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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 9, 2004, UPDATED : The Texas Thunder’s  catcher Ryan Realmuto was anticipating inside corner location from Nauts in-trouble starter Gina Oaks on a 3-2 count in the first. Realmuto guessed right. She exploded on Oaks’ inside pitch, her bat creating the “DOYINGGGG”  sound which in Fastpitch means Going…going…gone and gone it was.

OAKS DELIVERS INTO THE WHEELHOUSE: It’s 3 and 2 to Ryan Realmuto, Texas catcher in the first inning. Kristen Zaleski leads from first, Liz Bouck from second as Gina Oaks delivers the homerun pitch.  The high far and deep blast hugged the left field line. Venus Taylor turned and headed to the corner, watching the majestic arch of the ball as it sailed almost in agonizing slow motion into the shrubbery behind the 10 foot high Trace Adams U.S.A. sign about 5 feet fair. 3-run homer. The Nauts were down 3-0 last night before the sun went down. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

“The Southpaw Shooter”, Lindsay Chouinard took the circle and continued her Naut dominance, not allowing a Naut to reach second base, throwing her third shutout on the Juggernaut this season, 5-0  mathematically eliminating Naut hopes of finishing first.

 

The double defeat dropped the Nauts 2-1/2 games behind Akron for second place with 8 to play, when Akron beat California on the West Coast last night. It is likely that Akron and the Nauts will meet in the first round of the playoffs, unless Texas completely collapses against New England and California.

FIRST GAME BUMMER: Kaci Clark mops up in completion of suspended game, pitching to Serena Collins of the Thunder from July 25 in the late afternoon Monday. The Nauts went 9 and out, and the Thunder won this opening game 6-0. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

After Sunday’s great win, the electricity appeared gone as this second game started. Jen Carlo in the press box commented that completing the first game might have had something to do with that.

 

The Nauts and Thunder completed their suspended game necessitated by two hours of Houston showers July 25.  The Nauts expired in  45 minutes beginning at 5:30 P.M. with Peaches James of the Thunder retiring nine Nauts in a row in the 5^th, 6th and 7^th innings to preserve the 6-0 Thunder lead amassed against Kaci Clark in Houston two weeks ago. That win dropped the Nauts 3-1/2 off the Thunder first place pace.

 

The plan was to win the second game behind Oaks, close the gap back to 2-1/2 but Chouinard did not let that happen.

 

Who IS this Kid, Bouck?

 

The Texas Jackrabbit is a menace.

 

The Jackrabbit did it again to the Nauts last night. Liz Bouck did it again by leading off the regularly scheduled game. She beat out her third bunt single in her last 4 at-bats on the Nauts. They know she’s going to bunt. They have 8 players playing the infield. Yet, Bouck still beats them out and is hitting .279 in the league. Bouck says she’s going to keep bunting until the league can throw her out.  

 

 

THE BOUCK SHIFT: The Juggernaut deploy Paul Plemenos’ “Bouck Shift.” Infielders Carri Leto at second and shortstop Lyndsey Klein play inside the base paths to protect against the Baltimore Chop. Pasquerella at third and Erica Hansen at first within conversational distance to snatch up the bunt. Liz Bouck still beat outs bunts. Note position of the outfielder, Venus Taylor 10 feet off the dirt of the infield. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Jackie Pasquerella is on top of the plate, but Bouck is so fast she beats them out anyway.  Gardner next up sacrificed Bouck to second. Then Oaks walked Kristen Zaleski on another 3-2 count. She then went 3-2 to Realmuto with two balls being I mean right around the plate. Then Oaks threw inside and Realmuto guessing right, launched the pitch over the left field fence.

 

Rattled, Oaks hit Ginger Jones-Powers and Clare Burnam in succession.

 

But, this being fastpitch softball nobody charged the mound, or got upset. Then, too late, Oaks fanned  Steph Ramos and  Amanda Buchholtz to retire the side.

 

 

The Thunder Bunt Torture Continues in the 2nd.

 

Oaks troubles continued in the second frame. She fanned Erin Evans, but that Bouck girl, who is hitting .279, this time worked a walk on another 3-2 count. Gina could not seem comfortable tonight.

