Sports
Highlanders go one up in finals
The Highlanders, with the best win-loss record in the Men's Softball League, were home to the Treds, conquerors of the Stampede in the semis, Monday evening at the Manter Memorial field, West Tisbury, in the first game of the best two of three final playoff series.
Treds captain Bart Kent is greeted by teammates at home after his game-opening home run. Photos by Ralph Stewart The Highlanders seized the high ground, winning the opening round, 20-14.
Both teams scored four runs in the first inning.
Bart Kent, captain of the Treds, started the dance with a booming lead-off home run over the right field fence. The next three batters, Asa Vought, Neal Estrella and Olsen Houghton all singled, loading the bases. Billy Johnson lined out to short. Graham Houghton walked forcing in Asa. George Madeiras flied out to right center. Patrick Ralston doubled scoring Neal and Olsen. Josh Emin took a called strike.
In the Highlanders half, Todd Hitchings lined out to right center. Ben Gunn singled up the middle. Ryan Kurth skied out to left. Jeremy Scheffer walked. Sam Griswold doubled driving in Gunn. Eric Soikelli homered chasing in Scheffer and Griswold. Julian Hickman flied out to left center.
Ben Gunn gobbled up ground balls and line drives at his shortstop position.In the top of the second, after Ken Wentworth reached, Ripper Roy, Kent, and Vought flied out.
The Highlanders added six to their side of the ledger in the bottom of the second inning, four on a grand slam by Ryan Kurth. Taylor Ives was credited with an rbi by flying out to left with Matt Kurth at third. Sam Griswold drove in the sixth run of the inning with a double with Scheffer aboard. Highlanders 10, Treds 4.
The Highlanders were ahead to stay, which is not to say the Treds were resigned to their fate. They would score four times in the top of the fourth when Ripper Roy cleared the fence with bases full of Treds. They scored six more runs in the sixth with timely hitting by Kent, Vought, Estrella, the Houghtons and Johnson. The rally ended when Ben Gunn started a 6-4-3 double play.
Fourteen runs were not enough to catch the Highlanders who finished the game with 20.
The two finalist teams went back at it Wednesday, the Treds trying to even the count and the Highlanders intent on claiming the title with a second win.
Home Run Derby
Following the Treds - Highlanders game, Monday, the League staged its third Home Run Derby, sponsored by Bill Miner and Sports Haven.
Bill Frizzell lofted one into the woods over the cyclone fence. Photo by Ralph Stewart Twelve batters took their turns trying to drive softballs over the cyclone outfield fence at Manter Memorial. Each batter could choose his own pitcher and each was given five "outs" - an out was anything that was not a fence-clearing home run.
The batting order was decided by chance, pulling names of preregistered batters, two per team, out of a hat.
Eric Hatt of the Brewhas was first to try his hand at the task. He smashed line drives into left and center fields but none made it over the fence. The Treds Neal Estella was next and managed to put one into the woods. Bill Johnson, the third batter, another Tred, drove two over the fence taking a lead he would hold until the very end of the batting order.
Jared Stobie, Ben Gunn, Ryan Kurth, and Greg Belcher failed to clear the chain link fence. Wildcats Bill Frizzell and Ryan Murtha succeeded once as did Sean Red and Sam Griswold.
The last batter to try his hand at home run hitting was Billy Panek. Billy put three into the scrub oak and poison ivy, enough to claim the winner's prize, a $50 gift certificate at Sports Haven in Tisbury.
But a general appeal was made for a second round of home run hitting and league commissioner Dan Sharkovitch readily agreed.
In the second round batters were given three outs. Ryan Murtha of the Wildcats emerged as the most successful fence clearer driving two over the fence and earning a share of the Sports Haven prize.
Chilmark 5K
First of the 1,499 runners to finish the annual Chilmark 5K road race, Saturday, was 17-year-old Louis Serafini of Niskayuna, New York. His winning time was 16:21.0, just shy of 10 seconds better than another 17-year-old, Ryan Laemel of Orange, N.J. who was second at 16:30.9. Neither approached last year's best by 25-year-old John Ciccarelli of Southbury, Conn., who completed the run in 15:27. In his attempt to repeat, Saturday, Ciccarelli finished third at 16:44.7.
