Sports
By Don Lyons - August 3, 2006
Bart Kent of the Treds is out on a close play at first. Carl Kallinich stretches for the throw. Photos by Ralph Stewart
Promises, promises!
Friday promised three competitive softball games at Veterans Park with the '04 champion Hurricanes hosting the '05 champions Brewhas, the 9-3 Cannons facing the 9-4 Treds, and the Highlanders vs. the Wildcats matched teams that, despite mediocre 7-6 records, had demonstrated they could beat any team on any given evening.
The first game was tight early, with the Brewhas enjoying a one-run edge, 7-6, after four innings. But then the Brewhas went cold, going scoreless for two innings and, worse, committing three infield errors in the 5th. James Rebello took advantage and poked a three-run homer in the Canes five-run 5th. The Windy ones added two more in the 6th. Final score: Hurricanes 13, Brewhas 8.
The second game began as a barnburner. The Cannons opened with two, the Treds responded with three, all driven in by Olsen Houghton's fence-clearing drive.
Wildcat captain Dave Garvin and base umpire Ray Tattersall discuss a call at second base.
The Cannons took a turn at long ball in the second with two homers in the team's six-run rally. The Treds got four back in the third and after three the score stood at 10-8, Cannons up. But then the Treds stopped scoring while the Cannons more than doubled their total to win going away, 21-8.
The Highlander - Wildcat game was a 4-3 affair until the 5th inning. Then the Highlanders scored five in the 5th and nine in the 6th; Joe Merry, Casey Elliston, and Greg Belcher all launched long-range missiles. Final: 17-5.
At the conclusion of the scheduled season, the rankings are (1) Hurricanes, 11-3 (2) Loose Cannons, 10-4 (3) Treds, 9-5 (4) Brewhas, 9-5 (5) Highlanders, 8-6 (6) Wildcats, 7-7 (7) Boilers, 2-12 (8) Riptide, 0-14.
Playoffs begin
The second season, aka the playoffs, began Monday. In the final analysis, fact followed form, but there were interesting moments. For instance, the Riptide scored three runs in the top of the first and played good enough defense to make that hold up for three innings so that, beginning the fourth, they held a 3-2 lead over the Hurricanes. But the 'Tide would score only two more runs in the last four innings while the 'Canes found the range, scoring seven in the 4th, five more in the 5th and two in the 6th. Final score: 16-5.
In the second game, Monday, the Wildcats scored twice in the top of the first and the Treds responded with seven in the bottom. The 'Cats scored a pair in the 3rd and 4th to draw within one as the Treds failed to score until adding a single run in the 5th and three more in the 6th. The final count was 11-7, Treds up.
The Wildcats squandered a golden opportunity in the 6th. After scoring a single run, they loaded the bases with no outs and failed to score.
In the Monday nightcap, the Brewhas outscored the Highlanders nine to one in the 1st inning. Forced to play catch-up, the Highlanders scorred 10 in the next two innings, and held the Brewhas to four. After four innings the score was 13-11. At that point the teams defense took charge. Final score: Brewhas 15, Highlanders 13.
The playoffs continued last night with the Boilers at the Loose Cannons and the Brewhas visiting the Highlanders.
The Wildcats were home to the Treds.
Tonight, Thursday, its Hurricanes vs. Riptide, Cannons vs. Boilers and a third game to be announced.
Joe Keaney delivered the mail.
Almost Champions
The MV Senior Babe Ruth team was host to Y/D, Friday, in a game to decide the Cape & Islands league championship.
The Islanders kept their guests off the scoreboard in the first, but it wasn't easy. The lead batter, Chris Maura walked. Next up, Evan LeBlanc hit into a fielder's choice erasing Maura. Nick Catsoulis reached on an infield error, LeBlanc taking third on the play. Mendez looked at a third strike. Tony Piette flied out to left. LeBlanc tagged and headed for home but was cut down at the plate, 7-2, a double play.
The Vineyarders wasted no time. John Nelson led off with a double and stole third, then came home on a single by pitcher Joe Keaney. Keaney advanced to third on Billy Johnson's base hit and scored when Matt Kurth grounded out to short. MV led, 2-0.
The Islanders would collect base hits, one at a time, in the next five innings but failed to score.
Y/D went quietly until the fourth when three singles and a fielder's choice produced two runs, tying the score.
Y/D's Evan LeBlanc was thrown out trying to score in the first inning. Applying the tag is catcher John Nelson.
