Alpine-West Menlo Little League report Alpine-West Menlo Little League report (May 19, 2004)

By Lynne McClure
Alpine Little League staff

Professional Insurance (Pros) played three close games in the Menlo Park Alpine-West Menlo Little League, but remained undefeated as of Saturday, May 15.

On Tuesday at La Entrada, Home Field Advantage came out swinging and hit the ball hard, but was unable to score. For the Pros, Patrick McNamara hit two doubles and pitched two innings in the 4-0 shutout. Will Cabral caught a fly in center with his glove arm stretched and body on the turf.

On Thursday at Ford Field, third-place Peak Performance had the Pros down 4-2 in the fifth inning, but the Pros ralled to win 5-4.

On Saturday morning at Ford Field the Pros faced second-place Hengehold for the second time in two weeks. In the first inning Hengehold pitcher Tim Romley led off with a ground-rule double over the center field fence, but the Pros Noah Sheikh pitched his way out of a bases-loaded and no-outs situation to prevent a score. In the bottom of the first, Sam McClure hit an RBI single to put the Pros on the board but the rally was over quickly when shortstop Jason Cortella made a diving catch behind third base to rob Patrick McNamara of a hit. The score held at 1-0 until the bottom of the third when Pros rallied behind Phil Mayer's double to the fence to score two runs. Hengehold held the Pros to three runs on great defense as Alex Peyser made a sliding catch in center field of a sharply hit ball by Adam Zuckerman. Hengehold threatened in the fifth, but another great catch in center field, this time by Tucker Jorgenson of the Pros took the 3-0 game into the top of the sixth. Tim Romley led with a hit for Hengehold, but it was Jason Cortella's blooper close to the foul line behind first base that he ran for a double, scoring Romley, which fired a rally. Hengehold scored again, but finished the at bat with two runs for a final game score of 3-2.

Partner's Alex Baloff hit a 2-run home run last week. Alex is the league leader with 3 home runs for the season, including a grand slam.

The week ends with the Pros in first at 12-0-1 and Hengehold in second at 8-5-0. The three teams tied for third at 7-6-0 are Morey's, Peak Performance and Stanford Park Hotel.

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