(08) THUNDER

The Palm Beach League welcomed eight new players to four teams after open tryouts at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach on Sunday, March 3.

The top pick was 24 year old Matt Zelgewicz, a West Palm Beach resident, who was chosen by the Create-Core Badgers, the only 18AAA team participating in the draft. Zelgewicz was impressive as a pitcher-infielder, showing ability with the bat as well as with the glove. He played college ball with Division II Georgia Perimeter after high school in Augusta, Georgia. He demonstrated a live fast ball and displayed a fine arm in infield drills. His best position when he is not on the mound is third base.

Rodolfo (Rudy) Plasencia, 34, and Brendyn Rojas,19, were both chosen by the 18AA Thunder, which will debut under veteran manager Mike Soulen. Plasencia was a youth league star in Miami and has a lot of Adult League experience in the South Florida Baseball League of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Rojas showed versatility, as an infielder and outfielder, and swung the bat well. Rojas now lives in West Palm Beach after growing up in the Miami area. .

The Expos added two pitchers to their 18AA squad when they chose 21-year old Magdiel Cortes of West Palm, and 35-year old Chad Webster, also of West Palm. Cortes played at Forest Hill High School., American Legion Post 12, and saw action with the NABA Palm Beach Pirates. They added a versatile veteran in Danny Means, a 46-year old with lots of Adult League experience, including a season with the Cheetahs last fall.

And, the Dodgers picked up two players in hard throwing pitcher Jedremy Badovick, who can play first base, third base, and outfield as well. Badovick has previous Palm Beach League experience. The Dodgers also claimed 20-year old infielder-outfielder, Leighton Davis, of Lake Park.

(Sunday, February 10, 2013)-The second seeded Los Tigres won their ninth league championship, taking the 18AAA title 5-2, over the top seeded Wild West Wranglers behind a 13-strikeout performance by former St. Louis Cardinals' minor leaguer Wilson Ciprian.

In the 18AA championship, the third seeded Gators defeated the top seeded Nationals 12-2. Ronal Diaz went eight strong innings for the win, and Yosvany Garcia hit a two run homer to give the Gators a lead they would never give up.

The Tigres scored all five of their runs in the 7th inning off Wranglers' ace Danny LaPerna, who had fashioned a two hit shutout until the big rally. Richard Paulino had a run scoring single, Luis Mejia a two run base hit and Rob Conver an RBI hit. The fifth run scored on an infield error.

The Wranglers took the early lead in the second inning on a two out double by Rob Wiley, and a single by former major leaguer Mike Wood (Florida Marlins). Cory Johnson singled in the second run in the third inning, but that was the last hit that Ciprian was to allow. He pitched no hit ball for the next 5 1/3 innings, when he notched eight of his 13 strikeouts. Former Marlins' farmhand, Gustavo Lopez, chalked up a save with a scoreless 9th inning.

Wranglers' manager and center fielder Brian Fitzsimmons suffered a calf injury going after a double by Jose Espino and was out for the rest of the game.

In the Gators' victory, they spotted the Nationals a 1-0 lead in the first inning before roaring back. Eddie Lopez doubled and scored a single by Jorge Diaz to give the Nats their only lead of the game.

Garcia's two run blast to left followed a two out error that extended the third inning. They added two more in the sixth and another run in the 7th off starter and loser Anthony Rodriguez. Carlos Jimenez' sacrifice fly and an RBI double by Eduardo Del Toro made it 4-1, and Yordany Martinez' infield grounder scored another unearned run in the next frame. Four of the five runs Rodriguez gave up were unearned as the Nationals' defense committed five errors.

The Gators put the game out of reach with seven runs in the last two innings off Nationals' relievers to capture their first 18AA championship. Most of the same players played on two 18AA championship teams when they were known as Blades Barber Shop and the Cubans Blades. The nucleus of the Nationals' team won a previous league championship as the Warriors.

