PLAYOFFS:
PLAYOFFS ROUND 1:
(1) Pizza Plus 12 (8) HS 6:
As the top seed, coach Gene Ash got to choose which field he wanted and picked the gym, citing “We’re at our best when we’re forced to play small ball.” They proved that by boasting a big lead and didn’t relinquish it in their 12-6 victory over Holy Schnitzel to advance to the semifinals. Despite the defeat, Sonny Louz and David Esses finished strong seasons with homers.
(4) Mikes 16 (5) Slices 13
It was a seesaw battle as you would expect a 4-5 matchup to be. Slices though slightly held the upperhand through the contest and used a three run Homer by Billy Kassab, an Ezra Khafif two run job and a Yitzy Cohen solo shot for a 13-12 lead. But down to their final out, Mikes Chicken got the tying and winning runs on base before an HBP loaded the bases for the biggest at bat of Leon Greco’s career, who seized the moment by depositing a walk off grand slam to the delight of his ecstatic teammates, sending them to the semifinals.
(2) Retro 17 (7) Essen 10
Victor Antebi went deep, but it was the Yehuda Bearkat show as he obliterated a grand slam as well as a two run bomb for Retro Grill who convincingly took care of Essen after trailing early in the contest.
(3) Eat N run 15 (6) GLATT bite 14(Extras)
In a game that took two days to complete, the great playoff ninth inning comeback in JDSA history commenced. Jacob Antebi and Ezra Gindi went deep, while Elliot Menaged, Joseph Zafrani and Mark Edelstin went yard twice each helping stake Glatt Bite to a 14-9 advantage, and were three outs away from a first round upset win. “Eat N run is running away with the loss” remarked a fan. However, with room for one final “Glatt Bite”, the Eat N run sluggers didn’t go quietly into extinction. After two majestic shots to pull their team within three, Jacob Orfali reached to bring up Morris Yedid, who’s RBI double sliced the deficit to 14-12. Two batters later down to their final strike, Victor Cohen kept things alive with an RBI single, and passed the baton to Mike Swed with the score at 14-13. Moments later, Swed sent this game into the next day with an RBI double to tie it up at 14, and due to time constraints, extra innings would transpire on Wednesday.
With a robust crowd on hand on a sun-splashed afternoon, the marathon continued, and would be concluded when Morris Sayeg walloped a walk-off blast to cap the dramatic comeback and send Eat N run to the final four , winning the longest Butchie ball game in JDSA history.
SEMIFINALS:
(4) Mikes Chicken 10 (1) Pizzia Plus 4
The playoff are all about momentum and although Pizzia Plus entered play as the leagues hottest team, Mikes Chicken was coming off an enrapturing victory over Slices yesterday, and matched up well with Pizzia Plus based on their close regular season meetings. Out on the courts, Pizzia Plus looked unsynchronized, perhaps wary of the heat after playing indoors during their round game. MC roared to a quick 9-1 advantage, one they wouldn’t relinquish en route to the first upset of the postseason, ousting the presidents trophy winners. Homers were belted by season-saver Leon Greco, Jack Wolfe, Jack Novick, and Isaac Meta.
(2) Retro Grill 21 (3) Eat N run 17
Using the adrenaline from their win over Glatt Bite moments prior, Eat N run sprinted to a quick 6-0 first inning lead. However, Retro rallied to pull within 6-5, before seven unanswered runs by Eat N run saw the lead ballon to 13-5 and many wondered if perhaps the end of the line had come for a team and an offense that for stretches looked unstoppable during the regular season. In dire straits, Retro needed their leader and once he did, everyone else followed. Soly Turkieh went yard twice, Jacob Ades followed suit, and Benny as well as Isaac Edry Mizrahi had a multi-hit days, but it was Moshe Ovadia who’s playoff-record four homers highlighted the 15-0 spurt, as Retro Grill supplanted themselves with a 20-13 margin, enough to fend off late pushback from Eat N run and advance to the World Series which was played on Thursday.
WORLD SERIES:
MVP, Silver slugger Benny Mizrahi saved his best for last as he slugged three, 3run homers and was almost single handily the difference in Retro’s 18-7 victory.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER:
Joe Ades
Benny Mizrahi
Moshe Ovadia
Victor Antebi
Solly Turkieh
Simon Kameo
Victor Maleh
Isaac Edry
Yehuda Bearkat
Judes
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