Pogue Mahones Season Opener

The Pogues dropped both ends of the doubleheader to a good hitting team from Who-ville, 20-17 and 6-9. Next time we play them, we Won't Get Fooled Again and will be ready defensively.

We welcomed back Mike Beatty after a brief 3 year hiatus and Mike didn't disappoint, launching the only home run of the evening during game two. We also convinced Rick Fama to come out of retirement and Rick provided his usual clutch hitting and some fine defensive work at 1st base.

Our next game is scheduled for Wed April 30, 8:30 at Wantagh Park, field #2 against Venom.

Enjoy the weekend, and I hope to see some of you tonight at Jackie Reilly's to support DFS and Black Jack Betty.

Coach Carroll

PS - congrats go out to TJ Fama, Rick's son and Ricky's brother, on tossing a 1 hit shutout for the Holy Trinity Freshman team, and my son Kyle, for earning a Gold Medal in the backstroke at the CYO Championships and completing an undefeated season.

Pogue Mahones - 2008 Season

The 2008 Softball season is about to start for the Pogue Mahones. Our first game is scheduled for Wed, April 23rd, 7:15 at Cantigaue Park Field "C". Please be at the field by 6:45.

Our first opponent is Who-Ville. Jerseys are being embroidered and should be ready by game time. If not, wear something green (like the old Pog Mo Thoin or Classics jersey).

The schedule of games and beverage responsibility can be found by choosing the link below. If you cannot attend a game and it is your turn for beverages, please switch with someone.

http://stignatiuscyo.org/pog2008.pdf

See you all on the field!

Coach Carroll

HANK ROCKS - Nov 17th - Johny Malone's

Black Jack Betty will be headlining the Hank Rocks benefit on Saturday November 17th at Johnny Malone's in Wantagh (the former Lily Flanagan's). Doors open at 12:00pm. A $20 donation gets you in the door, as many as 5 of Long Island's best bands and a buffet. Raffles will also be sold to help raise funds for the Cancer Care Center at Winthrop University.

Prizes includes Jet pre-season tickets for '08, 4 regular season Met tickets for '08, Islander Tickets for '07-'08, Ranger tickets for "07-'08, autographed memorabilia from Nolan Ryan, Bill Bradly, Tony Gywnn, Chad Pennington, Reggie Jackson and David Wells, gift certificates to local restaurants and many more items.

The Hank Rocks benefit will help kids like Dave's 5 year old nephew - Hank, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hank is a strong kid, but he has a long road ahead of him.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the benefit for some great music, food and drinks and to support a great cause.

If you are interested in donating raffles for the benefit, please contact me at coachcarroll@verizon.net. You can also check out http://www.murphguide.com/ for more information on the benefit (go to the calendar and choose the Hank Rocks link on Nov 17).

Say Well!

Coach

Cardinals vs Port Washington Legends

Due to a Holiday tournament for the Port Washington Team, the boys played a single 7 inning game.

Mike Reilly started for the Cardinals, pitching a 1st inning shutout and holding the Legends to a one run 2nd thanks to a beautiful defensive play. With one run in, none out and runners on 1st and 2nd, a line shot was hit to right fielder Matt Tsotras. Matt pounced on the ball, making a perfect throw to first baseman Nick Schoen for the putout. Schoen turned and caught the runner drifting off 3rd, so he fired a throw to 3rd baseman Matt Arnone. The runner took off for home so Arnone turned and threw to catcher Matt Schumacher who applied the tag for the ol' 9-3-5-2 double play. The next batter grounded out to shortstop Kyle Carroll, who made the perfect throw back to 1st baseman Schoen for the putout.

In the bottom of the 2nd, with two outs and the bases juiced (thanks to walks by Schumacher, Schoen and Carroll), Joe Olivetto singled in the Cardinals first run of the game. Walks to Chris Sarni and Andrew Purcell produced two more runs and the Cardinals had a 3-1 lead.

Unfortunately, the Port Washington bats came to life in the 3rd, as they scored 6 runs. The damage could have been worse, but 2nd baseman Andrew Purcell snared a tough grounder up the middle, throwing to shortstop Carroll for an out and 3rd baseman Matt Arnone made a nice catch up against the fence to end the inning.

The Cardinals answer back in the bottom half with a running scoring single by Matt Tsotras, scoring Matt Schumacher who had singled and promptly stole 2nd and 3rd base.

The Port Washington offense continued to come back, scoring 3 in the 4th and 1 in the 5th to take a 11-4 lead.

The boys refused to give up. In the bottom of the 5th, a lead off walk to Anthony Wallitsch was followed by a single by Matt Schumacher and a run scoring single by Nick Schoen. After Matt Tsotras walked to load the bases, Matt Arnone cleared them with a lined drive double into center field. After stealing 3rd base, Arnone scored on an infield single by Kyle Carroll to close the gap 11-9.

