| UCSSL 2023 PLAYOFF RESULTS | ||||||
| 60’s Divisions | ||||||
| Games for Week Ending August 13, 2023 | ||||||
| Linwood II 7, Deegan Roofing 1 | ||||||
| In the opening game of this best of three semifinal series Linwood II defeated Deegan roofing 7-1 A solid defense by Linwood held the Deegan offense at bay. .Linwood II batters Gene Antonucci and Joe Ciampi each had a perfect night at the plate. Pitcher Bill Daniel got the win. Pitching for Deegan, John Ratchko was the star holding the Linwood bats to only seven runs but got little support from his offense. Lou Ballestriere had two hits for the Roofers. | ||||||
| Linwood Taphouse #2 15, Awnings Galore 7. | ||||||
| The Taphouse took the opening game of this best of three playoff series 15-5. Linwood was led by 3 hits apiece from Joe Sarica and James Sydlo at the top of the Tap House lineup. For Awnings, Billy Hillyer led the way going 3-3. Two hits each by Paul Newton, Gary Cuttler and Rick Demsey added to their hit total along with Demsey’s deep gap Homerun. | ||||||
| Linwood Taphouse #2 18, Awnings Galore 13 | ||||||
| Down 13-8 Awnings Galore mounted a furious comeback to tie the score at 13-13 before Linwood rebounded and scored 5 more runs to secure the victory and close out this best of three playoff series. The Taphouse was once again led by Joe Sarica and James Sydlo at the top of the order along with 3 hits apiece from Joe Lynch and Carl Gamba. For the Shadesters, Billy Hillyer again led the way going 3 for 3. Paul Newton (double), Frank Green, Bruce Crawford, Gary Cuttler, Rich Polonitza, Mike Carnevale, Dave Kirsh and Ray Meigs each added two hits apiece while Rich Traub gapped a triple. | ||||||
| Debellis Associate 7, Yogi's Boys 5 | ||||||
| Debellis Associates took the opening game of this best of three 60’s B division playoff series by a score of 7-5 | ||||||
| Yogi's Boys 21, Debellis Associates 11 | ||||||
| A strong finish by Yogi’s Boys knotted this best of three playoff series at one game apiece. | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW 23, Angry Joe’s Apparel 11 | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW defeated Angry Joe's by a score of 23 -11 in the opening game of their first round three game playoff series. Kenilworth was led by Chris Kaminski who had 2 home runs and drove in 9 runs. Keith Durrett had 5 hits for the Vets and Bob D'Meo also added 4 hits and a homer. Greg Hartnett chipped in with 4 hits and Tom DeRocco, Bill McCormack and Rory Caldwell added 3 hits each. | ||||||
| Games for Week Ending August 20, 2023 | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW 21, Angry Joe’s Apparel 9 | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW closed out their semifinal round playoff series with a 21-9 win at Linden Memorial Field. Bob D'Meo, Don Montefusco, Dave Ball, and Jose Santana contributed 3 hits apiece to lead a 26 hit VFW attack to victory. Kenilworth wins the series 2-0 and moves on to the 60’s B finals. | ||||||
| Deegan Roofing 10, Linwood II 5 | ||||||
| In game 2 of this 60’s A Division best of three semifinal, John Rachko held Linwood II to 5 runs and Deegan scored 5 runs in the sixth to break a 5-5 tie game. Don Miller had two hits including a triple in the sixth to get the Roofers their five-run lead. Other Roofers with two hits were Art Paradise, Felix Velez, Mike Backus, Sal Martino and John Rachko. This series is now knotted at 1-1. | ||||||
| Swan Hotel 18, Linwood Tap House #2 7 | ||||||
| The opening game of this best of three 60’s A Division semifinal playoff series was a nail-biter through 5 1/2 innings with Swan Hotel leading Linwood Tap House #2 by a score of 6-5. The Swannies broke it open with 6-run 5th and 6th innings and went on to win 18-7. Jimmy Jimenez took the Hill for Swan and pitched a masterful game backed up by nearly flawless defense. At the plate for Swan it was the Marty Show as Marty Marks and Marty Bernstein were a combined 7 for 7 on the night. Adding three hits apiece to a ferocious 27-hit attack were Steve Barba, Brian Latham, James Nardello, and Bernie Maguire. | ||||||
| Yogi’s Boys 15 Debellis Associates 2 | ||||||
| In the final game of this best of three 60’s B quarterfinal series, Yogi’s Boys took a convincing 15-2 victory. They capture the series 2-1 and move on to the semifinals. | ||||||
| Games for Week Ending August 27, 2023 | ||||||
| Swan Hotel 20, Linwood Tap House #2 14 | ||||||
| In the second game of this best of semifinal playoff series in the A Division, Swan Hotel jumped out to quick lead and held a 19-4 advantage after 5 ½ innings. The Tap House came storming back scoring 10 runs in the final two frames but came up short as Swan prevailed 20-14. It was Nick Russo and Mike Rzewuski flashing the leather for the Swannie infield in the 7th inning that put out the fire and allowed Swan Hotel to capture the series and move on to the finals. Doug Fischer pitched a strong game for Swan and led the team on offense with a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate. James Nardello, Nick Russo, Bernie Maguire and Mike Rzewuski added three hits each, and Tom Baldowski launched a long home run over the left field fence to put the game out of reach. For Linwood, Vance Barfield, Joe Lynch, and Joe Sarica had three hits apiece. | ||||||
| Linwood II 8, Deegan Roofing 4 | ||||||
| In the final game of this 60’s A Division best of 3 semifinal playoff series, Linwood II defeated Deegan Roofing 8-4. Deegan pitcher John Rachko held Linwood to 8 runs, but the offense was only able to scored 4 times. Rob Stratton had a 2R HR and Rob Hawk, Art Paradise and Don Miller had two hits each for the Roofers. Linwood II moves on to the finals. | ||||||