 

Lindsay Gardner then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt that waltzed slowly down the foul line. Third Sacker Pasquerella watched it spin, but it would not go foul. A bunt single. There were runners on first and second. Oaks enticed Kristen Zaleski to foul out to Erica Hansen the firstbaser outside first and was within an out of controlling the damage and keeping the Nauts within striking distance of Chouinard.

 

It was not to be.

 

Realmuto up again with two on smacked one hard on the ground on a 1-1 pitch to Jackie Pasquerella between the mound and the third base line. Jackie had it pop out of her glove, then rifled it to first, too late. But to compound the felony, Erica Hansen playing first with Oaks pitching let the ball go through her glove down the line, and the alert, ever pesky Liz Bouck, having reached third, scored. 4-0.

 

Next up Ginger Jones-Powers dumped a single in front of Kellie Wilkerson playing deep in right to send Realmuto over with the 5^th run.

 

40 Miles of Bad Road.

 

Oaks had faced 16 hitters in two innings of work, allowed 4 hits, one a homer, hit two batters, walked  3 (2 of whom scored) on 3-2 counts, and had given up 5 runs, 4 earned. As Bob Murphy would say, she faced “40 miles of bad road.”

 

Juggernaut  Killer.

 

 

Meanwhile, Lindsay Chouinard sailed along, not striking out the Nauts, but getting them to hit outs, something the statuesque southpaw does very well. Chouinard retired the first 7 on 4 groundouts, 2 flies and a K, before allowing a bloop hit to the opposite field to Courtney Scott.

 

 

Then she retired 14 of the last 16 Naut batters on 9 grounders and 3 flies, if my scorecard is correct. It was Chouinard’s fourth win over the Nauts this season, in which she has allowed them 1 run in 28 innings. She beat them 2-0 in Houston, June 10; 3-1 in Montclair on July 7, and 7-0 July 24 in Houston.  Chouinard did not allow a Naut to reach second base tonight. Chouinard who is 10-5, is 6-5 with the rest of the league, and 4-0 against the Nauts.

 

Winning With No Fastball.

 

WPNCR caught up with “Shoot” (as she is called by her teammates) after the game and asked her thoughts about the game.

 

She said the 3 run homer took a load off: “Yeah, it was a good game. I got my three runs early, and  just try and shut ‘em down after that. Runners on base minimal.”

 

“SHOOT”: Lyndsey Chouinard,  Long Tall Lefty who shoots the corners, icing her southpaw after the game.  Photo by WPCNR Sports 

 

WPCNR asked what was working for her tonight. (She threw pitches that looked tantalizing and dazzled with movement.)

 

SHOOT ready to draw.  Clare Burnam is the third baseman. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

Shoot Swings to the Motion, reminiscent of a lefthanded Lew Burdette. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Shoot Fires. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

“Well, I try and mix up speeds. Throw something hard. Throw something offspeed. Then throw a change. Different speeds. I think it works well.”

 

WPCNR asked if she had an overpowering fastball when she needed it, and I was surprised to learn “The Shooter” does not throw a fastball:

 

“I actually don’t throw a fastball. I throw more movement pitches. It’s more my style. I tell people I’m more like Greg Maddux (Braves Cubs corner specialist) than Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks). I’m not going to overpower. I  like to make my defense work behind me. I think it keeps them in the game better. Just move it around and keep the batters off balance. ”

 

Her battery mate Realmuto Monday night agrees. “She was awesome (tonight). She just mixed speeds real well. Kept the hitters off balance. That’s what she’s been doing all year. She doesn’t ever give anything away in the middle of the plate. She’s had big games for us.”

 

Chouinard talked about her National Pro Fastpitch season as positive: “Yeah, I’m definitely glad I did it. It’s an experience. We’re the pioneers. We’re getting the league going. It’s been a lot of fun, so we’ll see how the end goes.”

 

Chouinard still thinks anything can happen, noting the Thunder has one more with the Nauts Tuesday night in Montclair, then plays New England for 3 and Sacramento for 5 games.

 

Realmuto Reality.

 

WPCNR asked Ryan Realmuto about the pitch she hit off Oaks for the big blow:

 

“I was lookin’ in.  She threw the pitch inside. I just took her over left field, “ was how Ryan explained it. WPCNR asked about how she developed her distinctive low crouch that launched tonight’s opening inning rocket.

