Sports
Little League finale
The Martha's Vineyard Little Leagues, major and minor, wound up their baseball seasons that began last April, Saturday, under a blazing sun, at Veira Park, Oak Bluffs.
The Rockies celebrate their climb to the top of the minor league mountain. Photos by Ralph Stewart. Click on photo to enlarge.Qualifying to play for the championship in the minor league were the Rockies and the Orioles. The Rockies finished the season in first place with a 13 win, 4 loss record. The Orioles were two games behind at 11-6.
Rockies starting pitcher Jack Sierputoski struck out the side in the top of the first. He would fan an even dozen during his time on the hill and kept the O's scoreless.
The Orioles starter had trouble finding the strike zone and walked seven batters in a row in the first inning giving the Rockies a 4-0 lead without benefit of a base hit. (Minor League rules limit teams to four runs in any given inning.)
Cards shortstop Tristan Araujo makes a nice scoop in the second inning. Click on photo to enlarge.Cory Madeiros took the mound for the O's and proceeded to fan 8 over the next four innings.
In the Rockies fourth, Cody Caseau doubled to deep center and rode home when Zack Moreis followed with another two-bagger. It would prove to be the only run of the game driven in by a base hit.
The Rockies closer, Curtis Fournier, added three more K's while shutting the door. Final score: Rockies 5, Orioles 0.
Tigers are Major champs
The major league's championship game pitted the Tigers (14-3) against the league's defending champs, the Cardinals (11-7).
The Cards opened with a run in the top of the first when Greg McCarron singled, took second on a wild pitch and scored when Emily Turney singled to center.
Kevin Cleary was the fireball starter for the Tigers. Click on photo to enlarge.The Tigers went quietly on two K's and a bouncer to first unassisted.
Likewise, the Cards went in order in the top of the second.
In their half, the Tigers posted six runs on two hits, five walks and an error. The loudest noise was a two-run double by Mitchell Chaves.
Cardinal Jonas Lukowitz singled in the top of the third but could go no further as McCarron struck out and Turney flied out to right field.
The Tigers added two in the third. Adam Bilodeau and Mercer Kelly scored their second runs of the game.
The fourth inning was scoreless.
In the fifth, with bases loaded, Emerson Mahoney drove in three with a line drive into left center.
The Cards didn't get to the finals by giving up and they didn't call it quits even behind 12-1 with one inning to go. Austin Chandler tripled and scored on Brian Frost's single. Frost worked his way around the base paths and scored the game's final run. Tigers 12, Cardinals 3.
Rockies starter Jack Sierputoski fanned a dozen in the Rockies shutout win. Click on photo to enlarge.
Cory Medeiros was effective in relief for the Orioles. Click on photo to enlarge.MV soccer success at MTOC
The Under-15 MV travel soccer team competed for the state championship at the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions in Lancaster over a three-day weekend and returned to the Island with honors and the admiration due those who earned the praise of friend and foe alike.
Gabriel de Oliveira unleashes a scoring strike inside the left post against Blackstone in a U-13 match Friday afternoon. Click on photo to enlarge.In the first day of competition, the Vineyarders defeated Wellesley, 5-4, on goals by Jack Roberts, Kane Araujo, and Jacob Lawrence who had the hat trick. Also on day one the boys played North Reading in a game that ended tied, 1-1.
The MV goal was by Evandro Medici. On day two, the Islanders shut out Chelmsford, 4-0. Roberts scored twice. Lawrence and Kyp Cooperrider also scored.
Two wins and a tie put MV at the top of their bracket and put them in the semi-finals with Scituate. After a scoreless first half, the Vineyarders were awarded a penalty kick on a handball infraction. Felix Reagan took the kick executing a perfect shot to the bottom right corner as the goalie dove to the left. That was the game's only score.
Jack Roberts, Ben Dwane and Mike Schroeder keep watch on a North Reading attacker during a corner kick. Click on photo to enlarge.In the finals MV faced Whitman. The Islanders trailed at the half, 1-0, then fell back 2-0 in the second period. But Kyp Cooperrider's goal narrowed the gap and Jacob Lawrence's tied the score, 2-2.
