Game Day Gazette
October 23, 2025
Thanks to the Braves’ recent string of losses (winless in the final session through five games), the 2025 season has turned into an actual pennant race. Yes, I realize we are only playing for the “coveted” championship T shirts but there is also the matter of pride and accomplishment that goes along with winning the title. There are only seven games to play in the season, and the Braves lead has been trimmed to four games as the hard-charging Keystones refuse to lose. The Sultans (where was this team earlier in the season?) remain undefeated in the 5th session and have staved off elimination as they trail by only six- and one-half games. The next four plus weeks will determine if the Braves will replicate the 1964 Phillies for the biggest blown leads in a pennant race or if they will right the ship and hold off the Keystones and the Sultans and claim the crown. Pretty exciting stuff!
Game 1 8:00 a.m. Keystones (3-1-0) vs. Senators (0-2-1)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Early on this looked like a pitcher’s duel as the two teams accounted for only three runs in the first two innings.
Keystones– comfortably back in the leadoff spot, Mike “Hitman” Hill opened the game with a line single to right center. John Flowers hit a two-hopper to 2B that was turned into a 4-6-3 double play. Patrick Schmidt laced a double down the left field line and scored on Ken Brown’s double to right center. Mike Mordecai’s line single over 3B scored Ken with the 2nd run before Bobby Hawthorne made the third out. 2nd– Raul DeLeon retired Tommy DeLeon and Margarito Canava on infield groundouts to start the frame. Robby Vickery and Johnny Neville followed with back-to-back singles. Bobby Miller bounced back to the pitcher to end the scoreless 2nd inning.
Senators-Denny Malloy led off the inning with a sharp single up the middle. Henry Flores was retired on a flyball to shallow CF. Raul DeLeon singled up the middle as Denny reached 3B. Tim Coyle ripped a single to left center to score Denny with the 1st run. Terry Watts singled up the middle to load the bases, and it looked like the start of a big inning for the Senators. Will Scheerer lined out to short for the 2nd out. Jerry Mylius hit a pop fly to shallow CF, and it looked like Bobby Miller was going to make the catch to end the inning. After a long run, Bobby was unable to secure the catch. With two outs, the runners on base should have been off with the hit but Terry inexplicably held up going from 1B to 2B and Bobby recovered in time to make the throw to 2B for the inning ending force out. 2nd– Tommy DeLeon shut down the Senators in the 2nd holding them to a single hit. Roger Geras ground out to short to open the inning. Jim Aaron singled but was forced out at 2B on Scott Wright’s grounder to short. Donnie Janac lined out to short to retire the side.
End of 2nd Score: Keystones 2 Senators 1
Third Inning Recap:
Keystones– Well, so much for the pitcher’s duel! The Keystones pounded out seven hits including three of the extra base variety on their way to a five-run inning. Gary Coyle led off with a pop fly behind short that looked uncatchable for anyone except the indomitable Jim Aaron, who made an over the shoulder Willie Mays style catch for the 1st out. Mike H. ripped a drive to right that skipped past the right fielder for a triple. John followed with a similar hit that resulted in an RBI double. Patrick drive to right center barely eluded Terry’s glove and with Patrick’s speed he ended up on 3B. Ken and Mike M. followed with back-to-back singles to bring in the 3rd run. Bobby grounded into a force out but Tommy and Margarito each delivered run-scoring singles to complete the Keystones five-run inning.
Senators- Hoping to bounce back and keep this one close, Tom Brownfield (welcome back!) led off with an infield single. Denny ripped a hard grounder down the 1B line and Mike Hill made an excellent backhand stop and stepped on the base for the 1st out. Tom initially held his ground at 1B but again inexplicably took off to 2B and was tagged out by Mike to compete the 3U double play (once Mike stepped on 1B the force was no longer in play so Tom could have stayed safely at 1B). Henry slapped a single up the middle but was forced out at 2B on Raul’s grounder to short to end the inning.
End of 3rd Score: Keystones 7 Senators 1
Fourth Inning Recap:
Keystones- continued to rake as the Keystones put up their 2nd five-run inning. Robby and Johnny opened the frame with back-to-back singles. Bobby Miller lined a ball to deep left and Donnie ran it down for the 1st out. Gary blasted a double to left center to score both runners. Mike completed his perfect 3-3 day at the plate with another single. John dribbled one in front of the plate and Will overthrew Jerry at 1B as John reached 2B with an RBI “double”. Patrick singled to bring in Mike and Ken completed the five-run 4th with a liner to left to get Patrick home.
Senators– down by eleven runs, the Senators showed some life as they put up five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The first four batters (Tim, Terry, Will and Jerry) all reached on singles to produce two runs. Roger popped out to 1B for the 1st out. Jim ripped an RBI single to left center to score the 3rd run. Scott fouled out to the catcher for the 2nd out. Donnie drilled a single to left center for the 4th run and Tom B.’s single to right capped off the Senator’s five run inning.
