Isotopes Notebook: Success Starts at the Top

By JON DARLING
The Isotopes Times

The Isotopes are 2-2, have been outscored on the season and there are a lot of low numbers when looking over everyone’s batting averages.

The slow start doesn’t have coach Jon Darling worried, and he points to one stat to why he thinks the Topes are the favorites to win the championship in 2012: .643 — the combined on-base percentage for leadoff hitter Kenny Jacobsen and Kurt Homer, who has hit second.

Jacobsen has been on a tear to start the season. In four games, Kenny is hitting .750 with an OBP of .786. He’s 9-for-12 this season with two walks.

Behind him, Homer has an OBP of an even .500 with three hits and a team-leading four walks.

“The guys at the top of the order are getting on base, that’s what they’re supposed to do and they’re doing it well,” Darling said. “The middle of the order is off to a slow start, but when the heavy hitters come around, there’s going to be plenty of ducks on the pond to drive in.”

Jacobsen and Homer have each reached base in the first inning in all four games this season and have been on base a combined 18 times in four games, yet the duo has scored only seven times.

“Historically, the top of the order has been an area of concern,” Darling continued. “Over the years, we’ve tried several different combinations up there, looking for guys to get on base for Tom Jachimczyk and Dave Gagliardi in the middle. Now, we’re found a combo that works, and we’re only going to score more runs as the bats come alive and the temperatures get higher.”

On top of the success at the front of the batting order is a stronger middle. In addition to Yim and Gags, the longtime combo in the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, Eric Marshall, Eric McAndrew, Ryan Walsh and Jeff Dacosta have made the lineup deeper. It’s a simple formula: Guys getting on base and good bats to drive them in. It’s a combo that’s gonna lead to a lot of wins.

Season Highlights

There have been only four games, but there are a number of noteworthy plays already in 2012. … Yim slammed a two-run, walk-off homer in the first win of the season, 15-14 over the Sand Demons. … In that same game, Homer platted two runs with a bases-loaded double on an 0-2 pitch with no fouls to burn. Also in that game, Dacosta, Ry Chabot and Patrick Long had back-to-back RBI singles with two outs in a big second inning. … Long had a beautiful opposite-field double down the right-field line and scored what proved to be the go-ahead run in a 7-5 win in Westport over the Wrecking Crew, a game that also saw Marshall throw a perfect strike from left field to hose a runner at the plate and Gags drive in the final run of the game with a long triple that arguably would have cleared the fence at Cushman.

Around The Bases

Walsh leads the team with five RBIs and boasts a .545 batting average … Chabot is off to a good start to the season, hitting .444 with two walks, making for a .545 on-base percentage. … Some other teams in the league count errors as hits, and while this isn’t the Topes’ policy, it does shine some light on who’s reaching on errors, i.e. who’s hitting it down and hard. Jordan Chabot is only hitting .285 on the season, but if counting errors as hits, his average shoots up to .571. … There have been 96 penalty beers so far this season (156 if counting preseason games). Jordan Chabot, Walsh, Homer, Dacosta and Mike Hochella have all had to make extra runs to the packie this year. … There has been no set make-up date for the rainout with KMP last Thursday, but the rainout with the Misfits will be made up on June 19 at Cushman in a doubleheader. … The Rose Alley Ale House has two cool new happenings that are worth checking out. First, on Monday nights from 8 p.m. to midnight, the bar is serving breakfast for dinner, complete with a variety of Bloody Marys. Also, check it out on Facebook for details on how you can turn your New Bedford parking ticket into half-off your meal … The jerseys are done and will be available on Tuesday. Compliments to Justin Estrella of Just Your Way Screen Printing in Westport. Find it on Facebook for more information.

Looking Back

From time to time, the Isotopes Times will look back at a notable game of yesteryear. Today, we take the DeLorean from Back to the Future to July 14, 2009, when the Topes were 18-3 heading into a 6 p.m. contest against the Wrecking Crew at Cushman Park.

