Game Recaps

AVB 1 - St John's 3
On a cool June night — no rain, no intense heat, no humidity — AVB traveled to Leech Field to play St. John’s in another hotly contested game, which was won by St. John’s 3-1. Partly as the result of a botched pick-off attempt, AVB jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. From there, AVB starting pitcher Mike Dukovich held St. John’s to just 3 runs, somewhat the result of outstanding defensive plays behind him. With two St. John’s runners on base and two out in the bottom of the fifth, a St. John’s batter crushed a pitch to straight-away center field, the real estate patrolled by AVB Captain “Steve-O” Long. Reminiscent of the “THE CATCH” made by Willie Mays on September 29, 1954, during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians at the Polo Grounds in New York, Steve-O made a spectacular over-the-head catch while running away from the plate. Unfortunately for AVB, two offensive rallies were cut short by hard-hit, line-drive double plays. On a brighter note, there was a substantial fan turnout by loyal fans of AVB, which now stands at 2-3, with games versus CIT and Elliott slated for this coming weekend.

Game Postponed due to rain

AVB 10 - CIT 0
Something must have been in the air on freaky Friday the 13th prior to AVB taking on CIT at Meyer Middleton Field (MMF). The day began with torrential downpours, thereby making the possibility of playing the game unlikely. But the sun came out and soon the game would be ready to begin. As the team caravan traveled to MMF, we noticed that all of the streets leading to the field were closed, delaying our arrival. With a start like this, what would the game be like? Remember, it was freaky Friday the 13th. Kevin Giza, manager of AVB, started the freakiness by re-arranging the lineup. From there, it didn't take too "Long" for AVB's bats to freak CIT! “Steve-O” Long, AVB’s veteran Captain, blasted a three-run home run in the top of the first inning to put AVB on top — and they would never look back. In the top of second, third baseman J.P. Katich put the freak on CIT by following Steve-O‘s blast with one of his own. With support from other AVB batters, AVB found themselves up 8-0 after just two innings. Randy “Big Babe” Chiquellin, playing first base and batting clean- up for AVB, joined in the big blast festivities by hitting his own 3-run homer — just missing a grand slam! When “Big Babe” stepped to the plate the bases were loaded. On the pitch before the “Babe’s Big Blast,” all three base runners advanced on a passed ball by CIT’s catcher, scoring AVB shortstop Jordan Premick. Jordan chipped in on the day with two hits and two runs scored, not to mention a stellar defensive play that was worthy of an ESPN SportsCenter “play of the day”! And, for the first time in freaky franchise history, the third, fourth, and fifth batters in the AVB lineup went yard. Congratulations to these great young players — and the rest of the AVB team — for representing AVB in an exceptional manner. Steve-O Long was the winning pitcher, with Gregg Hoover who entered the game in relief. This win gets AVB back to .500.

Bethel Park 6 - AVB 5
Following a trifecta of rainouts during the second week of the 2008 season, AVB traveled to Purkey Field for a battle with Bethel Park. In a hard-fought game that saw the teams enter the tenth inning tied at 5 apiece, with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom half of the final inning the batter for Bethel Park hit a hard ground ball to the right of second baseman Nick Napolitano. On a diving, backhanded stop, Nick flipped the ball to shortstop Jordan Premick for what appeared to be the third out…and a tie in the standings. Unfortunately for AVB, the field umpire called the runner “safe” and the winning run scored. J.P. Katich was the starting pitcher for AVB. Mike Dukovich, who relieved J.P. in the top of the ninth, took the loss.

Game Postponed due to rain

Game Postponed due to rain

Game Postponed due to rain

St. John's 2 - AVB 0
Let the games begin! The competitive rivalry between AVB and St. John's continued in this second game of the young 2008 season. On a one-hitter thrown by St. John's pitcher Scott Chisholm, 2007’s league champion squeaked by AVB with a 2-0 victory. With two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, AVB's Jordan Premick connected with a solid single to right field. In his first start for AVB this season, Steve Long pitched 7 strong innings, before surrendering a 2-run homerun to St. John’s catcher Rick Satcho in the top of the 8th. Mike Dukovich pitched well in relief for AVB. But it was not enough, as AVB evened its regular-season record at 1-1. The biggest loss of the game came when newcomer Gio Suprano and Dustin Mills collided in left-center field. Gio suffered an injury to his right thumb and will be out indefinitely. Good luck Gio on a speedy recovery!

AVB 9 - CIT 1
Allegheny Valley Baseball (AVB), playing its inaugural game at John Herb Field in Ross Township — its new home field on Saturdays — routed CIT 9-1 in a season-opening victory.  J.P. Katich was the starting and winning pitcher, giving up no earned runs in 5 innings.  Seth Martin pitched well in relief of J.P.  On a new field, with some new players, this was a great way for AVB to start the season.