End of 4th Score: Keystones 12 Senators 6
Fifth Inning Recap:
Keystones- the unstoppable force that is the Keystones continued with their 3rd consecutive five-run inning in the 5th. Mike Mordecai led off with a line single to left to complete his perfect 3-3 day at the plate. Bobby H., Tommy and Margarito followed with base hits to push the 1st run across. Robby singled to RF to drive in two more runs. Johnny grounded to 1B and Bobby M. hit one back to the pitcher for the 2nd out. But the Keystones would not be denied, and Gary smoked a single to left to score two runners and complete the five-run inning for the men in Red.
Senators– down by eleven, the Senators had a promising start to the inning. Denny led off with a single and moved to 2B on Henry’s base hit up the middle. Raul followed with a single to CF and 3B coach, Gerg Lloyd, elected to send Denny home. Bad decision as Bobby got to the ball quickly and Ken’s relay throw to Johnny at home beat Denny by a step. Tim followed with a line single to left center, but Bobby M. again got the ball in quickly and his throw to 2B beat Raul by a step for the 2nd out (the 3rd close call on the bases by yours truly that unfortunately went against the Senators). Terry walked and Will bounced back to the pitcher to end the scoreless but eventful 5th inning for the Senators.
End of 5th Score: Keystones 17 Senators 6
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
At this point, the teams flip flopped, and the Senators continued to bat in their open inning.
Senators- Tommy retired the first two hitters and it looked like it was going to be over and done. The Senators refused to roll over and singles by Jim, Scottie and Donnie loaded the bases. Tom B. hit a fly down the right field line that drifted into foul territory for a strike out to end the game.
Final Score: Keystones 17 Senators 6
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Sultans (4-0-0) vs. Braves (0-3-1)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Sultans– apologize if I missed some of the details in the first inning. Very short break between games left little time to update lineups etc. Donnie Janac and Gary Coyle opened the game with back-to-back singles. Peter Atkins ripped a single down the left field line to bring in the 1st run of the game. Ray Pilgrim’s single up the middle was the 4th hit in a row and produced the 2nd run. Jeff Broussard bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 1st out. Rip Wright drilled a single to CF to drive in the 3rd run. Adam Gordon hit a short pop fly to CF that dropped in for a run-scoring single. Lucky Hoffman finished off the Sultan’s five-run inning with a sacrifice fly to left to score Rip with the last run. 2nd– The mercenaries (Raul DeLeon, Mike Mordecai and Scott Wright) jumped right in and provided successive base hits to bring in the 1st run. Donnie flew out to right center for the 1st out. The next four batters (Gary, Peter, Ray and Jeff) produced run-scoring singles to give the Sultans their 2nd five-run inning and an early ten-run lead.
Braves- quickly down by ten runs, the Braves clawed their way back into this one with six runs in their first tow frames. Doc Hobar lashed a single to left to lead things off. Bobby Miller followed with a double to right center. Paul Rubin grounded back to Raul for the 1st out. Tom Brownfield (back from a lengthy absence for tournament play and vacation) hit a ling drive to center field that score Doc from 3B for the 1st run. Lynn Simpson drilled a single to left center to drive in Bobby with the Braves 2nd run. Tom Kelm lined a single to left to put runners on 1B and 2B. The Braves also welcomed back Keith Kreitman after a lengthy delay due to medical reason. Keith showed no signs on rust as he lined the 1st pitch for a single to load the bases. Billy Hill came up clutch as he lined a shot over short to bring in two more runs. Dave Berra flew out to right to close out the frame. 2nd– The mercenaries got things going in the 2nd. Tim Coles ground out to short but Ken Brown singled. Doc flew out to CF and Bobby walked to put runners on 1B and 2B. Paul singled to score Ken and Tom B. smacked a single to right to bring in Bobby with the 2nd run of the inning. Lynn drilled a ball to 3B but Gary was well positioned and made the catch for the final out.
End of 2nd Score: Sultans 10 Braves 6
Third Inning Recap:
Sultans- Tom Kelm shut down the potent Sultans lineup in the 2nd only allowing a hit and no runs. Rip led off with a single, but Adam bounced to Bobby at shortstop, and he was able to turn a 6U 6-3 double play. Lucky then ground out to 3B for the final out of the scoreless 3rd inning.
Braves- scrambled back to tie the game but did leave one run out there due to some questionable base running. Tom K. ripped a single to left to lead off the 3rd. Keith crushed a ball to left that went over Donnie’s head and roiled to the fence as Keith’s pinch runner circled the bases for a two-run inside the park home run. Billy singled but his pinch runner was forced out at 2B on Dave’s ground out. Tim singled to move the pinch runner to 3B, and he scored on Ken’s base hit to right. Doc popped out to short for the 2nd out. Bobby hit a drive to right field that Ray was unable to catch, and it fell in for a double. 3B coach, Dave Berra, was giving Tim’s pinch runner the green light to go home and Ken, who was close on his heels, misread the sign thinking it was meant for him. Lucky could not handle the throw to the plate but gathered himself, retrieved the ball and stepped on the plate just ahead of Ken for the final out.