The game-deciding goal was controversial as a Whitman player pushed an Island defender while scoring.
Martha's Vineyard finished second in the state.
Congratulations to the team and its coaches, Phil Dwane and Trip Wadleigh.
Phil Dwane remarked, "You don't have to finish first to score a victory."
Mike Schroeder, flanked by Vincent Carlomagno, breaks away from a North Reading defender in the U-15 match. Click on photo to enlarge.The MV Under-13's also distinguished themselves in the MTOC and played in the U-14 division. They began the tourney by playing Ludlow, last year's finalist and this year's champ. Gabriel de Oliveira tied the match early in the second half, but Ludlow fought back with two goals for a 3-1 win.
In the second match, MV regrouped and played brilliantly, thrashing Blackstone 5-1. Yannick Gonsalves notched a hat trick and de Oliveira scored a pair of goals.
Saturday, MV needed a win to progress to the semi-finals, but played out a 0-0 draw with Stoneham.
Congratulations for a strong showing to the U-13's and coaches Esteban Aranzabe and Matt Poole.
Raj Maharaj, the East Chop pro, returns a forehand volley. Click on photo to enlarge.Tennis for Haiti
The Fish Farm for Haiti Project got a big boost from a tennis tournament at Farm Neck, Sunday.
It was the third Haiti benefit tennis tourney in as many years, explained tournament director Mas Kimball, but the first to be played on the Farm Neck courts. "It is so gratifying to work with such a terrific organization allowing us such access to a beautiful facility," he said.
Fifty-nine players participated in five events in men's, women's and mixed doubles. Several of the Island's top pros played, making the men's doubles finals a real crowd pleaser.
Of the many tournament highlights, the performance of Lisa Grain of Chilmark and her partner Sarah Rodger of Newport, R.I., was especially noteworthy, Mr. Kimball said. After trailing 2-5 in the first set of the semifinals, they rallied to catch and defeat the formidable team of Nina and Judy Bramhall of Tisbury, 7-5, 7-6. Grain and Rodgers almost repeated that performance in the finals. Trailing 1-5 in the first set they dug deep and won, 7-5. But they were victims of the relentless play of Sue Kimball and Debbie Cooper losing 5-7, 6-2, and 10-6 in a tiebreaker.
Fain Hackney serves a hot one. Click on photo to enlarge.The event raised more than $3.000 for the Fish Farm for Haiti project.
Mas Kimball expressed his gratitude to Mike Johns, Farm Neck Tennis Director, and the many volunteers who helped make the event run smoothly.
Winners and runners up in the several draws were:
Men's Doubles: Raj Maharaj & Tyler Owens; Fain Hackney & Michael Halisky.
Women's Doubles: Debbi Cooper & Sue Kimball; Lisa Grain & Sarah Rodgers.
Mixed Doubles: Lucie Hayman & Darren Belisle; Sue Kimball & Tom Nova.
Women's Doubles winners and runners up In the 3.5 Division: Melissa Hackney & Sarah Moore; Doreen Rezendes & Susan Stevens.
In the Mixed Doubles: Doreen Rezendes & Steve Dantzig; Cecily Greenaway & Dick McLean.
Gary Ben David was half of a winning Member Member team. The other half was Peter Gillis. Click on photo to enlarge.Farm Member Members
In the Member Member golf tournament at Farm Neck, Saturday. Winners in the Palmer flight were Gary BenDavid and Peter Gillis with a 140 low gross. Jack Regan and Steve LaPierre had a 128 low net.
In the Watson flight it was Bob Fourneir and Glenn Peters with a low gross of 159. Carl Lawrence and Greg Willett had a 132 low net.
Nicklaus flight leaders were Bucky Burrows and Mark Ellis with low gross of 148 and 131 low net. John Roberts and Steve Mussell also turned in a 131 low net.
Bob Francis, Peter Gillis and Chas Deary hit the longest drives in the several flights.