Manatees 8 Los Tigres 4

   The Manatees completed a sweep of the 2012 seasons, adding the Spring title to their Fall 2011-12 championship.  They jumped out to a 6-run lead in the first inning, and never looked back.  Max Johnson, Emilio Vargas and skipper Brian Fitzsimmons, the first three hitters, all singled.  Ryan McDonald drew a walk to drive in the first run, and with one out, Drew Davis was hit by a pitch to drive in another. 

   Dave Gariepy’s sacrifice fly made it 3-0, and after Danny Laperna was hit by a pitch, pitcher Mike Wood ripped a two run single to right, driving Tigers’ starter Joel Vazquez out of the game.  Billy Campbell greeted Jose Acuna with an RBI single to cap the big inning for the Manatees, who came into the playoffs as the #2 seed.  

   The Tigres reached Wood for a run in the second and two more in the third to chop the lead to 6-3.   The Tigers put together three hits, singles by Jose Espino, Carlos Arroyo and Ariel Adames, with Espino scoring on an infield roller by Melvin Bruno to make it 6-1.

   Espino smashed a two run single to left to score Luis Mejia, who had singled and advanced to third on Richard Paulino’s double. 

   Acuna kept the Manatees quiet for 3 1/3 innings, but Max Johnson led off the fifth with a home run to left for a 7-3 lead. 

   The Tigres got a run back in the bottom half as Andres Rodriguez doubled, went to third on an errant pickoff attempt by Wood, and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Espino, his third RBI of the game and it was back to a three run deficit at 7-4. 

   Wilson Ciprian held the Manatees scoreless for three innings, allowing only a single by Campbell.  However, the Manatees got an unearned run off him in the 9th on a two base throwing error,  a groundout and wild pitch.  A frustrating inning for the Tigers should have ended with a passed ball on a third strike pitch to Dave Gariepy.  The pitch forced catcher Bruno to leave the game with a swollen thumb, Gariepy was safe at first, but Ciprian finally got out of it when Campbell flied out to center field with the bases loaded. 

   Fitzimmons gave up only two hits and no runs in three innings, with two strikeouts, to earn a save. 

   Max Johnson with an infield hit and a homer, Campbell with two hits and an RBI, and Wood, with a two run single led the Manatees.

    Espino led the top seeded Tigres with two hits and three RBIs.   Arroyo and Acuna also had two hits each.    

   Wood, whose pro career saw him pitch in the majors with the Florida (now Miami) Marlins,  was selected as the championship game’s Most Valuable Player.     

Blue Jays 7 Industriales 2

   The Blue Jays scored five runs in the first three innings and Chris Saxton pitched the complete game victory to give the Jays their first league championship.  The Industriales lost their second title game of the year, having lost to the Sugar Kings in the Fall of 2011-2012.

   KJ Ventry, who went 4 for 4, led off the Blue Jays’ first with a ringing double to right field, stole third and scored on an infield roller by Khris Hanna.

   The Jays added two in the second on hits by Kevin Menschel and Aziel Shea, a sacrifice bunt by Greg Kelm, a passed ball and a sacrifice fly by Saxton. 

   Two more runs in the third made it a 5-0 game.  Ventry led this rally off as well, smashing a single up the middle and scoring on Chris Laforge’s long double to left field.  After moving to third on Hanna’s groundout, Laforge scored on a single by Barry Kent.

   The Blue Jays made it 6-0 with another run in the sixth.  Ventry led off the frame with a single, Laforge doubled down the left field line, and Menschel’s sacrifice fly scored Ventry. 

    The Industriales finally broke through against Saxton for two runs in the top of the 7th.  Jose Corea singled to right for his third hit of a four hit game.  Hector Rivera singled, moving Carea to third.  Carea took third on a fly ball to short right field caught by the Jays’ second sacker, Carlo Dominguez, and scored on Angel Javier’s RBI single.  Rivera scored an unearned run when Saxton erred in an attempt to pick off Javier at first base, but that was all the Industriales could manage.   