End of 3rd Score: Sultans 10 Braves 10
Fourth Inning Recap:
Sultans– The mercenaries had no success against Tom K. in the 4th as he shut them down in order. Raul flew out to right center, Mike ground out to 3B and Scott bounced out to 2B for a 1-2-3 inning.
Braves– picked up a couple of runs to take the lead for the 1st time in this game. Paul lined out to 3B to start the inning. Tom B. hit a long flyball to right center for the 2nd out. Lynn and Tom followed with back-to-back singles to get things going for the Braves. Keith reached on an infield hit to load the bases. Billy hit a grounder to short, but Jeff could not handle Adam’s throw to 2B, and two runners came around to score. Bobby, running for Keith, tried to score as well but the throw home was handled by Lucky and the side was retired.
End of 4th Score: Braves 12 Sultans 10
Fifth Inning Recap:
Sultans- the Sultans regained the lead with a five-run outburst in the 5th. Donnie led off with a single and Gary and Peter followed with hits to bring in the 1st run. Ray and Jeff followed with back-to-back singles as two more runs scored. Rip and Adam kept the hit parade going (the first seven batters in the inning reached!) and brought in the 4th run. Lucky fouled out for the 1st out, but Raul hit a short fly to CF that fell in for a hit and the 5th run scored.
Braves– the Sultans were unable to cut into the Sultans lead in the 5th. Dave flew out to start the inning. Tim and Ken had back-to-back singles to start the Braves rally. Raul quickly shut down the Braves attack, getting Doc to ground into a force at 2B and Bobby to fly out to right. On that play, Ray drifted toward the right field line and stuck out his glove at the last moment to make the run-saving catch to retire the side.
End of 5th Score: Sultans 15 Braves 12
Sixth “Open” Inning Recap:
Sultans– sorry no details in the top half of the Sultans buffet inning. Short version, the Sultans did not score and left the Braves chasing three to tie and four to win the game.
Braves– Paul ground a single past Raul to lead off the buffet. Tom B. popped a single to right center to put runners on 1B and 2B. Lynn smacked a single up the middle to score Paul with the 1st run. Tom K. finished off his perfect 4-4 day at the plate with a line single to left to bring in the 2nd run. Keith likewise completed a perfect 4-4 day at the plate with a single to load the bases with nobody out. Billy hit a hard grounder to 3B, and Gary stepped on the base and his throw home beat Lynn to complete the 5U 5-2 double play. Dave flew out to Scott in right center to end the game as the Braves came up short again…
Final Score: Sultans 15 Braves 14
Postscript… I know as a “journalist” you are supposed to remain impartial but having to relive the details of this heart wrenching loss was very painful for your intrepid reporter!
Session Five Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 5th Session |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Sultans |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1.000 |
65 |
45 |
20 |
– |
|
Keystones |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0.800 |
68 |
49 |
19 |
1.00 |
|
Senators |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0.400 |
48 |
56 |
-8 |
3.00 |
|
Pioneers |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0.000 |
35 |
47 |
-12 |
4.00 |
|
Braves |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0.000 |
52 |
71 |
-19 |
4.50 |
Sorry Senators but this is now clearly a two-team race as both the Sultans and Keystones are playing head and shoulders above the competition…
Full Session Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2025 Season To-date Standings |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Braves |
30 |
19 |
1 |
0.610 |
682 |
574 |
108 |
– |
|
Keystones |
26 |
23 |
0 |
0.531 |
592 |
573 |
19 |
4.00 |
|
Sultans |
22 |
24 |
3 |
0.480 |
568 |
600 |
-32 |
6.50 |
|
Senators |
21 |
25 |
2 |
0.458 |
579 |
610 |
-31 |
7.50 |
|
Pioneers |
18 |
26 |
4 |
0.417 |
485 |
549 |
-64 |
9.50 |
News & Notes:
The annual ASSL luncheon will be on Monday, October 27th. If you have not signed up via Terry’s on-line link, please do so ASAP. It is important to get an accurate head count by division so we can accurately allocate the overall expenses between the divisions.
Reminder, Monday’s games will start at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. rather than 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. so we can play a complete game and be done for the B division early start time of 10:00 a.m.
Next Monday’s Games:
8:00 a.m. (H) Sultans (5-0-0) vs. (V) Senators (2-3-0)
9:00 a.m. (H) Keystones (4-1-0) vs. (V) Pioneers (0-3-1)
Braves will have a bye, and their players will have priority in the draw.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the long awaited rain.
See you Monday!
Paul