UCSSL 2014 PLAYOFF RESULTS
50’s Division
First Round for Week of August 10, 2014
Linda’s Driftwood #2 10, DeBellis Associates 6
After DeBellis jumped out to a 4 run lead, Linda's charged back, supported by a good pitching effort by Pat LoPiccolo, 4 hits by Rich Kern and 3 hits by Mo Fernandez, Doc Black and O’Neil Thomas.
Linwood Inn 25, Liberty Lighting Group 14
In a slugfest where 6 or more runs were scored in 4 different innings, The Taproom closed the gap to 16 to 14 in the 4th inning behind a ten run barrage and held on, allowing only 3 more scores by LLG while adding 9 runs in the last 2 innings.  For Linwood, Steve Lerner, Mike DiRienzo, Mac Kowaleski and Nickie Mennona had 4 hits apiece. Jim Sydlo, Jack Helfrich and Brian Schaefer added 3 hits each. Leading the LLG offense were Tom Ulichny 4 for 5, Jeff Maglietta 4 for 4, and Willie Jackson going 4 for 4 with 3 run HR.
Contact Lens & Vision 16, Top Line Appliance 13
In another slugfest, CL&V prevailed. The Lensmen were led by Brian Latham with 3 hits including a home run. Solo Meola, Pete Byer, Anthony Miccio, Bernie Maguire, Dave Rothenberg and Jeff Balish each contributed 2 hits.  The Top Liners, with a 25 hit attack, had Don Montefusco with 4 hits while Greg Hartnett, filling in for pitcher Bob Greco, had 3 hits.
AJ Jersey 7, Rosie’s Wine Bar 6
For Rosie's, Pete Osborn and Anthony Abbaleo had 3 hits apiece, and Steve Falco, Rich Conklin and Joe Hrubash added 2 hits each to support pitcher  Mike Garcia, who  pitched a great game in a losing cause.
First Round for Week of August 17, 2014
AJ Jersey 10, Rosie’s Wine Bar 9
After being down 9 to 3, AJ Jersey charged back and won the game in the home half of the 8th inning.  Mark Marotta led the charge for the victors with a 5 for 5 day including 2 home runs and 3 RBIs. Leo White also collected 5 hits and 2 RBIs while Pat Keenoy had 4 hits and 2 RBIs.  Mike Rosenberg had 3 hits and 2 RBIs and Jordan Scher had 3 hits including a triple. Dave Ciarrocca made several great plays at short and Howard Greco had a clutch catch at the plate to nail the runner attempting to score. For Rosie's, Steve Falco had 3 hits, Pete Osborn, Rich Conklin and Joe Hrubash had 2 hits apiece. Paul Newton and Bill Moore each had 2 RBIs. AJ takes the series 2 games to 0. 
Top Line Appliance 15, Contact Lens & Vision 14
In a thriller that had Top Line plating 5 runs in the 6th to go ahead by 6, CLV scored 7 times in the top of the 7th to take the lead. But The Top Liners came back in the bottom of the frame when Whitey McCormack singled in 2 runs to earn the win.  For the victors, who banged out 25 hits, winning pitcher Bob Greco had 4 hits while Greg Hartnett and Duck Ball each had 3.  Big hits from Joe Cittadino, Tom DeRocco and Rory Caldwell spurred on the offense. The Lensmen were led by Solo Meola, Pete Byer and Slope Rzewuski with 3 hits each. Brian Latham and Bob Beiner also contributed with 2 clutch hits apiece.  This best of 3 games series is tied at 1 game each.
Linda’s Driftwood Bar #2 8, DeBellis Associates 7
After the victors jumped out to a 5 run lead, DeBellis charged back only to have the game end with a great Willie Schumate throw from right center forcing the runner at second base.  Linda’s takes the series 2 games to 0. 
Linwood Inn 7, Liberty Lighting Group 3
Linwood was sparked by Mike DiRienzo going 3 for 3, while Jack Helfrich, Steve Lerner and Jim Sydlo added 2 hits each. With the Barmen leading 4 to 3 in the bottom of the 6th frame, Mac Kowaleski drove in 2 runs with a clutch single to increase the lead. For LLG, Denis Vuono had 3 hits while Don Miller, Dan Nigro and Dave McFall contributed 2 hits apiece.  Linwood takes the series 2 games to 0.
Second Round for Week of August 24, 2014
Awnings Galore 6, Linda’s Driftwood Bar #2 3
Awnings hitters were led by Frank D'Antico, Randy Tarnofsky and Neil Granstrand, each 3 for 3 with 1 RBI. Pat LoPiccolo pitched a great game for the Barmen.  Awnings lead semifinal series 1 game to 0.
Cranford VFW 13, AJ Jersey 2
Cranford scored 4 runs in the first inning and never looked back.  For The VFW, Billy Hinkle and Bob Ghiretti went 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI each. Frank Verducci, Mark McGlynn and Phil McGovern were all 2 for 3 for the victors.  Cranford VFW leads the semifinal series 1 game to 0.
Contact Lens & Vision 16, Top Line Appliance 15
In a seesaw battle that went down to the final out, CL&V prevailed. The Lensmen were led by Kerry Gelb with a perfect 4 for 4 night including 2 long homers and a triple. Also contributing were Bob Beiner, 3 for 3 with a triple and Anthony Miccio and Brian Latham who each homered. Miccio also shook off some early wildness and pitched a gem.  The Top Liners were led by Ron Kulik, Duck Ball and Whitey McCormack each with 3 hits.  Joe Cittadino, Greg Hartnett and Joe Viso added 2 hits each.  Don Montefusco dislocated his shoulder in first inning but is doing fine.  Contact Lens & Vision takes series 2 games to 1.
Cranford VFW 16, AJ Jersey 10
In a very exciting game, The VFW came from behind in the late innings to tie the score at the end of regulation. Cranford scored 6 times in the 8th to earn the victory.   For The VFW, Carl Gamba (3 RBIs, Pat Ahern (2 RBIs) and Bob Ghiretti were all 4 for 5. Also for Cranford, Phil McGovern was 3 for 4 and Frank Verducci went 2 for 4 (4 RBIs). For AJ, Paul Scheuermann had 4 hits and  David Rizzo had 3 hits. Cranford VFW takes the semifinal series 2-0.
Deegan Roofing 11, Linwood Inn 7
Deegan survived a 7 run 2nd inning by Linwood to hold on to an opening game semifinal playoff victory.  Joe Massimino, John Garced and Marty Marks all contributed 3 hits apiece for Deegan.  Pitcher Gary Pence hurled six shutout innings in the victory. For The Taproom, Mac Kowaleski was 4 for 4, Mike DiRienzo, Joseph Adase and Brian Schaefer added a pair of hits each. Deegan Roofing leads the semifinal series 1 game to 0. 
Linda’s Driftwood Bar #2 6, Awnings Galore 5
Winning pitcher Pat LoPiccolo not only pitched a great game, he fielded his position well and contributed 2 hits to Linda’s offense. Mike Kovach led the Awnings counterattack with a 3 for 3 night and 2 RBIs while Dave Kirsch was also 3 for 3.  The semifinal series is tied 1 game each.