UCSSL 2026 PLAYOFF GAMES
50’s Divisions
Playoff Rounds for Week Ending August 16, 2026
Douglas VW 18, Phenomenal Boyz 8
Douglas VW defeated Phenomenal Boyz 18-8 in the opening game of this best of three semifinal 50s A  playoff series. After a back-and-forth start, the V-Dubs quickly seized control, scoring five runs in both the second and third innings to build a commanding lead they would never relinquish.   Leading the offensive attack was Fernando Diaz, who went a perfect 4-for-4. Luis Rivera jump-started the scoring with a deep three-run home run in the second inning. Justin Doyle, Frank Padovano, and Willie Solar each added three hits, while Al Genova and Luke Nacca contributed two hits apiece.   While the offense provided plenty of fireworks, the true stars of the night were the entire team’s defensive effort. Mario Fastiggi was lights-out on the mound, keeping the Phenomenal Boys’ lineup in check. Behind him, Rivera and Nacca turned in stellar performances in the infield, while Diaz, Padovano, Genova, and Hector Munoz helped lock down the outfield.  With the victory, the Dubs are now just one win away from returning to the finals, where they’ll look to defend their championship crown.
Angry Joe’s Apparel 10 , Rocky’s Bar & Grill 7
Game 1 of this best of three 50s A semifinal playoff series between these familiar division rivals at Rahway Park was tight and low-scoring until Angry Joe’s broke it open with six runs in the sixth inning, grabbing the lead and powering past Rocky’s for a thrilling win. Rocky’s offense was led by Anderson Monzon, who collected three hits, while Craig Michaud went 2-for-3. Larry Pacifico added a triple and a sacrifice fly, and Dave Martorano, LaQuan “Fu” Gray, Pete Abene, Ellan Ben-Hayon, Todd O’Reilly, Don Sheehy, and Frank Mastrocola also contributed at the plate in the tough loss.
Echo Tap & Grille 11,,Dowling’s Tavern 4
In Game 1 of this 50s B semifinal playoff series at scenic Tremley Point, the Echo Tap built a 7-2 lead after two innings and never looked back, cruising to an 11-4 win. Winning pitcher Joe Sheridan led Echo’s offense with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, while Nick Mennona went 2-for-2 with two walks. Dr. Rob Wallace, Greg Thomas, Steve Halper, and Erik Hastrup each added two hits in a deep lineup as Echo took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Angry Joe’s Apparel 13, Rocky’s Bar & Grill 9
Angry Joe’s punched its ticket to the 50s A Division Finals by completing a two-game playoff sweep of Rocky’s Bar & Grill. In another tight, hard-fought battle, the teams traded runs throughout the night before Angry Joe’s broke through in the top of the seventh and sealed the win.
Rocky’s kept battling at the plate, powered by perfect nights from LaQuan “Fu” Gray and Larry Pacifico, who each went 3-for-3. Craig Michaud and Ellan Ben-Hayon added two hits apiece, Dave Martorano chipped in a 2-for-4 effort, and Jim Litterio, Pete Abene, Todd O’Reilly, Don Sheehy, and Bob Howlett all contributed on offense in the hard-fought loss.
Echo Tap & Grille 19, Dowling’s Tavern 4
Against the backdrop of picturesque Rahway River Park, Echo Tap & Grille turned a tight 5-3 lead after three innings into a 19-4 victory, scoring 14 runs over the final four frames to sweep Dowling’s in this 50s  semifinal series to earn a berth in the B Division Finals. Leadoff hitters Lloyd Haymes and Deuce Brown combined for three hits and a walk, while Roy Alexander went 2-for-3 with two walks. Dr. Rob Wallace added a 3-for-5 night with a double, and pitcher Joe Sheridan stayed hot by going 4-for-4 while allowing only eight runs across the two-game series to secure the win. Sean Dolan was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a walk, Cruz Missile legged out a triple, and Erik Hastrup went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Echo now awaits the winner of Thirsty Turtle and Terawulf in the B Division Final.