The rest of the top ten at Chilmark were: (4) Michael Bhatt, 18, Bethany, Conn., 17:09.2; (5) David Melly, 16, Newton, 17:18.4; (6) Noah Jampol, 21, Waban, 24.5; (7) Mark Reppert, 18, Vineyard Haven, 17:30.4; (8) Matt Hyde, 32, Vineyard Haven, 17:36.0; (9) Alex Leopold, 19, Chilmark, 18:00.0; (10) Chris O'Donnell, 19, Beavertown, Ore.,18:01.4.
The first female to reach the finish line was 41-year-old Anne Curi Preisig of Falmouth in 18:56.0. She was 20th overall. Next was Erica Normandeau, 18, of Hopkinton in 20:27.0. She was 49th. The third female to finish the run was 49-year-old Karin Lehr of Belmont at 20:29.2. Julie Schmidt, 36, of Attleboro was the fourth in 20:48.3, and fifth was Lynne O'Donnell, 41, of Beaverton, Ore., in 20:50.2., Maureen Larkin, 45, of Walpole was sixth.
Young men had their way at Saturday's Chilmark 5K Road Race. Seventeen- year-old Louis Serafini (above) was first to arrive at the finish line and eight of the top ten were teenaged males. Photos by Susan Safford Also in the top ten were (7) Brianna Rogers, 18, of Lexington, Cathryn Skinner, 14, of Philadelphia, Jessica Reilly, 38, of Cranston, R.I., and Dara Kelly, 38, of Brookline.
Leading runners in their gender/age groups were:
Males 1-8: (1) George Goodhart, 8, London, 22:03; (2) Sam Cranston, 8, Vineyard Haven, 25:19.8; (3) Jack Collins, 7, Lawrenceville, N.J., 27:49.7; (4) Charlie White, 8, Rocky Hill, N.J., 27:49.8; (5) Alien O'Connor, 7, Chilmark, 28:16.6.
Females1-8: (1) Sarah Goodhart, 8, London, 29:23.9; (2) Casey O'Brien, 7, New York, N.Y., 30:29.8; (3) Keelin Schlageter, 7, Maplewood, N.J.32:27.2; (4) Lily Segal, 6,
Needham Heights, 33:51.4; (5) Liza O'Brien, 7. Hingham, 35:30.6.
The first female to complete the run was Anne Preisig, 41, of Falmouth.Males 9-11: (1) Jake Borgida, 10, Minneapolis, Minn., 20:52.6; (2) Jack O'Brien, 10, New York, N.Y., 22:09.5; (3) Max O'Brien, 9, New York, N.Y.,22:14.2; (4) Kyle Bretherton, 11, Seattle, Wash., 22:44.5; (5) Jackson Trimmer, 10, Aquinnah, 23:23.2.
Females 9-11: (1) Eve Goodhart, 11, London, 23:58.9; (2) Annie Sullivan, 11, Barrington, R.I., 25:15.7; (3) Haley Raftery, 11, Greenwich, Conn., 27:31.3; (4) Emma Ward, 11, Chilmark, 28:38.3; (5) Sarah Tully, 10, Wayland, 28:41.0.
Males 12-16: (1) David Melly, 16, Newton, 17:18.4; (2) Zachary Baxter, 16, Edgartown, 18:42.6; (3) Jeremy Alley Tarter, 13, Oak Bluffs, 18:53.9; (4) Aaron Kano-Bower, 16, Edgartown, 19:13.6; (5) Miles Knight, 16, Bloomfield, Conn., 19:32.0.
Females 12-16: (1) Cathryn Skinner, 14, Philadelphia, Pa., 2:18.3; (2) Ava Geyer, 16, Chilmark, 22:19.0; (3) Victoria Belcher, 15, Seekonk, 22:49.2; (4) Nora Letendre, 16, West Dennis, 23:51.6; (5) Melissa Johnson, 16, Aquinnah, 24:00.1.
Males 17-29: (1) Louis Serafini, 17, Niskayuna, N.Y., 16:21.0; (2) Ryan Laemel, 17, Orange, Conn., 16:30.9; (3) John Ciccarelli, 26, Southbury, Conn., 17:09.2; (4) Michael Bhatt, 18, Bethany, Conn., 17:09.2; (5) Noah Jampol, 21, Waban, 17:24.5.