 

Ryan Realmuto. The Thunder Tonight. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

“When I was a kid, I had a problem with lunging so I just opened up a little bit, widened out, and took a step away. I’ve had it since I was 10 years old. It makes me shorter to the ball.”

 

WPCNR asked how the Thunder (which entertained themselves between games by playing pepper with a sock, trying to keep it in the air to the  music by kicking it with their feet to each other),  stayed so loose after last night’s tough loss. (Before they shook hands last night after their 5-3 loss with the Juggernaut at the plate,  they came together as a team right after they had lost and did the all-for-one-huddle.)

 

“With as many games as we play in the summer, “ Realmuto said, “you got to put those kind of losses behind you. That’s what we did. Came out today and hit the ball good.”

 

Asked if the mosquitos in New Jersey were as bad as the mosquitos in Houston, Realmuto laughed out loud and said, “I think they’re worse., but the humidity’s better (in New Jersey).”

 

Realmuto is positive on her first NPF season: “It’s been a good year. A fun summer. I’m glad I did it. It’s been exciting. I got to meet good people. It’s been fun.”

 

Kaci Clark mopped up for the Nauts, relieving Oaks in the fifth. Oaks  (10-8) came through big for the Nauts in June when the Juggernaut were trying to replace Michele Smith in their rotation, but has struggled in her last two outings against Akron and Texas, surrendering 11 runs in 7 innings.

 

JUGGERNAUT Action on Pro Sports Radio. Final Home Game Tuesday Night.

 

The Juggernaut play their final home game of 2004 Tuesday evening in Montclair at the Little Ball Park on Campus, Montclair State University Softball Stadium. Gametime is 7:35 P.M. Tickets are available.

 

The Juggernaut finish the season in Arizona and Sacramento. Two of the Juggernaut games in Arizona will be internetcast around the world on Pro Sports Radio, August 16 and 18th at 10:35 P.M. E.D.T.

 

Getting Nautical.

 

No Playoff Home Games. Are you Kidding?

 

It has been decided by the National Pro Fastpitch league to hold all playoff games in Akron, Ohio to avoid excessive travel costs by New England, the Juggernaut, and the Thunder. The Schedule.

 

Semifinals Round (Best-of-three)
August 25, 2004
Game #1 – Second Place Team vs. Third Place Team @ 6 p.m. E.D.T.
Game #2 – First Place Team  vs. Fourth Place Team  @ 8 p.m.  E.D.T.

August 26, 2004
Game #3 – Second Place Team vs. Third Place Team @ 6 p.m.
Game #4 – First Place Team vs. Fourth Place Team  @ 8 p.m.

August 27, 2004 (if necessary)
Game #5 – Second Place Team vs.Third Place Team @ 6 p.m.
Game #6 – First Place Team vs. Fourth Place Team @ 8 p.m.

Championship Series (Best-of-three)
August 28, 2004
Game #7 – No. 1/No. 4 series winners vs. No. 2/No. 3 series winner @ 7 p.m.

August 29, 2004
Game #8 – No. 1/No. 4 series winners vs. No. 2/No. 3 series winner @ 4 p.m.
Game #9 – No. 1/No. 4 series winners vs. No. 2/No. 3 series winner @ 6 p.m. (if necessary)

Fans can purchase tickets now by calling the Akron Racers ticket office at 330-376-8188.

Tickets for the entire series (Playoffs and Championships) can be purchased for:

• $40 for adults
• $35 for seniors
• $20 for student/youth

Individual game tickets are also available:

• $10 for adult
• $8 for seniors
• $5 for student/youth

The Radisson Hotel City Centre has been chosen as the official hotel of the NPF Playoffs and Championships. Reservations can be made by calling 330-384-1500 or by visiting the hotel website (www.radisson.com).

NPF Playoff and Championship apparel & collectibles will be available at Firestone Stadium throughout all the playoff games.

The playoffs will be internet-broadcast on ProSports Radio. Juggernaut management is disappointed they could not host the playoffs in Montclair.

 

ESPN to telecast Thursday Night Softball next Season.

 

WPCNR has also learned from the Juggernaut General Manager, Rick Perrotty that ESPN, the sports television network, has signed a contract with National Pro Fastpitch to televise a National Pro Fastpitch Game of the Week on Thusday evenings.

 

YES Wants More of a Piece of the Nauts.

