Sports
By Don Lyons - August 31, 2006
The champion Honeys bask in the glow of victory. Photos by Ralph Stewart
Honeys reign supreme
"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these curriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
The inscription on the main Post Office of New York City applies aptly to the MV Women's Softball League's scheduled semi-final and final games, Friday evening.
Granted, there was not a hint of snow in the air, but there was the rest. It rained, sometimes heavily, beginning at 1:30 pm and lasted for a couple hours. Then again, during the evening games, a wind-blown mist made one glad to have thought to bring a windbreaker to Veterans Park and the added humidity made the warm evening feel warmer.
But all four qualified teams - the Creamers, Snaps. Honeys, and Shady Ladies - showed up for the final contests of the summer to crown a league champion. Only nine Snaps were available for their first game with the Shady Ladies and for half of their second game with the Honeys.
Pitcher Kirsten Meehan helped the Snaps upset the highly favored Creamers.
Shady Ladies,
Creamers bumped in semis
On the park's unlit field, the Honeys and Shady Ladies played a quick semi-final game that featured effective defensive play. The game's only three runs were scored in the bottom of the second inning by the Honeys and for the most part they were pushed across the plate by bases on balls. Hits were hard to come by.
On the illuminated field, the top-seeded Creamers appeared to be on the way toward a slaughter-rule win when they scored three runs in the first, six in the second, and another in the third, while the Snaps managed only one run. The Creamers led 10-1 after three innings.
But then the Creamers unaccountably stopped scoring. They would post only one run on the board in the final four innings.
The Snaps, on the other hand, began a spirited rally. They scored their second run in the top of the 4th, five in the 5th, and three more in the 6th, on Jackie Meehan's gapper home run with two on board. That made the score 10-10.
The Creamers reclaimed the lead by pushing a run across the plate in the bottom of the sixth, but the Snaps could taste victory. They scored twice in the top of the seventh, and then held the Creamers scoreless in their last at bats.
Final score: Snaps 12, Creamers 11.
Honeys scrap Snaps, claim title
In the championship game the Snaps broke on top, 1-0. With two outs in the top of the 1st inning, Kirsten Meehan drew a base on balls, went to second on Amanda Klein's single up the middle and scored when Summer Clements doubled. A walk to Tina Fitch loaded the bases, but Laura Bennett struck out, ending the inning.
The Honeys grabbed the lead in the second inning, a lead they would not relinquish.
Beth Sawyer started it with a line drive single into right field. After Margaret Mirko flied out to left, Nicole Gazaille singled and Kelly Silvia's double drove in two. Katy Gould's hit scored Kelly and the Honeys had a 3-1 lead.
There was no scoring in the 3rd or 4th innings, nor in the top of the 5th.
But in the Honeys half of the 5th, Rachel Baumrin led off with a single to left. After Susie Schofield popped out to short and Sara Mello-Trudel fouled out, Amy Maciel drew a base on balls. Heidie Maciel reached on an error. Maureen Hill, Beth Sawyer, and Margaret Mirko all hit safely and the Honeys were up, 7-1, which proved to be the final score.
There were a number of stellar plays in the field during the game, none more so than Beth Sawyer's in the 6th. Kaylee Moore hit what looked like a sure Texas leaguer along the left field line, well behind third base. Amy Maciel was playing deep in left and could not reach it. Sawyer dashed full tilt from her shortstop position to snag the ball and rob Kaylee of a base hit.
Congratulations to the champion Wharf Pub Honeys and to the Mocca Mott Creamers for the best season record, (13-1) and to the Long & Meehan Snaps who despite a lackluster (5-10) season made it to the finals by conquering the conquerors in the semis. For that matter, congratulations and thanks to the whole league and its sponsors for providing lots of good-natured family entertainment.
Dupree was the point dog for Bridget Dunnigan and Rogers William. Mullet was a silent partner.
Moore & Oliver beat all
Fifty-eight human beings and two dogs competed in the 16th annual Martha's Vineyard Oar and Paddle Regatta, Sunday, on Sengekontacket Pond.
Brisk winds and choppy seas militated against following the preferred course, half of which would be off State Beach in Nantucket Sound. Instead, the 18 kayaks and the rowing gig Grace, plowed the length of Sengekontacket and back, beginning at the Little Bridge.
The paddlers and rowers worked against the wind for the first half of the race but had the wind at their backs for the second half.
