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July 20, 2014
By Mike Mannucci, Jersey Pilots
Despite an unexpected 5-day break from game action, the Pilots were firing on all cylinders Sunday evening against the division-leading Allentown Railers and came away with a big home victory by a score of 4-2.
The story of this ball game was the starting pitcher, Stephen Silvestri, who picked up right where he left off with another exceptional outing against an offensively proven roster in the Allentown Railers. Throughout this season, the Pilots have played their best baseball when their starting pitching leads the way, and the left-hander out of the University of Pennsylvania carried the load once again. At this point in the season, the expectation from the Pilots coaching staff is that their ace will undoubtedly provide the Pilots with 7-plus strong innings and a chance to win every outing when Silvestri starts. Fulfilling that expectation, Silvestri took on 7.2 innings pitched giving up just five hits, two unearned runs, and a staggering 10 strikeouts versus the 1st place Railers. After throwing over 100 pitches and some sloppy play from his defense in the 8th inning, Andrew Torres came on to relive Silvestri with 2 outs in the inning and got the Pilots out of trouble by striking out the only batter he faced. Torres finished off the game with a save for Jersey, holding off the Railers late-game comeback. The offense for the Pilots was a collective effort from the entire lineup with Sean Feeney, Anthony Critelli, and Malcolm Kelsey each tacking on an RBI for Jersey. Furthermore, it would be remiss to not acknowledge the hitting consistency from the heart of the Pilots order featuring all-stars Ian Glassman, Anthony Critelli, and Malcolm Kelsey respectively, who each had two hits on the night. Overall, the collective effort on offensive was a positive sign, and the strong work that Silvestri put in could potentially help the Pilots gain some momentum in a tight playoff race down the stretch.
The Pilots next game is Wednesday night on July 23rd when they visit the South Jersey Giants at Lindenwold Complex.
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July 19, 2014
By Matt Nelson, Trenton Generals Baseball Club
On the day after the ACBL All-Star Game, Andrew Cohen gave up three runs in the eighth inning as the Trenton Generals fell to the South Jersey Giants 5-2 on Friday evening.
Tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth, John Brue led off with a single to shallow centerfield. Josh Limon was hit by a pitch from Cohen. Mike Marchitto hit a sacrifice bunt toward third base, but the throw by Andy Lopez sailed over the head of Brandon Kirk and Brue came in to from second base. Josh Limon scored on the throwing error by Kirk. After Rick Elfreth grounded out to second, Kyle Lindsay hit an RBI sacrifice fly out to centerfield and the Giants jumped out to a 4-1 lead.
South Jersey put the first of the day on the board on the top of the third. Kyle Lindsay was hit by a pitch from Generals’ starting pitcher Adam Schreck. Following a swinging strikeout by Jon Theckston, Lindsay stole second base. Shaine Hughes ripped an RBI single down the left field line to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.
The Generals tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Luke Westerberg struck out swinging off the glove of Giants’ reliever Kevin Milley. Mike Piscopo laced a single to left field and advanced on a wild pitch. Michael Mecca walked on a full count. After a swinging strikeout by Joe Jensen, Steven Kowalski ripped an RBI single to left-centerfield and the game was tied 1-1.
After South Jersey jumped out to a 4-1 lead, Trenton cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the eighth. David Osnato led off with a single down the left field line. Ryan Reitmeyer laced a single to left field. After a swinging strikeout by Brandon Kirk, Westerberg reached on an error by Shaine Hughes. Mike Piscopo grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice to cut South Jersey’s lead to 4-2.
The Giants returned the favor in the top of the ninth. Hughes led off with single to shallow centerfield Generals closer Ryan Thomas. Anthony Cocuzza reached on an error by Lopez. Nick Tierno walked on a full pitch. After Brue struck out looking, Josh Limon delivered with an RBI single to right centerfield.