The New York Yankees network YES is also interested in televising many more Juggernaut games in 2005, Perrotty said. Ratings were not available from the national YES network today at the ballpark, but Perrotty estimates Sunday night’s telecast was seen by 500,000 homes.

 

The National Pro Fastpitch Standings   August 10, 2004.

 

	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	AWAY
Texas Thunder	36	15	0.706	–	18-5	18-10
Akron Racers	34	17	0.667	2	18-8	15-9
NY/NJ Juggernaut	32	20	0.615	4.5	20-8	12-12
New England Riptide	21	31	0.404	15.5	11-12	10-19
Arizona Heat	17	34	0.333	19.0	10-18	7-16
California Sunbirds	14	37	0.280	21.5	9-16	5-20

 

Monday Results

Texas 6, NY-NJ Juggernaut 0 (1),

Texas 5, NY-NJ Juggernaut 0 (2)

Arizona 7, New England 3

Akron 4  California 2, (Late)

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WPCNR SOUTHEND SENTINEL. From Council of Neighborhood Associations. August 9, 2004: The Council of Neighborhood Associations announces its monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, August 10 at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane, up for discussion will be “local association issues,” an airing of “taxi concerns in the city” and “possible actions to be taken by the Common Council.”

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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. By John F. Bailey. With National Amusements. August 9, 2004, UPDATED 11:45 P.M. E.D.T.:  IMAX cinema magic will be coming to the City Center Cinema de Lux in November and is expected to premier with the showing of The Polar Express. Construction on the new state-of-the-art theatre will begin shortly at Cinema de Lux and is planned to open in November, 2004 according to National Amusements. Details of where the theatre will be located in the City Center have not  been disclosed, though a National Amusements spokesperson is saying no new construction is involved.

 The news came in a national press release announcing that  IMAX Corporation and National Amusements Inc.,  have completed a  multiple theatre deal to install as many as 18 IMAX® theatre systems over the next several years, including an IMAX MP theatre system at White Plains own Cinema de Lux.

City Hall was unaware of the deal when called at 10 this morning. 

Cappelli Enterprises, owners of the City Center were contacted for details. Bruce Berg, Vice President of Cappelli Enterprises speaking to WPCNR said it was “an unsubtantiated rumor, we’re not talking to them. ”

Jennifer McGuire Hansen, spokesperson for National Amusements in a message to WPCNR confirmed the addition of IMAX to the City Center de Lux. She said the De Lux is being equipped with the technology “to view new IMAX first run films,  it is not a new IMAX auditorium.  it is IMAX technology that will enable patrons to view new IMAX first run films using IMAX technology. It’s pretty neat and White Plains is one of 4 new locations we announced.  I wanted to make that distinction. It is not calling for new construction. “

A spokesman for IMAX in New York told WPCNR in an interview that the new theatre will house a screen 70 x 40 feet, and will be “retrofitted”  into one of the existing Cinema de Lux theatres at a cost of $1.4 Million. The spokesperson said the White Plains IMAX would be ready to  premier the new IMAX 2004 holiday extravaganza, The Polar Express, and would feature multichannel digital sound and be capable of showing new general theatre pictures that are being released in the IMAX format.

 

 

IMAX currently operates a IMAX MPX theatre in New Roc City, the development formerly owned by Cappelli Enterprises in New Rochelle.

 Under the specific terms of the deal, National Amusements will install 4 IMAX MPX® theatre systems in 2004 and 2 additional systems in 2005 or 2006. As part of the deal, the parties reached agreement on terms under which National Amusements may purchase up to 12 additional systems, predominantly in the United Kingdom, beginning next year, as an integral part of National Amusements’ development plans in that market. National Amusements currently operates the IMAX Theatre at The Bridge Cinema de Lux at The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center in West Los Angeles.

The deal signals an important milestone for IMAX in the implementation of its commercial theatre growth strategy, which uses the combination of its proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technology to bring major Hollywood event films to the IMAX theatre network, and the IMAX MPX theatre system technology to drive signings and installations.