Females17-29: (1) Erica Normandeau, 18, Hopkinton 20:19.7; (2) Brianna Rogers, 18, Lexingon, 21:10.0; (3) Kirsten Salline, 18, Hebraon, Conn., 21:51.9; (4) Julie McNeish, 22, Southbury, Conn., 22:56.6; (5) Emly Stamell, 25, Chilmark, 23:32.0.
Males 30-39: (1) Matt Hyde, 32, Vineyard Haven, 17:36.0; (2) Keith Tully, 37. Wayland, 18:49.6; (3) Hart Rogers, 34, Nashville, Tenn., 19:20.1; (4) Yves-Marc Courtines, 36, New York, N.Y., 19:38.3; (5) David Sussman, 32, Williamstown, 19:54.3.
Females 30-39: (1) Julie Schmidt, 36, North Attleboro, 20:48.3; (2) Jessica Reilly, 38, Cranston, R.I., 21:31.2; (3) Dara Kelly, 38, Brookline, 21:37.4; (4) Lillian Harris, 34, Bennington, Vt., 23:05.6; (5) Jennifer Gott, 33, New York, N.Y., 23:26.3.
Males 40-49: (1) Chris O'Donnell, Beavertown, Ore,.18:01.4; (2) Peter Knight, 43, Bloomfield, Conn., 18:09.8; (3) David Diriwachter, 40, Vineyard Haven, 18:11.4; (4) Scott Bosworth, 44, Hingham, 18:14.8; (5) Brian Flaherty, 49, Maynard, 19:38.5.
Females 40-49: (1) Anna Curi Preisig, 41, Falmouth, 18:56.0; (2) Karin Lehr, 40, Belmont, 20:29.2; (3) Lynne O'Donnell, 41. Beavertown, Ore. 20:50.2; (4) Maureen Larkin, 45, Walpole. 20:53.3; (5) Angelyn Thomas, 44, Oakland, Cal., 22:33,1.
Males 50-59: (1) Alex Kahan, 50, Norwich, Vt., 18:46.8; (2) Kevin McNamara, 57, Boston, 20:07.8; (3) Clark Ellithorpe, 59, Highland Park, Ill., 2:18.2; (4) Gregg Rubin, 51, Mamaroneck, N.Y., 21:26.1; (5) Dick Lehr, 55, Belmont, 21:34.5.
Females 50-59: (1) Joan Miller, 53. Chestnut Hill, 22:28.0; (2) Kyra McGrath, 54, Bela Cynwyd, Pa., 23:32.0; (3) Karen Berni-Giarusso, 51, Worcester, 23:41.6; (4) Cathi Gilmore, 57, Waban, 23:48.6; (5)Susan Kahan, 50, Norwich, Vt., 26:09.0.
Males 60-69: (1) Jim Austin, 66, Vineyard Haven, 21:25.7; (2) Leon Sample, 69, Alexandria, Va., 24:24.9; (3) Morgan Shipway, 67, Avon, Conn., 25:01.5; (4) Robert Doyle, 66, Vineyard Haven, 25:18.5; (5) John Clock, 60, Bantam, Conn., 25:31.6.
Females 60-69: (1) Phyllis Kugler, 63, West Tisbury, 25:26.5; (2) Susan Spector, 63, Jamaica Plain, 27:46.9; (3) Hynda Kleinman, 62, Washington, D.C., 27:48.9; (4) Vivian Spiro, 62, Brookline, 29:32.0; (5) Kathy Shands Mulinaare, 63, Chilmark, 30:16.5.
Males 70-98: (1) Jesse Aweida, 78, Chilmark, 28:16.1; (2) Joseph Bower, 70, Edgartown, 28:49.2; (3) Alan Poritz, 72, Princeton, N.J., 33:40.0; (4) Charles Zaroulis, 72, New York, N.Y., 34:08.2; (5) Chuck Wright, 71, New Canaan, Conn., 43.20.4.
Females 70-98: (1) Sally Solmssen. 70, Chilmark, 33:14.7; (2) Susan Wilson, 79, Princeton, N.J., 38:56.9; (3) Cynthia Peterson, 76, Middle Haddam, Conn., 39:13.7; (4) Rosemary Clough, 72, Hollis, N.H., 41:01.5; (5) Sandra Berler, 72, Chilmark, 48:01.3.
