Yes, the battered, broken hulk that has been the Cougars team was finally raised from the depths of the ocean floor, patched and polished, and with sails billowed by a favorable breeze, cruised to its first victory in a long, long time on Sunday morning at Swift Road. Cougars 9, Cyclones 1.
Frank Montagano started for the Cougars, yielding with one out in the fourth to Cougars rookie and former Twilight League all-star Mark Denicola, who deftly closed out the game without allowing a run. Overall, Cougars pitchers allowed just three hits and three walks, with four strikeouts, thanks in large part to catcher Steve Schaefer, who, as always, called and caught a superb game.
Cougars hitters got it going, as well. With two outs in the fourth, the Cougars proceeded to plate six, via a walk to returning Cougars stand-out Andy "The Rocket" Andros, singles by Moffre (2/3, BB), Montagano, Denicola (2/4, rbi), and Cougars rookie and former D-1 catcher Kevin Roohan, and rbi doubles by Rob Briscoe (2/4) and Michael Gannon. The Felines tacked on three more in the fifth, with singles by Andros, Briscoe, and Joe Kosek.
Happiness is...pitching to contact (with a solid defense behind you, that is), and, indeed, defense was the difference on Sunday for the new-look Cougars. The Cats not only made the routine plays, but, as winning teams tend to do, made an extraordinary play. This particular one was turned by left-fielder Craig Moffre, who stopped traffic with a sliding shoe-string catch in the bottom of the fifth. Smooth job, Craig.
And speaking of defense, the Cyclones' Francisco Rosario stunned everyone in attendance by firing a 175-foot one-hop strike to first base following a catch in left field to double up the runner. Truly, this was the finest throw I have witnessed in my 8+ years in the CDMSBL. Well done, Francisco.
For the gritty Cyclones, Bob Weitz (rbi) and Ray Meandro had singles, and Dave Webber added a well-struck double. (Unfortunately, Webber tore a quadriceps pulling into second--get well soon, Dave!)
My thanks to manager Read Shepherd, Harold "The Hit Man" Jenkins, and the entire Cyclones team. They fought hard the entire game and are great guys to a man.
And allow me to add special thanks to umpires Don McCann and Tim Thibodeau, who performed their duties with admirable skill and grace.
Frank Mgr., 45+ Cougars
-- Edited by Frank Montagano on Monday 7th of May 2012 04:21:53 PM
-- Edited by Frank Montagano on Monday 7th of May 2012 04:26:25 PM
-- Edited by Frank Montagano on Monday 7th of May 2012 04:27:38 PM
Congratulations Frank. Far be it for me to say that you write your own book, albeit, quirky, but you always field a team that will battle. And seems like you won this won with your purple bunch.
Nice Frank... Sounds like the team is vastly improved from last year... I thought I was at an awards show when I read your post, I mean heck, I'm sure you forgot to thank someone, but not many...