The first four IMAX theatres will be located at City Center 15: Cinema de Lux in White Plains, New York; Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills, near Hartford, Connecticut; Showcase Cinemas Stonybrook, in Louisville, Kentucky; and Showcase Cinemas Springdale, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and are expected to open in November 2004, in time for the IMAX® 3D release of the Warner Bros. Pictures holiday film The Polar Express. The specific locations for the 2005-6 installations have not yet been determined, however, one of the theatres is likely to be located in the United Kingdom. All 18 potential IMAX theatres will utilize the revolutionary new IMAX MPX technology, which was designed specifically for multiplex operators, enabling them to add an IMAX theatre to a new or existing multiplex in a more cost effective and timely manner.

“National Amusements is committed to providing our patrons the ultimate movie going experience. We are excited to be partnering with IMAX and feel that its new DMR technology is consistent with a number of things we are working on throughout our circuit. Our new Cinema de Lux brand, our focus on alternative entertainment and this new IMAX technology we are now introducing will ensure that our patrons have an entertainment experience that is unrivalled elsewhere,” stated Shari E. Redstone, president, National Amusements, Inc.

“We are extremely pleased to expand our relationship with National Amusements, one of the most forward-looking exhibitors in the world,” said IMAX’s Co-Chairmen and Co-CEO’s, Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “This multiple theatre commitment from National Amusements confirms our belief in the potential of IMAX theatres in commercial multiplexes and further advances our commercial strategy. The strong interest from National Amusements and other top multiplex theatre operators should help us attract even more digitally re-mastered Hollywood event films, which, in turn, can help us grow the IMAX network around the world.”

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 9, 2004: In a pressure cooker of a game before 1,011 fans and a YES Network audience, the New York New Jersey Juggernaut overcame a 3-0 deficit and drew within 2-1/2 games of the Texas Thunder with a 5-3 victory in Montclair State University Softball Stadium Sunday night. Carri “Lightning” Leto tied the game and Lauren Bauer won it with back-to-back 2 out singles in the sixth, giving Amazing Amanda Scott her 13^th victory against 6 losses to lead the league.

BLONDES RULE THE WORLD: Amazing Amanda Scott (13-6) about to retire her 13th straight Thunder batter to end the Juggernaut come-from-behinder win against Texas Sunday night in Montclair. Scotty rose to the occasion. Kept her club in the game and they came back to win. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Peaches James started for the Thunder and both she and Amanda Scott, Nauts starter had big problems with the plate umpire, Victor Martinez and his stingy inconsistent strike zone. Groans, moans, and oohhs and ahhs rang out behind the homeplate screen on every call as the game moved into the third frame.

In the third, after Amanda felt she was particulary squeezed on two pitches to Liz Bouck, she engaged the man behind the mask in a discussion of the strike zone and received a warning when she did so at the close of the disasterous at the time inning. Amazing Amanda was particularly irked because his not calling two obvious bunt swings by Bouck and two corner clippers on Claire Burnam cost Amanda 3 runs.

Messing with Amanda

Amanda was cruising in the third with one out, when the Texas Jack Rabbit, Liz Bouck beat out her second bunt on Spiderwoman Jaclyn Pasquerrella ( Naut third sacker) on an eyelash play at first.Then Lindsey Gardiner Baltimore-chopped a bloop to shortstop Lindsey Klein who shorthopped it, but did not have a play at first. Two on.

 

Kristen Zaleski then hit a ball sharply right to Lindsey who might have been distracted by Bouck running in front of her as she tried to make the play, thinking third base, but instead the ball hit off Klein’s glove for an error and scooted past her into shallow left. The fleet Bouck raced home to make it 1-0.  Gardner went to second and Zaleski was safe at first.

 

Ump, You’re Killing Me.

 

Scott took a deep breath and induced Ryan Realmuto the cleanup woman to foul to Amanda’s  batterymate sister Courtney Scott. Two out. Only 1-0. Maybe we can get out of this.  Clare Burnam was next up. And Amanda’s problems with the plate umpire flared up. With the count 1-1, Amanda shot in two very close pitches that were called balls on Burnam. At 3-1, Amanda had to come in with a pitch a little too good and Burnam rocketed it into the left center field alley — one hop to the running track to the Ringor sign below the scoreboard to bring home Gardner and Zaleski to make it 3-0. Amanda was steamed.

 

Scott  then surrendered another double down the line to Ginger Jones-Powers but Thunder Manager Wayne Daigle held Gardner at third (with 2 out), for some inexplicable reason, and Amanda  fanned Julie Brooks to get out of the inning, and she was to retire the next 12 Thunder batters to face her.