Spinnakers blossom as the fleet heads downwind with American Eagle leading the way. Photo by Louisa Gould 12 meters match up off Edgartown
The Edgartown Yacht Club was host to a 12 meter Regatta Saturday and Sunday with four traditional yachts racing: Weatherly skippered by Andrew Greene for the Royal Yacht Squadron, Columbia with Alein Hanover calling the signals, American Eagle under Jeffrey Randall for the Edgartown YC and Easterner sailed by Paul Callahan for the New York YC.
Weatherly took top honors with a low score of 10 for four races. Columbia was second with 15. American Eagle finished with 17 in third and Easterner did not complete a race.
In the Intrepid versus Courageous duel the NYYC's Intrepid, with Jack Curtin at the wheel, won four of the six races to finish with a score of 8 to Courageous's 10.
Ladies League
Tuesday evening at three different venues, the Women's Softball League played three pre-playoff games,
At the Manter Memorial field, the Snaps defeated the Late Fees, 4-1. After five innings the Snaps led by a single run, 1-0. At the West Tisbury school field the Honeys had their way with the Swingers in a mercy-rule-shortened game, 16-3 while the Creamers returned to the win column besting the Rug Sox, 13-5.
Holmes Hole
Last Thursday the Holmes Hole Sailing Association raced a familiar route from red nun 6 outside Vineyard Haven Harbor to green can 23A at East Chop and back. The first leg was a run downwind. After rounding the can the fleet beat to windward to finish.
First to finish was Phil Hale in the Alerion Sloop Mischief. Mike Loberg in Masquerade, a Morris 36, was second, followed by (3) Jerry Goodale in Stormalong, (4) John Amabile in Solitude, (5) Mary Worrell in Second Wind, (6) Dan Culkin in Magic Time, (7) David Lott in Avanti.
There were three guest boats: Latonka, Undine, and Wind's Eye.
Sunday, racing continued with an unscheduled harbor race. Fourteen boats posted at red nun 6 for the start at noon. It was a sunny day with winds of 8 to12 knots. A zig-zag course was assigned by the Race Committee from red nun 6 to buoy RWNW to red nun 4 at West Chop, to green can 23A at East Chop, then back to finish at red nun 6.
The course called for a downwind run, a port tack, a beam reach on the starboard tack and a beat to windward.
Finishing first in the A Division was Frank Sutula in Magic Twanger. Mike Loberg was second in Masquerade. Then came (3) Rob Hale in Wicked, (4) Phil Hale in Mischief (5) Matthew Thomas in Grasshopper, (6) Doug Heil in Pearly Baker, and (7) Brian Roberts in Starfish.
The B Division winner was Sandy Alexander in his Seabird Yawl, Falcor. Alan Wilson was second in High Tide. Isabella, sailed by John and Lisa Stout, was third. Fourth was David Lott in Avanti and fifth, Dan Culkin in Magic Time.
Undine and Restless Wind raced as guests.
The summer racing series continues with a night race tonight at 6 pm and a Sound race Sunday at noon.
Sharpest shooter
Matt Tobin edged out Steven Toth to claim the MV Rod & Gun Club's Skeet championship on Sunday at the club's skeet range.
After shooting at 25 clay pigeons, Matt and Steve were tied at 24. Both missed a bird again mid-way through the second round to remain even until Steve missed again at the low five station. Matt closed out the match downing the last 11 birds. His final score was 48 of a possible 50.
Steve Toth was second and Vito Palermo finished third.
New this year was a teen competition won by Patrick Garrett with a score of 25 (of 50). Second place in the teen shoot went to Brent Carpenter. Dan Reid was third.
Summer Soccer tLeague
Last Thursday Sports Haven and Monto Orthopedics played to a scoreless tie,
On the same evening, Coop deVille deep fried Shirley's Hardware, 5-0. Aaron Robinson had a hat trick. Alex Hull and Garry Metters also scored.
On Wednesday, the MV Celtics squeezed by Monto Orthopedics, 1-0 on a goal by Eric Surface.
Also Wednesday, the Atlantic Football Club and Coop deVille played to a 1-1 tie. Antulio Neto scored for Atlantic. Alex Hull provided Coop's point.
Tuesday the Celtics got by Shirley's Hardware, 2-1 with goals by Lucas Brewer and Eric Surface. Sam Griswold scored for Shirley's.