| NJ Governmental Services 13, Yogi’s Boys 12 (8 innings) | ||||||
| In Game one of the 60’s B Division best of three semifinal playoff series, the outcome was decided in extra innings. NJGS came to bat in the bottom of the eight and scored 3 runs and earned the walk-off 13-12 victory. At the plate for NJGS Bill Moore and Joe Hrubash had 3 hits each. Joe Attanasi (HR), Steve Falco (game winning RBI), pitcher Anardo Calderon, Geno Raisley, Jose Cortes and Greg Thomas had 2 hits apiece. Keith McDede hit a home run. | ||||||
| Yogi’s Boys 15, NJ Governmental Services 14 | ||||||
| Yogi’s Boys evened this best of three semifinal playoff series in the 60’s B Division at 1-1. This game was close right up until the final at bat in the 7th inning when Yogi's Boys earned the 15-14 win. At the plate for NJGS Danny Mendoza had 3 hits. Steve Falco, Anardo Calderon, Bill Moore, Joe Hrubash, Geno Raisley, Jose Cortes, and James Massarelli had 2 hits each. | ||||||
| NJ Governmental Services 9, Yogi’s Boys 4 | ||||||
| This hard fought 60’s B Division battle went to game three, and NJGS prevailed 9-4 to move on to the finals. The G-men scored 9 runs in the first 3 innings, and using solid team defense and strong pitching by Arnardo Calderon quieted the Yogi's Boys bats and held them to 4 runs. At the plate, the NJGS batted 16 hitters so there were fewer than 3 bat appearances per player, but 15 timely team hits did the trick to earn the victory. The four G-men that drove in runs were Joe Attanasi (HR), Steve Falco, Jose Cortes and James Massarelli. | ||||||
| Swan Hotel 11, Linwood II 4 | ||||||
| It was pitching and defense that won the day for Swan Hotel in the opening game of the best of three 60's A division playoff championship against Linwood II. Doug Fischer was back on the mound for Swan and kept the Linwood offense at bay. The Swan defense turned three double plays on the night which limited any chance of a Linwood rally. Hitting stars for the Swannies were Brian Latham, Doug Fischer, Danny DiFidele and Joe DiFabio who all had 2 hits each. | ||||||
| Games for Week Ending September 10, 2023 | ||||||
| Swan Hotel 7, Linwood II 6 (8 innings) | ||||||
| There were not many hits recorded nor runs scored, but game 2 of the 60's A championship series might have been the most exciting of the year. Swan Hotel defeated Linwood II in extra innings by a score of 7-6 to sweep their best of three series and captured the championship. Doug Fischer of Swan and Bill Daniel of Linwood were locked in a pitcher's duel throughout the night and the game went down to the final at bat with Fischer making the last put out. Trailing most of the evening, the Swannies jumped out to a one-run lead after scoring two runs in the top of the seventh. Linwood came back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh with a run of their own and the game went to extras. Swan eked out two runs in the top of the eighth and Linwood could only answer with one run of their own in the bottom of the frame. Hitting stars for Swan Hotel were James Nardello who blasted two long homeruns over the left field fence, Nick Russo who was 2 for 2 and a walk, and Bill D'Amico who was 3 for 3 on the night including the game winning RBI single. | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW 14, NJ Governmental Services 12 | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW defeated NJ Govt Services 14-12 in the opening game of the 60’s B best of three championship series. NJGS led 8-7 after three innings but the Vets responded with a 5 spot in the top of the 4th. The G men played stellar defense nailing 3 Kenilworth runners at home plate. They chopped into the lead but never could get closer than 2 runs as VFW held on for the victory. The Vets were led by Chris Kaminski and Don Montefusco with home runs. Don Montefusco also had 4 hits. Rory Caldwell, Chris Kaminski, Keith Durrett, and Ed Kleaken also chipped in with 3 hits apiece. At the plate for the Gmen Joe Hrubash and Greg Thomas (3 doubles) had three hits each. Anardo Calderon, Rich Conklin, and Tomas Cruz had 2 hits each and Jose Cortes hit a home run. | ||||||
| NJ Governmental Services 13, Kenilworth VFW 12 | ||||||
| In another closely fought game, NJ Governmental Services came out on top 13-12 and knotted this best of three 60’’s B Championship series at one game each. Down to their final out, The G-men tied the score in the 7th inning with three consecutive hits and used solid defense to silence Kenilworth VFW in the 7th and 8th innings to win the game in extra innings. At the plate for NJGS winning pitcher Anardo Calderon had 3 hits. Stephen Falco, Joe Attanasi, Rich Conklin, Joe Hrubash, Bill Moore, Geno Raisley, Tomas Cruz, and Keith McDede had 2 hits each. Kenilworth VFW was led by Greg Hartnet with 4 hits. Bob D'Meo and Bill McCormack added 3 hits apiece. | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW 11, NJ Governmental Services 2 | ||||||
| Kenilworth VFW defeated NJ Government Services 11-2, taking the rubber game of the 60’s B Division Championship series and ending the 2023 UCSSL softball season. Behind the great pitching of Chris Kaminski, a very stingy defense, and some timely hitting, Kenilworth grabbed the lead in the second inning and never looked back. As the fans ran onto the field at the end of the game, taking up some ceremonial turf, the Vets celebrated in the dugout spraying Martini's Sparkling Cider onto anyone who could not move that quickly (most of the team). The team was led by Rory Caldwell with 3 hits. Bob D'Meo, Don Montefusco, David Ball, Jose Santana, Tom DeRocco, and Bill McCormack chipped in 2 hits apiece. | ||||||
| Playoffs Ended | ||||||