A wild Veto League Baseball three game series features Vinny Polito hitting for the cycle, Scott Ellefritz almost hitting for the cycle, Matt Veto falling to injury, and Lance McCafferty pulling to within a game and a half of first place.
Saturday’s action put Engstrom (4-5) and McCafferty (4-5) up against each other for the final time during the regular season. McCafferty took the game and the season series by the final of 17-14 in 11 innings.
On Sunday, Veto (5-3) took sole possession of first place with a 22-11 drubbing of McCafferty. But McCafferty would rebound on Monday with an 18-14 victory over Heckenkamp (4-4). Veto and Heckenkamp will battle for first place outright on Saturday, July 19.
With 11 players on Saturday, Jacob VandeMoortel, still in the average race, would get plenty of at-bats to stay within the minimum requirement. Brett Carlson claims VandeMoortel claimed forgot to pick him up on purpose simply because he needed the at-bats. VandeMoortel said in response, “Whatever, I’d rather be selfish than stupid.”
Carlson would pay for his heckling in the fourth inning as he rounds third trying to score, but manages to trip and roll in the dirt instead.
“The only thing bruised is my ego; and my leg,” Carlson said. He would score on an Ashley Engstrom base hit anyway.
McCafferty got help with key hits in key situations. Bobby Carter was 1 for 10 on the day, but his one hit was a 3 run double in the 11th inning that broke the tie and led to an eventual win. Steve Roberts also had 7 RBI and 2 home-runs, one a grand slam, in the game.
The real story came from the losing side as Scott Ellefritz broke out of a self-proclaimed slump knocking out 2 home-runs, doubling, and singling. He came only a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, but was happy with his 8 for 12 day with 7 RBI and 2 home-runs.
“I knew it was gone the second it went over the fence,” Ellefritz said of his first home-run.
On Sunday, Veto would help himself having one of his best games of the season going 6 for 8 with a double and 3 RBI en route to a victory over McCafferty. Batting Steve Roberts in the number 2 slot, Veto’s hits led to several runs. Roberts had 6 RBI going 4 for 8 on the day.
More help came from the speedy Vinny Polito. Polito opened the lid of his shoe-box and pulled out a pair of shiny new soccer spikes. It was a scene taken directly out of the Sandlot when Benny ‘the Jet’ Rodriguez pulled out his P F Flyers. Polito hit for his triple first and worried about the double and the single later. His triple would also come first in a back to back triple sequence with Zach Schoop, the second time in VLB history the feat has been recorded.
Polito’s home-run came last and Veto’s dugout erupted as Polito rounded the bases finishing off his cycle. Different from the Sandlot, however, was that the baseball hit out was autographed by Hector Villenueva, so no real loss was felt.
Unrest would fall over the ballpark on Monday when Veto pulled himself out of a VLB game for the first time in his career. After diving for a low liner, Veto hit the ground hard with his knee, rolled over, and got up to take his place in center field.
“The thing that makes me feel a little bit better was that there wasn’t any pain involved so I hope that means it doesn’t have to do with any tendon or ligament damage,” Veto said. “It started swelling up pretty quickly though and it’s about the size of a golf ball now, so I thought I had better get it iced down.” Veto is pending further examination and is listed as day to day.
That same inning, in the top of the fourth, McCafferty took charge of Heckenkamp plating 7 runs to take a 1 run lead. Steve Roberts would go 4 for 7 against Heckenkamp hitting 2 home-runs and plating 6.
Other solid days included 5 for 7 efforts by VandeMoortel and Kevin Powell, and 4 for 6 efforts from Ashley Engstrom, Craig Fyfe, and Steve Miller.
Veto and Heckenkamp will battle for the first regular season VLB crown Saturday, July 19.
Saturday’s action put Engstrom (4-5) and McCafferty (4-5) up against each other for the final time during the regular season. McCafferty took the game and the season series by the final of 17-14 in 11 innings.
On Sunday, Veto (5-3) took sole possession of first place with a 22-11 drubbing of McCafferty. But McCafferty would rebound on Monday with an 18-14 victory over Heckenkamp (4-4). Veto and Heckenkamp will battle for first place outright on Saturday, July 19.
With 11 players on Saturday, Jacob VandeMoortel, still in the average race, would get plenty of at-bats to stay within the minimum requirement. Brett Carlson claims VandeMoortel claimed forgot to pick him up on purpose simply because he needed the at-bats. VandeMoortel said in response, “Whatever, I’d rather be selfish than stupid.”
Carlson would pay for his heckling in the fourth inning as he rounds third trying to score, but manages to trip and roll in the dirt instead.
“The only thing bruised is my ego; and my leg,” Carlson said. He would score on an Ashley Engstrom base hit anyway.
McCafferty got help with key hits in key situations. Bobby Carter was 1 for 10 on the day, but his one hit was a 3 run double in the 11th inning that broke the tie and led to an eventual win. Steve Roberts also had 7 RBI and 2 home-runs, one a grand slam, in the game.
The real story came from the losing side as Scott Ellefritz broke out of a self-proclaimed slump knocking out 2 home-runs, doubling, and singling. He came only a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, but was happy with his 8 for 12 day with 7 RBI and 2 home-runs.
“I knew it was gone the second it went over the fence,” Ellefritz said of his first home-run.
On Sunday, Veto would help himself having one of his best games of the season going 6 for 8 with a double and 3 RBI en route to a victory over McCafferty. Batting Steve Roberts in the number 2 slot, Veto’s hits led to several runs. Roberts had 6 RBI going 4 for 8 on the day.
More help came from the speedy Vinny Polito. Polito opened the lid of his shoe-box and pulled out a pair of shiny new soccer spikes. It was a scene taken directly out of the Sandlot when Benny ‘the Jet’ Rodriguez pulled out his P F Flyers. Polito hit for his triple first and worried about the double and the single later. His triple would also come first in a back to back triple sequence with Zach Schoop, the second time in VLB history the feat has been recorded.
Polito’s home-run came last and Veto’s dugout erupted as Polito rounded the bases finishing off his cycle. Different from the Sandlot, however, was that the baseball hit out was autographed by Hector Villenueva, so no real loss was felt.
Unrest would fall over the ballpark on Monday when Veto pulled himself out of a VLB game for the first time in his career. After diving for a low liner, Veto hit the ground hard with his knee, rolled over, and got up to take his place in center field.
“The thing that makes me feel a little bit better was that there wasn’t any pain involved so I hope that means it doesn’t have to do with any tendon or ligament damage,” Veto said. “It started swelling up pretty quickly though and it’s about the size of a golf ball now, so I thought I had better get it iced down.” Veto is pending further examination and is listed as day to day.
That same inning, in the top of the fourth, McCafferty took charge of Heckenkamp plating 7 runs to take a 1 run lead. Steve Roberts would go 4 for 7 against Heckenkamp hitting 2 home-runs and plating 6.
Other solid days included 5 for 7 efforts by VandeMoortel and Kevin Powell, and 4 for 6 efforts from Ashley Engstrom, Craig Fyfe, and Steve Miller.
Veto and Heckenkamp will battle for the first regular season VLB crown Saturday, July 19.
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