Drives closest to the pin on par three holes were by: hole 4 Bob Jaffe 6'8½", hole 9 Paul Garcia 2'11", hole 15 Dick Barbini, 4'1½"
Longest drives were driven by Bob Francis in the Watson, Peter Gillis in the Palmer and Chas Deary in the Nicklaus.
HHSA resumes racing
Last Thursday the Holmes Hole Sailing Assn. began its summer schedule of Harbor and Sound races. It was a warm evening with a robust 20-knot southwest wind.
Six boats posted for the 6:00 pm start at red nun 6. The course took the fleet to nun 4 at West Chop then to green can 23 at East Chop and back to nun 6. The first leg was a run downwind. Then a fast reach took the fleet to East Chop followed by a beat back to nun 6.
First to finish was Dan Culkin in Magic Time followed by (2) John and Lisa Stout in Isabella, (3) Jerry Goodale in Stormalong, (4) Phil Hale in Wicked, and (5) Ed Cerullo in Undine. Avanti retired in the heavy air.
Sunday, a light southwest wind increased to 10 knots for the 15 boats reporting for a 10 am start.
The race committee called for a triangular course starting at red nun 6 outside the breakwater to green can 23A at East Chop, then to red nun 4 at West Chop and back to red nun 6 in the Harbor.
Finishing first in the A division was Steve Besse in Apres. Second was Phil Hale's Wicked. Then came (3) Geoff Gibson in Latonka, (4) Andy Berry in Isobar, (5) Roger Becker in Gloria, (6) Mike Loberg in Masquerade, (7) Ed Cerullo in Undine and (8) Jerry Goodale in Stormalong.
In the B division, Rebecca Colson was first in Silhouette. Second was Alan Wilson in High Tide. Third were Tom and Laurie Welch in Eastaway followed by (4) Mo Flam in Lumia, (5) David Lott in Avanti, (6) Dan Culkin in Magic Time and (7) Jim Pringle in Myfanwy.
Fourteen boats posted for the afternoon race. With a building wind the fleet sailed the same triangular course twice around.
Steve Besse was first to finish in the A division with Apres. Phil Hale was second In Wicked. Third was Roger Becker in Gloria. Then came (4) Jerry Goodale in Stormalong, (5) Mike Loberg in Masquerade, (6) Andy Berry in Isobar, and (7) Ed Cerullo in Undine.
In the B division, first were John and Lisa Stout in Isabella. Second was Alan Wilson in High Tide, followed by (3) Rebecca Colson in Silhouette, (4) Tom and Laurie Welch in Eastaway, (5) Joe Vera in Sole E Mar and (6) Mo Flam in Lumia. Avanti, retired.
The summer racing continues with a night race tonight at 6:00 p.m., and a sound race at 12:00 p.m. on July 4. New members are actively encouraged, as are guest boats. Anyone interested should call Diana Hartmann at 693 4592.
Master swimmers
Last weekend Vineyard masters swimmers Rainy Goodale, Liz Fox and Les Cutler competed in the New England Masters Long Course Meters Championships at Middlebury College, Vermont, with swimmers from New England, New York, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Quebec.
Friday was a day of long distance races and all three of the Vineyarders swam in one or more events.
Rainy swam the 800M (half mile) freestyle and finished second in her 40-44 age group. Liz also swam the 800 and finished second in women's 55-59 age group. Les was first in his men's 65-69 group in the 800M freestyle, Two hours later he had a solid 1500M (mile) swim finishing third in his age group.
The team had a busy Saturday. Rainy broke the New England record in her age group in the 200M breaststroke completing the distance in 3:02.73, almost nine seconds faster. She also won the 50M butterfly and was second in the 50M freestyle and backstroke.
Liz was second in the 50M freestyle, fourth in the 400M freestyle and sixth in the 100M freestyle. Les finished third in the 100M freestyle and fourth in the 50M freestyle.
On the third day of the meet, Rainy set two more New England records. She swam the 100M breaststroke in 1:23.76. Then she lowered the 50M freestyle record.
Liz finished fifth in the 200M freestyle.
The Vineyard team was third of twelve in the small team category.
