the scoreless 3rd inning, Ken and Mike M. started the frame with back-to-back hits. Bobby Hawthorne fouled out for the 1st out. Tommy reached on an infield single to load the bases. Robby lined out to Doc for the 2nd out and Morris fouled out to end the threat.
End of 3rd Score: Braves 8 Keystones 6
Fourth Inning Recap:
Braves- Ray led off the inning by grounding one back to the pitcher for the 1st out. Billy was retired on a grounder to short for the 2nd out. Jim crushed a ball to left center that gapped the outfielders as he scooted around the bases for an inside the park home run. Tom K. followed with a single down the 3B line. Keith ended the inning (making perhaps his 1st out since returning to play a few week ago) by grounding into a fielder’s choice out at 2B.
Keystones– were retired in order in the 4th. Donnie popped out to short on a good catch by the long-armed Tom Brownfield. Lucky grounded out to short and Mike flew out to Dave in right center to retire the side.
End of 4th Score: Braves 9 Keystones 6
Fifth Inning Recap:
Braves- Doc ground out to Mike M. at 3B leading off the 5th. Paul followed by lacing a single to left center. Tom B. ripped a single to left center, but Paul was thrown out trying to advance to 3B on a nice throw from Patrick (not sure if there was a relay or it went directly from the outfield but in any case, I was out by a step). Lynn popped out to short to end the scoreless inning.
Keystones– John led off the 5th with a flyball out to short CF. Patrick followed with a double to right, and he scored on Ken’s single to the right side. Mike M. flew out to right center ahead of Bobby’s fielder’s choice groundout to end the frame.
End of 5th Score: Braves 9 Keystones 7
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
Braves- managed to scratch out a run to extend their lead. Brian opened the inning with a flyball to CF for the 1st out. Dave reached base when Mike H. could not make the play of a shallow pop that never left the infield. Gary crushed a run-scoring triple to deep left field to get the Braves on the scoreboard. Ray grounded out to short as Gary held at 3B. Billy fouled out to close out the frame.
Keystones– chasing three runs with the bottom part of the lineup coming to the plate, things did not look good for the men in Red. Tommy and Robby opened the buffet inning with back-to-back hits. Morris went down swinging for the 1st out. Donnie singled to score Ken from 2B for the Keystones 1st run. Lucky drilled a ball between 2B and 3B for an RBI single to close the gap to one run. Mike H. picked up the 3rd consecutive hit to load the bases. John lined a single to right center to bring in two runs as the Keystones “walked off” the Braves by a final score of 11-10.
Final Score: Keystones 11 Braves 10
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Senators (2-4-0) vs. Pioneers (0-5-1)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Senators- the Pioneers only had five of their regulars available for this one, so they relied heavily on the six mercenaries that joined the team for today’s game (Mike Mordecai, Gary Coyle, Jim Foelker, Rip Wright, Ray Pilgrim and Lucky Hoffman). Ray took the mound for the Blue Man Group, and he was masterful in the initial two frames. Denny Malloy rapped a base hit leading off the game. Greg Lloyd bounced one back to Ray and he fired to 2B, and Jack completed the 1-6-3 double play. Dean Hector back in the lineup after an extended time away reached on an infield single. Terry Watts walked to load the bases, but Ray got Terry Thompson to ground out to short to retire the side. 2nd– Rick Parker led off the 2nd with a ground single to 3B. Henry Flores grounded to 2B, Scott flipped to Jack who completed the 4-6-3 double play. Will Scheerer lined a ball up the middle that Ray speared for the final out as the Senators failed to score in the initial two frames.
Pioneers– still looking for their 1st win of the session, things looked promising for the Pioneers in the early stages of this battle. Jack Adams smacked a leadoff triple to right center and scored on Scott Wright’s line single to right. Butch Barber drew a walk and Art Monzingo singled to drive in Scott with the 2nd run. Chris Hurst grounded to 3B, and Tom Brownfield stepped on the bag and made a perfect throw home to complete the 5U 5-2 double play. Mike Mordecai ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning. 2nd– Gary Coyle led off the 2nd with a single to left. Jim Foelker fouled out, and Rip Wright grounded one back to the pitcher for two quick outs. Ray Pilgrim smacked a hard single up the middle to bring in Gary with the 1st run. Lucky Hoffman followed with a sharp single to left. Jack picked up his 2nd extra base hit as he doubled to right center to bring in two more runs. Scott ripped a single to right to score Jack with the Pioneers 4th run. Butch followed with a single, but Art bounced into a force play for the 3rd out.
End of 2nd Score: Pioneers 6 Senators 0
Third Inning Recap:
Senators- got themselves back in the game with a five-run outburst. The mercenaries keyed this inning as Peter Atkins, Tom Brownfield and Donnie Janac started the inning with successive hits to bring in the 1st run of the day for the Sens. Denny ripped a ball to left field and the ball spun just out of the reach of LF Jim Foelker for a bases clearing two-run triple. Gerg walked and Dean popped out to short for the 2nd out. Raul grounded a single up the middle to score Denny. Terry W. grounded to 2B and after an initial bobble, Scott tried to go home to beat Greg running from 3B. His throw was off target as the Senators completed their five-run inning.
Pioneers- Chris led off the 3rd with a fly ball pout to LF. Mike M., Gary and Jim followed with consecutive hits to load the bases. Rip smacked a single past 2B to bring in Mike with the 1st run. Ray bounced back to the mound and Raul fielded the ball cleanly and started an inning ending 1-6-3 double play.