Thirsty Turtle 13, Sonia’s BCE 7
Thirsty Turtle captured game 1 of this best of three 50s B quarterfinal playoff series by a score of 13-7.
Thirsty Turtle 16, Sonia’s BCE 6
Thirsty Turtle completed a sweep of Sonia’s BCE in game two of this 50s B playoff quarterfinal series by a score of 16-6. The Turtles move on to play Terawulf in the semifinals
Playoff Rounds for Week EndingSeptember 3, 2026
Douglas VW 35, Phenomenal Boyz 6
In Game #2 of the 50’s UCSSL semifinals, the Douglas VW won in decisive fashion, silencing the usually loud Phenomenal Boyz with a lopsided 35–6 victory. The V-Dubs offense got rolling from the first inning and only gained momentum as the night went on. Led by Lou Rivera, Frank Padovano, and Al Genova, who were all a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate. Donnie Perkins continued to stay hot, collecting five hits, including a home run. Steve Steransak added 4 hits, including a towering home run of his own, while Fernando Diaz and Willie Solar each chipped in four hits apiece. Not to be left out, Dan Righetti and Hector Munoz also added three hits.  On the mound, Mario Fastiggi shined once again, shutting down the P-Boyz offense with precision pitching backed by solid defense. The middle infield tandem of Luke Nacca and Lou Rivera continued their impressive double-play streak, adding two more inning ending turns to the defensive pairs total. With their victory, the Dubs are now headed back to the UCSSL Finals for the sixth consecutive year, where they will take on the former Deegan Roofing crew, now known as Angry Joe’s.
Terawulf 20, Thirsty Turtle 7
Playoff Rounds for Week Ending August 30, 2026
Angry Joe’s Apparel 12, Douglas VW 11
In a game that was there for the taking, the Angry Joe’s crew played nearly flawless ball and held on to defeat Douglas VW in Game 1 of the UCSSL 50s A Championship best of three series by a score of 12-11.
The drama came down to the bottom of the 7th, as the Douglas V-Dubs stranded the tying run on third while the winning run stood on first. Billy Buteau, who had already homered earlier in the night, stepped to the plate and launched a high fly ball deep into right-center. For a moment, it looked like the game might turn, but the ball was hauled in just short of the fence, allowing the Angry Joe’s crew to lock down the hard-fought victory.
On offense the V-Dubs were relatively quiet, but a few bats came through. Chris Yee and Billy Buteau each went deep, while Willie Solar and Al Genova collected three hits apiece. Lou Rivera and Frank Padovano chipped in with two hits each.
 Douglas VW 21, Angry Joe’s Apparel 8
After game 2 of the 50s A Division best of three series was rained out before it became official, Douglas VW and Angry Joe’s Apparel returned to Linden Memorial Field to continue their battle for the trophy. With their backs against the wall and their season on the line, the Douglas V-Dubs made the most of their second chance, coming out smoking with 11early runs and cruising to a decisive 21-8 victory over Angry Joe’s, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 for the 2026 championship.  Leading the offensive attack was Chris Yee, who once again lit the engine for the V-Dubs with a perfect 5-for-5 performance. Not to be outdone, Donnie Perkins matched him with a flawless 5-for-5 night of his own. Steve Steransak continued his hot hitting, collecting four hits, including a long home run, while Lou Rivera also had four hits and added a home run. Justin Doyle and Frank Padovano each contributed three hits, while Dan Righetti and Al Genova chipped in with two hits apiece.  Douglas was just as impressive on defense, turning four double plays on the night. Lou Rivera led the charge in the field, while Mario Fastiggi was brilliant on the hill, continuing his dominance throughout the 2026 season and keeping the Angry Joe’s offense in check.  