 

As it turned out on this wonderful Naut night, Jones-Powers was the last Thunder to reach base. On her way over to the dugout, Amanda went over to the plate umpire Victor Martinez and fans saw the umpire point his finger in her face and point to the bench. Amanda was hot, and the ump had given her a warning.

 

With the elegant, remorseless Peaches James staked to a 3-run lead in the Thunder circle, Naut aficionados were grim. That was a lot of runs to overcome in this league.

 

One at a Time.

 

In the Naut third the Juggernaut got one back as the plate umpire continued to squeeze Peaches James equally.  Courtney Scott walked. Carri Leto lined a single to right Lauren Bauer singled to left to load the bases with no one out. But this is Peaches James.

 

She surrendered a long foul homerun to Lyndsey Klein, then struck her out swinging. But, Jackie Pasquerella with 2 strikes on her grounded slowly to first to score Jen Smith (running for Courtney Scott) with a run to make it 3-1.  James fooled Kellie Wilkerson who popped to secondbase to end the bid.

 

In the fourth, Amanda righted herself and gave her team a chance to come back, starting to set down the Thunder one batter after another.

 

Peaches is Out of There and Is Not Happy.

 

In the last of the fourth, Peaches James walked Gina Oaks to start the inning. Incredibly, Thunder Manager Wayne Daigle, not liking what he saw, proceeded to the mound for the second time on the evening and removed Peaches James, bringing in Crista Williams, the Olympic champion to pitch and a new catcher, Selena Collins.  Peaches James could not believe it. The fierce competitor was grim as she walked to Thunder bench, tight-lipped, seething.

 

Williams in relief fanned Germaine Fairchild, then walked Venus Taylor on a 3-2 pitch. During the Taylor sequence  Oaks stole second when the ball got away from new catcher Selena Collins.  Collins missed another pitch that Williams through in the dirt to the next hitter Courtney Scott, allowing Oaks to move to third. Then Courtney Scott blasted  pitch high and far into the leftfield night.

 

Play of the Night.

 

Erica Evans went back back back to the running track caught the ball over her head with two hands and fell to her back holding on to the ball. Gina Oaks tagged up and scored to make it 3-2. It was the play of the night so far and it looked as if it would stand up . Williams got Carri Leto on a grounder to third to end the inning.

 

Williams looked like the Williams that came within two errors of beating the U.S. Olympic team, in the fifth inning getting Lauren Bauer, Lyndsey Klein and Jackie Pasquerrella  1-2-3. It did not look good for the Naut nine this night.

 

But You Never Know.

 

In the sixth Kellie Wilkerson was walked on 4 pitches to lead off the inning. (Oh, those bases on balls to lead off an inning.) Gina Oaks bunted for a base hit getting the ball past the mound, and Lyndsey Gardner could not field it in time to get her at first and the tying runs were aboard for Germaine Fairchild.

 

KEY PLAY IN THE 6TH STANZA: Germaine Fairchild flying to first as Claire Burnam touches third for the force on Kellie Wilkerson, then tries for the double play at first. The first baser, Jones-Powers does not handle the throw and Gina Oaks high tails it over to third. After  Christa Williams fans Venus Taylor, Courtney Scott walks, setting up Carri Leto in the heroine’s spot. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Williams got the dangerous Ms. G to ground to thirdbaser Claire Burnam who stepped on third for the first out retiring Wilkerson, then Burnam got greedy, trying to double up Fairchild at first and Ginger Jones-Powers let the ball get by at first base allowing Oaks to reach third, with Fairchild reaching second.

 

Williams fanned Venus Taylor on a 2-2 pitch for the second out, and Courtney Scott was the hitter. In a long at-bat, Williams worked Scott to 3-2, and walked her on a very close pitch. The bases were full for Carri Leto.

 

Lightning Strikes Again.

 

Friday, Carri Leto got two key 2-out hits to beat Akron. Could she do it again on the great Williams?

 

 She quickly got behind 1-2, then with the third basemen in, Leto lashed at a low and outside pitch and drove it solidly over the head of Burnam and into the shortstop hole and it got beautifully down in the outfield grass. Once again 2-out Lightning delivered  to send Gina Oaks home with the equalizer to make it 3-3, with Fairchild moving to third and the stands were loving it.