Perennial winner Dana Gaines was absent, competing in another race in the northwest, opening the way for a real scramble for the blue ribbon. In fact, the lead changed hands several times between three very different boats: a fiberglass double kayak paddled by John Moore and Edly Oliver, a six person rowing gig, Grace, and a plastic single kayak powered by Percy Burt.
Grace was gaining on the double kayak in the last 100 yards but could not catch it.
The Moore (52)-Oliver (62) kayak was first across the finish line at 32:20. Grace, rowed by David Murphy, Hope Tripp, Sterling Wall, Doug Reese, Bruce Riseborough, Cub Murphy and Jane Paquet, was 10 seconds back at 32:30.
Percy Burt, 46, glided in at 32:47.
Percy's effort earned him a first in the single (male) kayak division. The first single female kayak was Stephanie Colson's at 35:41.
The Moore-Oliver team was first in the double male group, Joe (50) and Katie (20) Feeks were first of the mixed doubles and Sherie Edwards (38) and Suzanne Curley (38) were tops among the double females.
Dick Clark and Fran Loftus were recognized as the senior male and female paddlers, both 64 years old.
Thirteen-year-old Rebecca Colson was first in the youngster category.
Best male in a 16- to 18-foot kayak was Tyler Stapleton, 32, at 33:30. Best female in a 16- to 18-foot kayak was Chick Dowd, 36:17. Herb Foster, 78, earned kudos for top senior 16- to 18-foot kayaker at 49.04.
In a kayak less than 16 feet long, Bob Loberg, 27, came in first among males at 33:39. Andrea Loberg, 25, was first female at 40:22. Senior (76) John Flender's time of 44:36 also merited acclamation.
Special mention with praise also went to Michele (36) and Trish Jetle (40) for the double kayak with crutches, a special class.
Double with child Allison (12) and Rob Roggiero (40) tied with Double with child Pat Loftus (61) and Caroline (2) both at 50:09.
Double with two dogs was a repeat of last year's effort by Bridget Dunnigan (38) and Rogers William (38) with Dupree (a Jack Russell) and Mullet (a border collie) at 43:40.
Eick wins the Sullivan
Steve Eick, 42, of New York City was first across the finish line of the 18th annual Sullivan 5K run/walk, Saturday, a benefit for the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. Mr. Eick's winning time was 19:02, no threat to the race record of 16:57, set last year by (then) 16-year-old Erek Seber, but more than a minute faster than Neil Somers who was second at 20:06.
It was a partly sunny day with temperatures in the low 70s - not a bad day for a jog or walk around the Bluffs for the 127 who made the run. Another 79 walked the course.
Danielle D'Angela, 44, of New Rochelle, N.Y., was the first woman to complete the run. She was 4th overall, in 20:25. Ms. D'Angela was the fleetest female last year, too, at 21:20, good for 7th place.
The rest of the top 10 racers were: (3) Drake Richey, 24, Hartford, Conn., 20:11 (5) Daniel Vaughn, 31, Edgartown, 21:08 (6) Robert Reffkin, 27, Hanover, 21:38 (7) Matthew Caton, 41, Henrietta, N.Y., 21:38 (8) Michael MacPhail, 45, Belmont, 21:55 (9) Dave Weber, 46, Shillington, Pa., 22:12 (10) Todd Cleland, 37, Oak Bluffs, 22:14.
Age/gender leaders
Male 12 and under: (1) Chris Hallowell, 12, Montague, N.J., 24:31 (2) Taylor Golz, 12, Cohasset, 24:55 (3) Matt Michael, 12, Montvale, N.J., 26:15 (4) Brendan Maseda, 11, Tisbury, 29:19, (5) Patrick Garrett, 11, Oak Bluffs. 29:21.
Female 12 and under: (1) Caroline Murphy, 10, Simsbury, Conn., 24:59 (2) Emily McAroy, 11, Needham, 27:48 (3) Sesana Allen, 11, Oak Bluffs, 27:57 (4) Jessica Lee, 11, Weston, 28:05 (5) Kat Matchett, 12, Maple Glen, Pa., 32:21.
Male 13-19: (1) Garner Giles, 14, New Rochelle, N.Y., 23:23 (2) Stuart Klein, 17, Princeton, N.J., 26:41 (3) Tommy Driscoll, 13, Lincoln, 27:33 (4) Christopher Beckett, 15, East Elmhurst, N.Y., 35:43.