In August, Rainy will join seven other outstanding New England swimmers heading to Gothenberg, Sweden, for the 2010 World Masters Championships.
Bridge decks
Five tables were in play at the Bridge Club of Martha's Vineyard, Saturday. North/ South winners were Linda and Donald Shapiro followed by Claudia Bowser and Frances Finney,
The East/West winners were Trudy Ulmer and Regina McDonough. Cheryl Neal and Dorothy Arnold were second.
The Bridge Club meets every Saturday morning at the Tisbury senior center.
Summer Soccer
The Summer Soccer League began its season, Monday, at Tisbury's Veterans War Memorial Park. In the first game, the Atlantic Football Club defeated Coop deVille, 4-1.
The second game, Monto Orthopedics vs. Shirley's Hardware, ended in a 1-1 tie.
All Stars win opener
The MV 12-year-old Little League All Stars took their first steps in the direction of Williamsport, Pa. by defeating Middleboro at Veira Park, 6-4.
The visitors scored all of their runs in the first inning. After that hurlers Morgan Michalski and Jack Slayton kept the Sachems at bay. Slayton shone in the batters box collecting three base hits including a double. Greg McCarron drove in a run with a bunt single.
Team Coach Bob Moore was pleased to style the win a team effort.
The Islanders lost at Lakeville, Tuesday, 19-7. The bright spots for the Islanders were home runs by Jack Slayton and Isaac Higgins.
Brookfield visits today for a 4 pm game at Veira Park.
Men's Softball League
The weather was not promising Monday evening as members of the Men's Softball League drifted in for two scheduled games. It was overcast. Now and then distant rolling thunder could be heard. There were even some lightning flashes, also distant.
Eventually there were enough players present for the Land Sharks vs. Stampede game and Umpire Tommy Pachico called "play ball."
The first inning generated eight runs - three for the Sharks, five for the Stampede.
The second inning was scoreless.
In the third the Sharks added three, the Stampede answered with four. Sharks 6, Stampede 9. The game was played without benefit of an outfield wall, which probably was one reason the game produced only one home run, that by Darren Stobie of the Sharks, driving in three runs in the top of the seventh, not enough to catch the Stampede, who posted their fourth win against two losses.
On paper the Landsharks appear to be one of the league's stronger teams. But on grass the Sharks have yet to win a game.
The previous Thursday the Stampede had beaten the Brewhas at Manters Memorial Field in West Tisbury, 16-10, a game in which John Van Putten injured his back. John took his turn at the plate, Monday, but required a runner and did not play in the field.
The teams played long ball with home runs by Stampede's Shawn Reed, John Swan, and Billy Panek matched by three for the Brewhas: Van Putten (2) and Carl Kallinich. Jason Look made the defensive play of the game with an impossible-looking catch in left field.
Battle at WesTiz
Thursday, at the West Tisbury school field, the Creamers and the Shady Ladies hooked up in an extra-inning battle that threatened to set a record for longevity!
The Shady Ladies were the home team.
In the top of the first the Creamers scored twice. So did the Shady Ladies in the bottom half.
The second and third innings were scoreless as the defenses trumped the offenses.
The Creamers crossed the plate twice in the top of the fourth. The Shady Ladies raised the ante with three runs in their half of the inning. After four, it was Shady Ladies 5, Creamers 4.
Neither team scored in the fifth or sixth. Liz Dowd drove in Veronika Van de Geer with the tying run in the top of the seventh.
Neither team scored in the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th innings.
Thirteen proved an unlucky number for the Shady Ladies as four Creamers - Melissa Randall, Allyene Hughes, Emily Cooney, and Heather Jones all scored in the 13th.
Julie Perry (triple, double, 3 singles) and Emily Cooney (double, four singles) were 5-for-5 for the Creamers,
On Tuesday, at Veterans Park, Tisbury, the Creamers and the Honeys revived their long-standing duel. The Honey's scored in every inning but the second and crossed the plate nine times. The Creamers scored one in the third and three in the seventh.
In the late game, Tuesday, the Shady Ladies shaded the Late Fees, 7-3.