 

THE WHITE PLAINS EXPLOSION WAS AT THE GAME: Larry Giordano, left, Greg Zaccaria, Dom Sputo and Jo Bellantoni and the White Plains 14 and 12-Under teams were at the game. The Explosion’s shrill, never-let-up-softball cheers for the Nauts “Rip it Carri, Rip It.”  when the Nauts were trying to rally were heard loud and clear on the YES Network telecast. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Leto has gotten three huge hits for the Nauts with two out  in the last two games, and this was no easy task for “Lightning.”

 

On the first pitch to centerfielder Lauren Bauer back at the top of the order Bauer hit a smash up the middle at the pitcher. Christa Williams deflected it with a desperate bending stab  to the second baseman Gardner who could not handle it. Fairchild scored the go-ahead run with Scott and Leto moving to third and second. Joy in Montclair and the Naut dugout as the Nauts led incredibly, 4-3.

 

The Thunder was unravelling now. Lyndsey Klein smashed a routine grounder to shortstop Amanda Buchholtz who simply butchered it and Courtney Scott scored to make it 5-3.

 

YOU DON’T MESS WITH AMANDA: Wrapping it up. Amanda Scott with 2 dead in the seventh is about to induce Liz Bouck to bunt to Jaclyn Pasquerrella at third who will gun the rabbit down for the final out. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Amanda Scott finished strong in the seventh to notch win number 13. She only fanned two, but her rising to the occasion and retiring 13 in a row was money pitching.

 

The final out was most satisfying as The Texas Jack Rabbitt  Liz Bouck laid one down again, challenging Spiderwoman (Jaclyn Pasquerrella at third) for a third time. This time Pasquerella  threw a speeding bullet to Oaks at first. OUT! Game Over. The—a Nauts Win!

 

This was the second biggest win of the Nauts season and drew them within 2-1/2 games of the Thunder. The other win was the 27-inning victory over New England in June.

 

What They Were Saying.

 

Manager and Owner Paul Plemenos, hanging out with about 200 fans outside the stadium after the game, said, “It was unbelievable. Unbelievable. The girls played great, never say die. We’re peaking, as I told you, we’re peaking going into this. We are really looking great.”

 

Asked about what he told Carri Leto going into the key at bat, Plemenos commented, “I said make her throw strikes to you. She’s been missing the strike zone. You’ve got a small strike zone. Make her come into you with one you can drive, hopefully pull one. But she struck it between  Burnam and Buchholtz in the 5-6 hole.”

 

Lightning Smiles.

 

WPCNR talked with 2-Out Lightning (Carri Leto), and asked her to take us through the big tying at-bat: “I was in the hole 1 and 2, so I just needed to battle. The strike zone was a little erratic tonight, so any pitch that was close I had to swing at it. I got a good one and it worked.”

 

Lightning Leto. Photo, Courtesy New York/New Jersey Juggernaut.

 

 

 

Leto said she took a low and outside pitch to the opposite field. “When I first came in, I wanted to wait until she (Williams) threw a strike because she was more wild tonight than she usually is.”

 

Asked if this tying hit was one of the more memorable hits of her career, she smiled (and she has the whitest teeth in sports, ladies and gentlemen):  “It’s pretty good. It was in front of a big crowd tonight. They’ve been so loyal. We have the same fans come out for every game. They say things “when you got that hit, I couldn’t scream I was so excited.” That feels great because they’ve been supporting us all year, so getting the big hit in one of the final home games felt really good.”

 

Centerfielder (No. 24)  Lauren Bauer who had two hits tonight, including the game winner up the middle, attributed her hits to the live batting practice the team has been getting from new BP pitcher, Bill  before the game:

 

“I love it. He will  just pitch and pitch and pitch and you don’t have to worry about his arm or anything. That was great. We pitch to ourselves, but  I feel guilty when our regular pitchers pitch batting practice. They need to save their arms for the game, so this was great. No guilt. No guilt batting practice!”

 

WPCNR asked Amazing Amanda Scott what happened out there between her and the home plate umpire. Scott told it like she pitches, straight at you:

AMAZING AMANDA SCOTT, signing autographs for young fans after the game. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

“After the fateful third, I think we settled in  because I don’t think they got many hits after that, we played great defense, and we just kept plugging away. We settled in with the umpire. He was squeezing real tight there for both teams. I was starting making better pitches and we made great plays.”