Female 13-19: (1) Naima Thomas, 14, New Rochelle, N.Y., 27:45 (2) Morgan Giles, 16, New Rochelle, 27:46 (3) Kristina Kuhen, 14, South Setauket, N.Y., 33:16.
Male 20-29: (1) Neil Somers, 25, South Boston, 20:06 (2) Robert Reffkin, 27, Hanover, 21:38 (3) Chris Belain, 27, Aquinnah, 22:55 (4) Jel Cristea, 29, Edgartown, 29:23 (5) Jonathan Cristea, 27, Edgartown, 32:36.
Female 20-29: (1) Bethany Vasecka 29, Somerville, 23:39 (2) Deidre Gilchrist, 25, Brookline, 27:09 (3) Kate Boeding, Atlanta, Ga., 27:13 (4) Daria Gragen, 23, Washington D.C., 27:13 (5) Celeste Peterson, 29, Boston, 27:36.
Male 30-39: (1) Daniel Vaughn, 31, Edgartown, 21:08 (2) Todd Cleland, 37, Oak Bluffs, 22:14 (3) Joseph Miron-Burket, Chilmark, 24:57 (4) Donald Hatzmon, 36, Ashburnham, 26:27 (5) Jeff Rose, 38, Short Hills, N.J., 27:06.
Female 30-39: (1) Dawn Austin, 39, Seattle, Wash., 24:54 (2) Juellen BenDavid, 36, Oak Bluffs, 25:40 (3) Michelle McNiff, 36, Oak Blufs, 25:56 (4) Wendy Stanick, 39, Leominster, 25:58 m(5) Sheryl Briggs, 32, Bourne, 26:05.
Male 40-49: (1) Steve Eick, 42, New York, N.Y. 19:02 (2) Matthew Caton, 43, Henrietta, N.Y., 21:38 (3) Michael MacPhail, 45, Belmont, 21:55 (4) Dave Weber, 46, Shillington, Pa., 22:12 (5) Vic Anesini, 42, Rivers Edge, N.J., 22:37.
Female 40-49: (1) Danielle D'Angela, 44, New Rochelle, N.Y., 20:25 (2) Elizabeth Handler, New Rochelle, N.Y., 24:24 (3) Anne Williamson, 41, Edgartown, 25:20 (4) Mary Letwin, 48, North Andover, 26:48 (5) Elena Driscolll, 40, Lincoln, 27:41.
Male 50-59: (1) Richard Koehler, 50, Plymouth, 23:22 (2) Elliot Kronstein, 57, Tisbury, 25:22 (3) Thomas McMahon, Lynn, 26:46 (4) Rodger Klein, 52, Princeton, N.J., 28:12 (5) Bernard Anderson, 52, Atlanta, Ga., 28:17.
Female 50-59: (1) Janet Holladay, 53, Edgartown, 30:26 (2) Helene Gayle, 51, Atlanta, Ga., 32:21 (3) Susan Stanell, 53, Chilmark, 32:32 (4) Irene Hungerford, 53, Chilmark, 33:20 (5) Elana Aitken, 57, Edgartown, 35:07.
Male 60-69: (1) Morgan Shipway, 64, Avon, Conn., 23:06 (2) Sandy Ray, 62, Tisbury, 24:45 (3) Norm Aitken, 67, Edgartown, 49:38
Female 60-69: (1) Audie Schneider, 64, Tisbury, 38:25 (2) Margaret Burnham, 61, Brookline, 40:29.
70 and over: (1) Joseph Vera, 78, Cambridge, 32:27 (2) Cynthia Peterson, 72, Middle Haddam, Conn., 36:42 (3) Alden Besse, 82, Tisbury, 49:03.
The fastest walkers were (1) Marston Clough, 63, of Tisbury, 34:53 (2) Jeane Joniis, 58, Oak Bluffs, 37:58 (3)
Liz Fox, 51, Edgartown, 38:04 (4) Louise Clough, 58, Tisbury, 38:10 (5) David Linton, 62, Edgartown, 38:44 (6) Elliott Hall, 68, Oak Bluffs, 38:44 (7) Linda Whittle, 44, Steamboat Springs, Col., (8) Barbara Edelin, 56, Oak Bluffs, 39:47 (9) Paul O'Donnell, 68, Aquinnah, 40:59 and (10) Leon Dunne, 48, Vineyard Haven, 41:23.
The annual run/walk is named for its founder, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the first President Bush administration, from 1989 to 1993.