After a scoreless 6th inning, which included the pitching debut of Andrew Purcell, the Legends scored 3 runs in the top of the 7th to take a 14-9 lead. The damage could have been worse, but with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd, centerfielder Matt Schumacher ran down a drive into the left centerfield gap, turned and fired to 2nd baseman Chris Sarni to complete the inning ending doubleplay.

In the bottom of the 7th a hit by pitch and two walks loaded the bases with two out. Anthony Wallitsch and Matt Schumacher produced run scoring singles to make the game 14-11. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Nick Schoen ripped a ball down the first base line. The ball looked headed for a 2 RBI double, but the Port Washington first baseman made a beautiful play to snare the ball just has it was headed into the outfield, ending the game.

Despite the loss, the boys played great and continue to improve on defense and at the plate.

The Coach Carroll Players of the Game were Matt Schumacher, who was 3-4 with a walk and 3 runs scored. Matt also stole 4 bases, including home a played well behind the plate and in centerfield; and Andrew Purcell who was 2-3 with 2 walks, played well at 2nd base and pitched great in his fall debut.

Thanks to Joe Olivetto for coming down and helping out the team.

Next Practice:
Wed Oct 10 - 5pm Giese Park

Next Game:
SATURDAY Oct 13 - 9am Giese Park vs Bayshore.

Roof Pro/Tailgaters Drop to 3-4-1

A tough sweep loss on Thursday night, despite scoring 20 runs over the course of two games. Seems like the defense just wasn't quite there - must have been thinking too much about the Heine Lites in the parking lot.

Good offensive production by ST Hotty, who had three hits; Mitch, who had 4 hits (2 doubles, 2 triples), DFS with 6 hits and SQLax with 3 hits, including a "scorching" bases clearing triple and 2 sacs.

Good news is that I've found the missing 2 inches that must have been cut off the top of my glove, so hopefully no more dropped balls in the outfield.

Next Game:
Thursday 10/04/07: Mean Street Auto at Mitchel #2, 6:45pm.

Roof Pro/Tailgaters Sweep Opening Night

The boys came out swinging last night against the Shockers, winning game one 18-6 and game two 20-12. Everybody was on, as hits were sprayed all over the park. In addition to returning summer Roof Pro/Tailgaters Paulie, DFS, Skales, Too Hotty, Novi, Capo and BGoerke it looks like we picked up some good Tailgaters, I mean ball players, in Joe Mama, Glenn (shouldn't it be the last batted out?), BCleary and Mitch.

Excellent offense throughout, despite the ol' coach getting caught looking - yes caught looking - at strike three, highlighted by multiple triples by DFS, Novi, Skales and Mitch and numerous doubles and singles. According to the scorebook, Coach followed up that backwards K with a Ballantine Blast, circling the bases and searching for oxygen.

Typical solid defense, including a game ending out at the plate courtesy of a laser from the Coach - come on guys, I have to give myself props after a looking K.

The rest of the schedule is...

Date Team Field
09/14/07 Shockers Eisenhower D at 6:45 PM
09/17/07 Burkes Landing Cantiague A at 7:00 PM
09/20/07 Venom Cantiague A at 9:15 PM
09/27/07 Kill Switch Cantiague A at 7:00 PM
10/04/07 Mean Street Auto Mitchel #2 at 6:45 PM
10/11/07 Warriors Cantiague A at 9:15 PM

Unfortunately, me and my excellent batting eye will not be at the next two games. I believe we have everyone else for Monday's game - Paulie, Dave, Joe, Novi, Skales, Brian G, Brian C, Mitch, Glenn and Scotty plus we should have Sean, Kevin G and Vin back. And I believe Capo is available if need be.

Paulie will take over the coaching responsibilities.

Good luck boys. I'll try to call in Monday night.

Coach

Tailgater/Roof Pro Fall Opener

The much anticipated Fall Opener for the Tailgater/Roof Pro team was rained out tonight at Cantiague Park.

Next game is scheduled for Friday, Sept 14th, 6:45pm at Eisenhower "D".

ROOF PRO SCHEDULE

09/11/07 Burkes Landing -vs-Roof Pro Cantiague A at 7:00 PM RAINED OUT
09/14/07 Shockers -vs- Roof Pro Eisenhower D at 6:45 PM
09/17/07 Burkes Landing -vs-Roof Pro Cantiague A at 7:00 PM MAKE UP
09/20/07 Venom -vs-Roof Pro Cantiague A at 9:15 PM
09/27/07 Kill Switch -vs-Roof Pro Cantiague A at 7:00 PM
10/04/07 Mean Street Auto -vs-Roof Pro Mitchel #2 at 6:45 PM
10/11/07 Warriors -vs-Roof Pro Cantiague A at 9:15 PM

Goerke and Skales have beverage duty for Friday (9/14) and Paulie Boy will take over the team for Monday (9/17) and Thursday (9/20) while Coach is in San Diego on "business".

See you boys on Friday!

Coach Carroll