Matt Rakus picks up the victory (4-1) giving up one run on three hits, no walks and two strikeouts in the seventh and eighth innings. Cohen receives his first loss (2-1) in a Generals uniform. The right-hander from Marist College allowed three runs (one earned), on one hit, one walk and one strikeout in 2 2/3 innings.
The Generals welcome the Jersey Pilots to Mercer County Community College for the only time this season. The two teams square off in a doubleheader on Saturday, July 19 beginning at 1:00 P.M. Listen to the game with Matt Nelson at www.ustream.tv/channel/trenton-generals-baseball.
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John Giakas and Kyle Cullen Named Co-MVPs
July 17, 2014
By Phil Engel, Quakertown Blazers
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – The Kaiser Division All-Stars defeated the All-Stars from the Wolff Division 3-0 in the ACBL All-Star Game on Thursday night in front of a packed house at Quakertown Memorial Park. John Giakas from the Staten Island Tide and Kyle Cullen of the North Jersey Eagles were named Co-MVPs.
Giakas was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Cullen also notched two base hits including a double and scored a run for the Kaiser Division.
The Kaiser Division pitching staff held the Wolff All-Stars to five hits and one walk in the game. Delio Coutinho (Staten Island) earned the victory, pitching a hitless third inning while racking up two strikeouts. Steve Bloodworth of North Jersey allowed one hit but punched out two in the ninth to record the save.
The Kaiser All-Stars cracked the run column in the fourth inning off Wolff pitcher Ryan Flipowicz (Quakertown) as Giakas singled home Dane McDermott (North Jersey) for the game’s first run. Flipowicz allowed three hits and one run in the frame to receive the loss for the Wolff All-Stars.
The Wolff Division threatened in the bottom of sixth inning as Jacen Nalesnik (Allentown) and Joe Forcellini (Allentown) singled with two outs. Both runners advanced an extra base on a wild pitch from Matthew Kostlos (Staten Island). Kostalos, however, was able to escape without any damage as he got Anthony Reinz (Allentown) to chase a ball in the dirt for a strikeout to end the inning.
In the seventh, the Wolff All-Stars had another chance to get on the scoreboard as Michael Caputo (Jersey) was in scoring position with one out. But Tom Fazzini (South Jersey) got out of the jam as he got Matt Hansen (Lehigh Valley) to line out to left. Caputo strayed too far off of second base and was not able to get back in time and was doubled up to end the scoring chance.
Giakos added another RBI in the eighth as he tattooed a ball into the right field gap off Wolff pitcher Kevin Long (Quakertown). Cullen scored easily from second to put the Kaiser All-Stars in front 2-0.
The Kaiser All-Stars tacked on another run in the ninth as John Brucker (North Jersey) brought home his teammate Dane McDermott on a single to right to increase their lead to 3-0.
Bloodworth came on to close out the game in the ninth. He struck out the first two men he faced before allowing a two-out hit to Reinz. Bloodworth then retired Chris Melillo of Quakertown on a fly ball to center to end the game.
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July 16, 2014
The best players of the Kaiser Division will go head-to-head with the best of the Wolff Division in the ACBL All-Star Game on Thursday, July 17 at 7 P.M. Matt Nelson will have the Play-by-Play action with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 P.M. on USStream.
Click here to listen to the game
Click here to watch the game
Click here to view the rosters
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July 14, 2014
The rosters for the ACBL All-Star game on Thursday July 17 at Memorial Park in Quakertown have been released.
The Wolff Divison which consists of the Allentown Railers, Jersey Pilots, Lehigh Valley Catz and Quakertown Blazers will host the Kaiser Division All-Stars. The North Jersey Eagles, South Jersey Giants, Staten Island Tide and Trenton Generals make up the Kaiser Division.
Doug Cinnella, manager of North Jersey, will manage the Kaiser Division while Dylan Dando, manager of the Allentown Railers, will oversee the Wolff Division All-Stars.
Home team batting practice begins at 5:30pm and visitors hit at 6:00pm. Infield/outfield drills start at 6:30pm with game scheduled to start at 7pm.
Click here to view the rosters
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