KTBA weekly roundup: Senior rookie in action

Senior rookie action

The Royal LePage senior rookie Cobras have wrapped up regular season play and are heading into the playoff round.

The last part of the season was tough for the Cobras, with three losses compared to only one win. Despite this, coaches Joe and David were encouraged by the ever-improving skills of their players and are looking forward to evening the score during the playoffs.

The coaches and fans saw some good things during this season's play. Lead-off man Pearce Baker was a strong addition both on offence and defence. Erin Becker saw her game rise to a new level in her third year, and sister Jesse continued to wield a heavy bat. Cleanup hitter Jake Hansen proved to be an RBI machine.

Gregory Long showed his speed on the base paths and scored many runs. Andrew Sansone showed his strong defence many times, and Steven Dimitroff proved he knows how to hit. Daniel Grignano was a fine student in his first year of organized ball, and Jordan Chantiam demonstrated that he can rise to the occasion when called upon. Sabrina Renzi, with her strong spirit, proved to be the Cobras' most improved player in her first season.

Special thanks also to Ivor's Value Tire in Oak Ridges for their donation of time and materials to help maintain and repair our aging pitching machine throughout the season.

Mosquito action

Mosquito KM1 team Northern Air lit up the scoreboard in Bradford this week with an impressive and crowd-pleasing 18-9 victory.

All KM1 players contributed to the hitting barrage at the plate for Northern Air. Three first time pitchers were used by KM1 as the defence also sparkled. Cameron Riddell, Adam Cacchione and Thomas Galt took to the mound for the first time this season and were able to effectively throw a good mix of strikes and balls to thwart Bradford hitters. Veteran pitcher Zachary Wortzman was once again solid by not allowing any runs, while Daniel Pignatro only allowed one run.

A multi-hitting game was recorded from Northern Air's bats by Tyler Radell, Andrew Dinopoulos, Thomas Galt, Daniel and Matthew Bush. While solid infield plays by first baseman Leighton Costanzo beat any Bradford runners attempting to reach safely. A fantastic double play was recorded by Cameron Riddell during his pitching stint with a backhanded catch of a pop fly near the first base line and then relaying the ball to Catcher Tyler Radell who applied the tag to a Bradford Runner who was caught off guard trying to take home after tagging up at third base. All Northern Air players were smiling as they did a victory lap around the bases after shaking the hands of the Bradford players.

Hunter Chantiam was the Northern Air KM1 player of the game as he reached base safely three times and scored three runs. Hunter was also very effective in centre field as he gathered up a Bradford hit and threw it to the cut-off player Cameron who in turn pivoted and tossed the ball to catcher Tyler who then applied the tag to a Bradford player attempting to slide home.

Peewee action

July 21, King's peewee teams faced each other for the second time this season. Armstrong Petroleums edged out a win earning 15 runs to the 12 scored by Fireplace Stop. Fireplace Stop's Kamren Wallbank, Matthew Fiorini, Matthew Sperduti and Cameron Wells had single hits in the game. Aydden Almadi connected for a double and Matthew Sperduti added to his tally with an inside-thepark homerun. Matthew also demonstrated a spectacular leaping catch at first base to stop two Armstrong Petroleums runners from scoring. Matthew Sperduti was chosen Star of the Game for his efforts Tuesday night.

Bantam action

Phoenix Electric's bantam King Cobras were tied for first place at the beginning of the week. After two games against their toughest competition,

King is in the top position. Wednesday night the Phoenix Electric boys played a close game with Bradford's Town Taxi, finishing with a score of 8-6 and Thursday a more confident King team wrapped things up with a score of 14-3.

Wednesday night in Bradford was a perfect night for baseball, efficient pitching and great team defense kept the boys on top. On the mound for King was Marshall Perone, who had two strikeouts and didn't let a run in until the third inning.

The Phoenix Electric Cobras showed off their skills to Town Taxi, turning two impressive double plays. Travis Brinovec, Stewart Burman and Taylor Joseph were highlights in the second and Taylor caught a fly ball in the fourth and tagged the runner at second for the other double play.

Player of the game Wednesday was Taylor Joseph, not only thanks to his great defence, but also managing a soft hit to second that allowed two runs to score.

Thursday, Phoenix Electric saw even more action. Pitching was Taylor

Joseph, Jonathan Mele and Tristan Joseph. The crowd was especially alert all game thanks to an interesting batting blooper courtesy of the Cobras.

Highlights of the game were countless and included great batting by Travis, with a huge rip past second, and Tristan who smashed a single. In the third inning all three outs came from drop balls on the third strike and with a quick pass to first, Phoenix Electric managed to tally three outs.

King also managed to put a few sly ones past a seemingly uninterested Bradford team.

Marshall practically walked to steal home in the fourth and Patrick Price in the third managed not only to walk home, but he got there before the pitcher realized the ump had announced it was time to play ball. The team's star Thursday was Tristan Joseph who was solid on the mound and had two great hits and even managed a single with a switch hit in the final inning.

Next week the boys take on Ben's Pharmacy twice and the boys are sure our place in the standings will remain unthreatened.