The seventh (final) inning came and went with the teams still deadlocked.
Browning wrote, " A man's reach should exceed his grasp." But then Browning didn't play baseball.
In the 8th and 9th, MV shot itself in the foot trying to stretch a single into a double and a double into a triple.
In the top of the 9th two infield errors opened the door for Y/D and they took advantage by scoring their third run and claiming the championship title.
MV pitcher Joe Keaney deserved better. He struck out eight, walked one and gave up four hits. Y/D pitcher Martel gave up nine hits, walked one and fanned one.
Just a Whim is among friends on a reach. Photos by Louisa Gould
150 years and counting
The Martha's Vineyard Shipyard celebrated its 150th anniversary Saturday, with a race for the 60-some sailboats that the Shipyard services. Twenty-eight started the race and 21 finished.
Skies were clear, winds were from the west-southwest at about 15 knots,
First to finish in corrected time with a 158 PHRF, was Rocinante III, a Tartan 34, skippered by Ernest and Kathy Mendenhall.
Second was Moria, an Alerion Express, sailed by Elizabeth Martin.
Masquerade, a Morris 36 with a six-minute allowance, was third with Michael & Melinda Loberg at the tiller.
Bob Jewett in Andiamo II, a Soling, was the scratch boat and came in fourth
Then in order of finish were: Stormalong, Just a Whim, Ishmael, Phra Luang, Magic Time, Little Hawk, Pearly Baker, Mischief, Starfish, Gloria, Summertime, Leda, Laughing Gull, Solitude, Pondicherry, Flying Bugster, and Taronga.
Seven boats started but did not finish: Lark, Bora, Sara B, Myfanwy, L'Amarie, One Way Wind, and Tyche.
A post-race party was enjoyed by all.
Oysters pitcher Elizabeth Rothwell snags a Shady Ladies pop fly.
Ladies at bat
At Veterans Park, Tisbury, Tuesday, the Creamers shut out the Honeys, 4-0, the Oysters outscored the Shady Ladies, 10-6 and the Coolers downed the Wampum, 9-8.
In Friday games the Shady Ladies shut out the Late Fees, 11-0, in a slaughter-rule shortened game, and the Oysters did it to the Coolers, 14-4
Some pushing and shoving was unavoidable at the starting line. Photo by Louisa Gould
VHYC Junior Regatta
The annual Vineyard Haven Yacht Club's Junior Regatta was held last Monday and Tuesday with more than 200 teen-aged sailors participating, some from as far away as Detroit.
The top five in the green fleet were (1) Cole Bilodeau of Sail Martha's Vineyard with a net total of 13. (2) Rasmus Sayre of Vineyard Haven YC, 31 (3) Samantha Bauer, Vineyard Haven YC, 43 (4) Sam Shannon, Vineyard Haven YC, 45 (5) Jacob Kozlowski, East Chop Beach Club, 70.
Thirty-eight sailors competed in the nine races of the Green Fleet.
Of the 10 sailors in the Blue Fleet, Mary Kate Mezzetti of Hyannis YC was first with a 19 total after 12 races.
Hiking out and looking for a line.
Second was Asa Smith, also of Hyannis YC, at 37.
Adam Ryder of the Vineyard Haven YC was third with 51. Sean Stivaletta of the Falmouth YC was fourth and Zoe Nugent of the Edgartown YC was fifth.
Winner of the Red Fleet was Katie Leigh Barbour of Bayview (Detroit) with a 13 net after 12 races. Second was Tim Harding of the Falmouth YC, at 17.
Eleanor Conroy of Hyannis YC was third with a 29 net. Bethany Pennington of Sail MV and Jamie Williams of Vineyard Haven YC were fourth and fifth.
Four boats sailed in the White Fleet. Kim Barbour of Bayview (Detroit) edged out Eli Jordi of Vineyard Haven YC 18 -19. Third was Greg Fligor of the Edgartown YC, also with a 19 net, and fourth was Jordan Gustafson of Falmouth YC with 35.
Of the 88 entries in the 420 class, Andrew Meleney and Max Coffey of the Vineyard Haven YC were the head of the class with a 24 net; they finished first in six of the 10 races sailed.
Second overall were Coleman Bowen and Kyle Nauman of the New Bedford YC at 39. Henry Blanchette and Hunter Sherman of the Beverley YC took third and Tabor's Lauren Burke and Anne Mock came in fourth.
Hannah Burroughs and Martha Peterson, also of the host VHYC, were fifth.