Douglas VW 25, Angry Joe’s Apparel 6
In what was expected to be a 15-round heavyweight battle quickly turned into a championship beatdown, as  Douglas VW captured their third consecutive UCSSL 50s “A” Division Championship with a dominating 25-6 victory over Angry Joe’s Apparel in the deciding game of the best of three series.  The V-Dubs found themselves in an early hole, falling behind 4-0 heading into the bottom of the first as Angry Joe’s came out swinging and looking to make an early statement.  But the defending champions answered immediately. Douglas erupted for six runs in the bottom of the first, then completely took control of the game, scoring 18 unanswered runs as the offense continued to pound away and the defense slammed the door.  Leading the offensive gauntlet was Chris Yee, who put together a spectacular 5-for-5 performance with two towering home runs. Not to be outdone, Donnie Perkins and Frank Padovano were also a perfect 5-for-5, while Hector Munoz went 4-for-4. Other big nights at the plate came from Lou Rivera, who collected four hits, Steve Steransak, who added four hits including a home run, and Justin Doyle, who chipped in with three hits. On the mound, “The General” Mario Fastiggi once again delivered when his team needed him most. Fastiggi pitched lights-out while also leading a lockdown Douglas defense.  The infield was anchored by Lou Rivera, Willie Solar, Donnie Perkins and Steve Steransak, while the “rabbits” patrolling the outfield — Al Genova and Fernando Diaz — covered plenty of ground and helped keep the Angry Joe’s offense in check.
Terawulf 18, Echo Tap & Grille 8 
Terawulf escaped a bases loaded situation unscathed in the top of the 1st, put up a 6 spot in the bottom of the inning and cruised to an 18-8 victory, taking game 1 of the B Division Championship best of three series. The closest Echo Tap got was a 10-4 deficit. Leading the offense for the Barmen was Chris Paternostro who was a perfect 3 for 3 with a HR. Tapmeisters with 2 hits were Lloyd Haymes, Roy Alexander, Joe Sheridan and Sean Dolan.
Echo Tap & Grille 22 , Terawulf 10
Facing elimination in game two of the 50s B Championship best of three series, Echo Tap fell behind 6-1 after 2.5 innings and things looked bleak. The bats started to awaken in the bottom of the 3rd as Echo scored 3 to close to 6-4. With their bats awake, the Grillmeisters put up 6 runs in each of the next three innings to force a decisive game 3. Leading the way for the Barmen was Nick Mennona a perfect 4 for 4, Dr Rob Wallace 3 for 4 with a HR, Greg Thomas 3 for 4 with a HR, winning pitcher Joe Sheridan 3for 4, and Chris Paternostro 3 for 4. Chipping in with 2 hits each were Lloyd Haymes, Scott Rosenbloom, Steve Halper, Erik Hastrup and Deuce Brown. The 50s B Division Championship Series is tied 1-1 
Terawulf 17,  Echo Tap & Grille 16
The weather held out at Tremley Point and the deciding game of the best of three B Division Championship did not disappoint the standing room only crowd. In a back and forth game that went to extra innings to decide a champion, Terawulf prevailed in the bottom of the 8th. After 3 innings Terawulf was ahead 4-3. After 4 innings Echo held a 9-6 lead, and after 5 innings the game was tied at 12. Terawulf then took a 15-13 lead after 6. Facing defeat, the Barmen rose off the mat with 2 solo HRs, one by Chris Paternostro (2 for 4), and the tying HR by Scott Rosenbloom who was a perfect 4 for4 on the night. The Tapmeisters held Terawulf scoreless in the bottom of the 7th to force bonus softball. Erik Hastrup (2 for 4), started the extra frame on 2nd base, and advanced to 3rd on Cruz Moctezuma's flyout. Lloyd Haymes (3 for 5), drove him in giving Echo a 16-15 lead. Terawulf came to bat in the bottom of the 8th trailing by one. In the most dramatic game finish of the entire season if not in the entire 38-year history of the league, Raymond Prandy came to bat with one runner on and launched a moon ball into the Linden night that cleared the fence for a 2-run walk-off home run to crown Terawulf 50s B Division Champions. 
Playoffs Completed