The Atlantic Football Club topped Sports Haven, Tuesday, 4-2. Scoring for Sports Haven were Declain McBride and Ben Post. Antulio Neto collected three goals for Atlantic. Torbelly Assis also scored.
Girls on ice
The Martha's Vineyard Youth Hockey and the M.V. Girls High school Ice Hockey Boosters Club offer a free learn-to-play and skills clinic for girls 12 years old and under from 6:10 to 7:00 pm at the Arena, Saturdays, August 15, 22, and 29.
The clinic will provide instruction for beginner hockey players and goalies. It will also give skaters with some hockey experience the opportunity to work on their hockey skills in a supportive and fun-filled environment,
Full equipment is required.
Bridge port
Nine - count 'em - nine tables were engaged at the Bridge Club of Martha's Vineyard Saturday games at the Tisbury Senior Center.
Taking top honors at North-South were Ann Brown and Bob Henry followed by (2) Bea Phear and Foster Greene (3) Betty Dixon and Clara Hargrave, and (4) Duncan Walton and Calvin Bass.
Best in the West -and East were Marge Raskin and Dave Selin, (2) Carol and Larry Kurlander, (3) Shirley Strother and Claudia Bowser, and (4) Frances Phinney and Geraldine Jones.
Shane Schofield of the High School Ballers drives past Alex McCluskey of the Hustlers on his way to the basket. Photo by Ralph Stewart Hoops at Niantic
Tuesday evening, at Niantic Park, the Oak Bluffs Summer Basketball League began its playoffs with the top four teams playing the bottom four in the league's final standings.
To no one's surprise, the leading four defeated the trailing teams, but not by much. The Entourage (7-1) outscored the Rage (1-7) by only five points and the Stone Cold Hustlers (5-2) squeaked by the Chips Ahoy (1-6) by a similar margin. The Future (4-2) vs. High School Ballers (4-4) game was the victim of a brief but heavy shower. Only the Monstars (5-3) vs. Blackout (3-5) game was a rout, the Stars winning by 27 points.
Leading scorers in the NCAA League at Niantic are: Jack Roberts, 29.6 per game, Shaquille Scott (26.0), Nick Diodati (22.8), Andrew Hakala (20.8), Will Stewart (20.5), Matt Birtwell (20.3).
Now hear this
Football Coach Donald Herman publishes the following tidings. Attention all high school football players
This Sunday, August 16, the team lift-a-thon takes place at 6 pm in the high school weight room.
Equipment will be issued to seniors and juniors on Monday, August 17, at 6 pm and to sophomores and freshmen on Tuesday, August 18 at 6 pm.
Meet the Coaches Night is Wednesday, August 19, at 7 pm in the PAC.
Make up night for issuing equipment is Thursday, August 20 at 6 pm.
Practice begins officially Monday, August 24, at 5:30 pm.
All players must have a valid sports physical in order to begin practice.
Call Coach Herman with questions at 508-989-6178.
Attention all junior high football prospects
Football practice for the Junior High team begins Monday, September 7, at 5 pm at the high school field. All players must have a valid sports physical before being allowed to practice. Equipment issue and registration will be on Monday and Tuesday, August 31 and September 1, at the high school athletic field parking lot. Cost to play Junior High football is $100, and checks should be made out to the MV Touchdown Club.
Call Coach Kevan Pigott with questions, 508-989-6178.
The new MVRHS athletic director, Sandy Mincone. Photo by Susan Safford A new A.D.
Michael Joyce III, the regional high school Athletic Director, is returning to the biology classroom and handing over the A.D. responsibility to Sandra "Sandy" Mincone. Mike has missed the challenge of teaching and the rewards of relating to students as something other than an administrator.
Sandy, a health teacher at the high school, has been appointed A.D. by Principal Steve Nixon for one year. She is a graduate of UMass Boston and the former wife of hockey coach Matt Mincone.
100 and counting
Winners of Tuesday's Farm Neck Ladies Century Tournament, where the combined ages of the twosome must total at least 100 years, were Anne Lemenager and Valerie Levy.
Runners up were (2) Judy Maynes and Mary Anne Ranalli, (3) Leslie Look and Jean McCarthy and (4) Abbe Burke and Molly Finklestein.