 

Asked about her little discussion in front of the dugout with the plate umpire, Scott smiled, taking time out from autographs, and said, “I just went up and tried to ask him, you know, if he could establish a consistent strike zone. That team (The Thunder) is a very good offensive team, and he missed some big pitches in a big moment. So I just asked him to get consistent here.”

 

WPCNR asked The Great Scott about her thoughts on the season, and Scott glowed, “It’s been great. This is a great market to play in. I’ve really had a great time.The fans are amazing. This franchise is wonderful. The girls I’ve met outstanding athletes. It’s been a great ride so far. I think if we keep playing like we are now, we’re peaking at the right time.We’ve gotten some big wins against the top two teams right now, and if we can pull off the number one seed that would be great. I think we’re playing great ball right at the right time.”

 

The ride continues Monday night at Montclair State University Softball Stadium when the Nauts make up a suspended game with the Thunder at 5:30, resuming the game in the fourth inning, trailing 6-0, then play the Thunder in the regularly scheduled game at 7: 30 P.M. The Nauts trail Texas by 2-1/2 games with 10 to play, (2 will get done tomorrow), and trail Akron by a game for second place.

 

 Role Models and Players Who Want to Be Them Stand for God Bless America. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

The National Pro Fastpitch Standings August 9, 2004

 

	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	AWAY
Texas Thunder	34	15	0.694	–	17-5	17-10
Akron Racers	33	17	0.660	1.5	18-8	15-9
NY/NJ Juggernaut	32	18	0.640	2.5	20-7	12-11
New England Riptide	21	30	0.412	14.0	11-12	10-18
Arizona Heat	16	34	0.320	18.5	9-18	7-16
California Sunbirds	14	36	0.280	20.5	9-16	5-20

SUNDAY RESULTS

NY-NJ Juggernaut 5, Texas 3

Akron 4, California 3

New England 5, Arizona 1

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 8, 2004: The first place Texas Thunder visits the New York New Jersey Juggernaut tonight in Montclair, New Jersey, leading the Juggernaut by 3-1/2 games. With 10 games to play, the Nauts need to win all three games, tonight Monday and Tuesday at 7:35 P.M.. This is the final regular season homestand of the season for the Juggernaut. They finish the season with three in Sacremento and three in Arizona, and are hopeful that Akron and Texas will stumble if they take care of business against the Thunder. 

NY-NJ Juggernaut Owner, Paul Plemenos at Friday’s Akron-Juggernaut game. Whether the Juggernaut finish first or second in the NPF it’s been a interesting season for their owner, Paul Plemenos who now is living every man’s dream, owning and managing a big league ball club in a pennant race and pioneering professional softball. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

“Yeah, it is every man’s dream,” Plemenos told WPCNR after Friday afternoon’s win against Akron.  “Beyond that the team responds well and we’ve got a great understanding with one another. And when I step  on the field, I’m no longer the owner, I’m just the coach. And, when I step off the field, I go back to being the owner again. It’s really been great.”

Asked about tonight’s series with Texas, and if the Juggernaut was ready for their big three pitchers of Peaches James, Lindsay Chouinard and Chista Williams, Plemenos said, “I think that we are, especially in the last two games against Akron, we went 1-2 but we really dominated Akron the last nine innings of play, the last two innings of Thursday’s game and all seven innings Friday. It was total and utter domination. We just weren’t ready to play in the first game, and that showed a little bit and hey, everybody has those days.”

Juggernauts celebrate 3-0 Win over Akron Friday. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

“We are ready to face Texas.  They’re a big challenge for us, but we’re ready, we took  2 out of 3  from them last time they were and we play very strongly at home.We’re excited for it.”

Plemenos was enthusiastic about the support the Juggernaut have been receiving at the Little Ball Park on Campus, Montclair State University Softball Stadium: “The crowds have been decent and certainly very enthusiastic. We don’t get the biggest crowd in the afternoon, but our evening games are very packed. Our YES game (Sunday night’s game with Texas) we have great  advance sale for that and we always have very strong walkup sales. I am very pleased, the next three games should be very good gates.”