End of 3rd Score: Pioneers 7 Senators 5
Fourth Inning Recap:
Senators– Ray shut down the Senators in order in the 4th. Terry T. and Rick lined out to shortstop on the 1st two pitches of the frame. Henry managed to fly out to CF for a very quick 1-2-3 inning.
Pioneers– jumped out to a seven-run lead with a five-run explosion in the inning. Lucky led off the inning with another clean base hit to left. Jack followed with his third extra base hit of the day as his double moved Lucky to 3B. Scott ripped a ball towards 1B and Greg made the defensive play of the day as he plucked the ball out of the air for the 1st out. Butch followed with a line single to right, scoring both runners. Art walked and Chris lined out to short for the 2nd out. Mike M. came up with a big two-out hit to drive in two more runs. Gary finished off the inning with an RBI single through the 5/6 hole.
End of 4th Score: Pioneers 12 Senators 5
Fifth Inning Recap:
Senators– continuing their feast or famine approach in this game, the Senators stormed back with their 2nd five-run inning. The inning did not start out well as Will fouled out and Peter’s deep fly to CF was snagged by Art for two quick outs. Tom B. and Donnie singled and both runners scored as Denny’s fly to shallow left spun away from Jim for a two-run double. Greg and Dean singled to load the bases. Raul delivered with a two-run single to the right side. Terry W. looped a single to right to drive in the 5th run of the frame.
Pioneers– with their once sizable lead now down to two runs, the Pioneers picked up a single run in the 5th. Jim singled down the left field line to start the inning. Rip grounded out to 1B on a nice stop by Greg. Ray flew out to CF for the 2nd out. Lucky, showing great improvement at the plate, completed his perfect 3-3 day at the plate with a single to move Jim to 3B. Jack had his 4th extra base hit in a perfect 4-4 day as his double scored Jim. Lucky tried to score from 1B but the throw from CF to 2B and home beat him by a step for the final out.
End of 5th Score: Pioneers 13 Senators 10
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
Senators- down by three, the Senators came through with seven big runs to take control of this one. Terry T. lined a leadoff single to left to get things started. Rick bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Henry walked and Will grounded into a force at 2B. Down to their final out, the mercenaries led the Senators rally to take the lead. Peter and Tom B. mashed back-to-back doubles to drive in three runs and tie the score. Donnie singled past 3B to score Tom B.’ s pinch runner with the go-ahead run. Denny walked (completing a 3-3 day with 1B, 2B, 3B and BB) and Greg lined an RBI single to right to increase the Senators lead. Dean and Raul followed with back-to-back RBI singles (Raul’s 4th hit and 4th RBI) as the lead grew to four runs. Terry W. bounced back to the pitcher for the final out.
Pioneers– with the tables now turned and the Pioneers chasing four runs, the rally in the buffet inning came up just short. Scott led off the inning with a hot shot to 1B, and Henry knocked the ball down and beat Scott to the base by a step for a big 1st out in the frame. Butch and Art followed with back-to-back singles. Chris lined out to 3B for the 2nd out. Mike drew a walk to load the bases. Gary lined a shot to left center to score two runs and bring the Pioneers within two runs of the lead. Jim loaded the bases with an infield single, but Raul was able to get Rip to ground out to short and Peter threw to Tom for a force at 3B to end the game. Another heartbreaking loss for the Pioneers!
Final Score: Senators 17 Pioneers 15
Session Five Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 5th Session |
||||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
Remaining Games |
|
Sultans |
7 |
0 |
0 |
1.000 |
98 |
68 |
30 |
– |
4.00 |
|
Keystones |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0.714 |
87 |
72 |
15 |
2.00 |
4.00 |
|
Senators |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0.429 |
70 |
86 |
-16 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
|
Braves |
2 |
5 |
1 |
0.250 |
93 |
88 |
5 |
5.00 |
4.00 |
|
Pioneers |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0.000 |
66 |
100 |
-34 |
6.50 |
4.00 |
Looks like a two-team race for the session crown as the Keystones climbed back to within two games of the front-running Sultans with their win today.
Full Session Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 Season To-date Standings |
||||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
Remaining Games |
|
Braves |
32 |
20 |
1 |
0.613 |
723 |
591 |
132 |
– |
4.00 |
|
Keystones |
27 |
24 |
0 |
0.529 |
611 |
596 |
15 |
4.50 |
4.00 |
|
Sultans |
24 |
24 |
3 |
0.500 |
601 |
623 |
-22 |
6.00 |
4.00 |
|
Senators |
22 |
26 |
2 |
0.460 |
601 |
640 |
-39 |
8.00 |
4.00 |
|
Pioneers |
18 |
29 |
4 |
0.392 |
516 |
602 |
-86 |
11.50 |
4.00 |
Next Monday’s Games:
8:30 a.m. (H) Keystones (5-2-0) vs. (V) Senators (3-4-0)
9:30 a.m. (H) Sultans (7-0-0) vs. (V) Braves (2-5-1)
Pioneers will have a bye, and their players will have priority in the draw.
Forecast for Monday is a high in the 60’s and lows in the 40’s. Please watch your email Sunday evening for updates on possible delays or cancellation of Monday’s games. We only have four games left to play so we are going to make every effort to play ball.
We will have some folks gone to play tournament ball in Phoenix next week so good chance to get in some extra games if you are interested.
Have a great weekend!
Paul