    Saxton wound up with nine strikeouts, and kept nine hits well scattered.  He did not walk a batter, hit Felix Armas with a pitch, but  did not allow a runner past second base until the I’s got their two run in the 7th inning.  He was selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

   The Blue Jays got their final run in the bottom of the seventh.  Kelm led off the frame with a double, and after pinch hitter Keith Buck, batting for Saxton, moved him to third, Kelm scvored on Dwayne Cabral’s deep sacrifice fly to left. 

   Ventry led all hitters with a perfect 4-for-4, a double, stolen base and three runs scored.  Laforge had two doubles. 

   Carea led the Industriales with his four hits, a stolen base, and a run scored.  He also registered four putouts in center field.  Javier had two hits and drove in one run for the I’s, who came into the tournament as the number five seed.  The Blue Jays were #3. 

   Laforge was playing his final game in the Palm Beach League before moving back to Dutchess County, New York.  

(Sunday, February 10, 2013)-The second seeded Los Tigres won their ninth league championship, taking the 18AAA title 5-2, over the top seeded Wild West Wranglers behind a 13-strikeout performance by former St. Louis Cardinals' minor leaguer Wilson Ciprian.

In the 18AA championship, the third seeded Gators defeated the top seeded Nationals 12-2. Ronal Diaz went eight strong innings for the win, and Yosvany Garcia hit a two run homer to give the Gators a lead they would never give up.

The Tigres scored all five of their runs in the 7th inning off Wranglers' ace Danny LaPerna, who had fashioned a two hit shutout until the big rally. Richard Paulino had a run scoring single, Luis Mejia a two run base hit and Rob Conver an RBI hit. The fifth run scored on an infield error.

The Wranglers took the early lead in the second inning on a two out double by Rob Wiley, and a single by former major leaguer Mike Wood (Florida Marlins). Cory Johnson singled in the second run in the third inning, but that was the last hit that Ciprian was to allow. He pitched no hit ball for the next 5 1/3 innings, when he notched eight of his 13 strikeouts. Former Marlins' farmhand, Gustavo Lopez, chalked up a save with a scoreless 9th inning.

Wranglers' manager and center fielder Brian Fitzsimmons suffered a calf injury going after a double by Jose Espino and was out for the rest of the game.

In the Gators' victory, they spotted the Nationals a 1-0 lead in the first inning before roaring back. Eddie Lopez doubled and scored a single by Jorge Diaz to give the Nats their only lead of the game.

Garcia's two run blast to left followed a two out error that extended the third inning. They added two more in the sixth and another run in the 7th off starter and loser Anthony Rodriguez. Carlos Jimenez' sacrifice fly and an RBI double by Eduardo Del Toro made it 4-1, and Yordany Martinez' infield grounder scored another unearned run in the next frame. Four of the five runs Rodriguez gave up were unearned as the Nationals' defense committed five errors.

The Gators put the game out of reach with seven runs in the last two innings off Nationals' relievers to capture their first 18AA championship. Most of the same players played on two 18AA championship teams when they were known as Blades Barber Shop and the Cubans Blades. The nucleus of the Nationals' team won a previous league championship as the Warriors.

Manatees 8 Los Tigres 4

   The Manatees completed a sweep of the 2012 seasons, adding the Spring title to their Fall 2011-12 championship.  They jumped out to a 6-run lead in the first inning, and never looked back.  Max Johnson, Emilio Vargas and skipper Brian Fitzsimmons, the first three hitters, all singled.  Ryan McDonald drew a walk to drive in the first run, and with one out, Drew Davis was hit by a pitch to drive in another. 

   Dave Gariepy’s sacrifice fly made it 3-0, and after Danny Laperna was hit by a pitch, pitcher Mike Wood ripped a two run single to right, driving Tigers’ starter Joel Vazquez out of the game.  Billy Campbell greeted Jose Acuna with an RBI single to cap the big inning for the Manatees, who came into the playoffs as the #2 seed.  

   The Tigres reached Wood for a run in the second and two more in the third to chop the lead to 6-3.   The Tigers put together three hits, singles by Jose Espino, Carlos Arroyo and Ariel Adames, with Espino scoring on an infield roller by Melvin Bruno to make it 6-1.

   Espino smashed a two run single to left to score Luis Mejia, who had singled and advanced to third on Richard Paulino’s double. 

   Acuna kept the Manatees quiet for 3 1/3 innings, but Max Johnson led off the fifth with a home run to left for a 7-3 lead. 

   The Tigres got a run back in the bottom half as Andres Rodriguez doubled, went to third on an errant pickoff attempt by Wood, and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Espino, his third RBI of the game and it was back to a three run deficit at 7-4. 

   Wilson Ciprian held the Manatees scoreless for three innings, allowing only a single by Campbell.  However, the Manatees got an unearned run off him in the 9th on a two base throwing error,  a groundout and wild pitch.  A frustrating inning for the Tigers should have ended with a passed ball on a third strike pitch to Dave Gariepy.  The pitch forced catcher Bruno to leave the game with a swollen thumb, Gariepy was safe at first, but Ciprian finally got out of it when Campbell flied out to center field with the bases loaded. 

   Fitzimmons gave up only two hits and no runs in three innings, with two strikeouts, to earn a save. 

   Max Johnson with an infield hit and a homer, Campbell with two hits and an RBI, and Wood, with a two run single led the Manatees.

    Espino led the top seeded Tigres with two hits and three RBIs.   Arroyo and Acuna also had two hits each.    

   Wood, whose pro career saw him pitch in the majors with the Florida (now Miami) Marlins,  was selected as the championship game’s Most Valuable Player.     

Blue Jays 7 Industriales 2

   The Blue Jays scored five runs in the first three innings and Chris Saxton pitched the complete game victory to give the Jays their first league championship.  The Industriales lost their second title game of the year, having lost to the Sugar Kings in the Fall of 2011-2012.

   KJ Ventry, who went 4 for 4, led off the Blue Jays’ first with a ringing double to right field, stole third and scored on an infield roller by Khris Hanna.

   The Jays added two in the second on hits by Kevin Menschel and Aziel Shea, a sacrifice bunt by Greg Kelm, a passed ball and a sacrifice fly by Saxton. 

   Two more runs in the third made it a 5-0 game.  Ventry led this rally off as well, smashing a single up the middle and scoring on Chris Laforge’s long double to left field.  After moving to third on Hanna’s groundout, Laforge scored on a single by Barry Kent.

   The Blue Jays made it 6-0 with another run in the sixth.  Ventry led off the frame with a single, Laforge doubled down the left field line, and Menschel’s sacrifice fly scored Ventry. 

    The Industriales finally broke through against Saxton for two runs in the top of the 7th.  Jose Corea singled to right for his third hit of a four hit game.  Hector Rivera singled, moving Carea to third.  Carea took third on a fly ball to short right field caught by the Jays’ second sacker, Carlo Dominguez, and scored on Angel Javier’s RBI single.  Rivera scored an unearned run when Saxton erred in an attempt to pick off Javier at first base, but that was all the Industriales could manage.   

    Saxton wound up with nine strikeouts, and kept nine hits well scattered.  He did not walk a batter, hit Felix Armas with a pitch, but  did not allow a runner past second base until the I’s got their two run in the 7th inning.  He was selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

   The Blue Jays got their final run in the bottom of the seventh.  Kelm led off the frame with a double, and after pinch hitter Keith Buck, batting for Saxton, moved him to third, Kelm scvored on Dwayne Cabral’s deep sacrifice fly to left. 

   Ventry led all hitters with a perfect 4-for-4, a double, stolen base and three runs scored.  Laforge had two doubles. 

   Carea led the Industriales with his four hits, a stolen base, and a run scored.  He also registered four putouts in center field.  Javier had two hits and drove in one run for the I’s, who came into the tournament as the number five seed.  The Blue Jays were #3. 

   Laforge was playing his final game in the Palm Beach League before moving back to Dutchess County, New York.