After McAndrew led off the first inning with a lineout to third, Kenny came up and knocked a basehit to center. Yim followed with a two-run homer over the fence for an early 2-0 lead. The Topes fell behind, 4-2, heading into the third, when they scored five runs on back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Kenny and Yim. The Topes broke the game open with an eight-run fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Yim. The Topes cruised from there to a 19-8 victory, but not before Yim made it a three-homer game with a solo shot in the sixth.

Oh, Yim also pitched that game, filling in for former pitcher Matt Biltcliffe.

Yim’s evening took a disastrous turn when KMP rolled in for the second game of the doubleheader. He slammed a two-run homer in the first to give Rose Alley a 4-1 lead, but tore his Achilles in the third inning rounding second base after a single. KMP scored 10 runs in the fourth and went on to win, 14-13.

Yim’s statline for the night: 6-for-6, four home runs, a double, nine RBIs, six runs scored, seven innings pitched and one ruptured tendon.

Looking Ahead

Rose Alley will have its first of five doubleheaders Tuesday at Cushman against the Wrecking Crew (6 p.m.) and Sand Demons (7:30 p.m.). The week after is a home-and-home series with the Red Eyes at Cushman on Tuesday and Wednesday. Other games to check out around the Sandlot Softball League include: Bulldogs at Red Eyes (5/16), Sand Demons at KMP (5/17), Crew at Misfits (5/21) and Bulldogs at KMP (5/24).

Thursday Ramblings

The Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford announced its season schedule recently, and suspiciously there is a lack of good jams coming in the fall and winter. Who is coming, however, is hysterical comedian Ron White (Tater’ Salad). Did you know Ron White got arrested one year ago for possession of marijuana on a private plane? He got busted because of an anonymous tip to police he had cheeba (he was found with less than three grams). He takes the stage in New Bedford on Oct. 1. … Fans of the awesome movie “300” will be happy to hear that there’s a sequel in the works. According to published reports, Frank Miller (also the writer behind Sin City) has finished writing the sequel, which reportedly will take place between the Battle of the Thermopylae and the Battle of Plataea (the fight the Spartans are preparing for at the very end of the movie). … Figures, a week after I proclaim that I wouldn’t mind if J.D. Drewdropped dead that he starts to heat up. I think Tuesday night’s home run was the first I’ve seen from him that actually made a difference in a game. … Speaking of the Red Sox, what’s with players sucking while they’re here then going to a different team and kicking ass (Hanley Ramirez, Roger Clemens, Jamie Moyer)? Exhibit A, though, has to be Brad Penny and John Smoltz: In their last two starts in Boston, they combined for 35 hits 19 innings; In 19 innings with new teams (in only three starts), the pair have allowed only 12 hits. … Congratulations to The Bulldogs, who won their fourth-straight Sandlot Softball League championship on Monday in Westport. “The Bullfags always play their best ball in the playoffs. That’s what makes them the class of the league,” said Jon Darlng, former coach of the third-place Isotopes. … Few links for your Thursday enjoyment: A report about a teenager who cries tears of blood (weird); Deep-fried butter is only the tip of the iceberg for the State Fair of Texas’ menu (yummy?); The best prom ever? How about $175-bucks a head for a three course meal and a full, school-sponsored bar(awesome); and one of the former Mighty Morphin Power Rangers thinks his kicking-butt ability is real, he wants to fight in Mixed Martial Arts. … Congratulations to Mark and Sarah Biltcliffe, who tied the knot last weekend. Best wishes to the newlyweds. … Today wold have been Jeremy Glick‘s 39th birthday. Glick, a former Judo champion, famously said “We’re going to rush the hijackers,” on 9/11 before he and other passengers forced the plane down in Pennsylvania, well before its target of Washington D.C. He was awarded the Medal of Heroism posthumously, the highest civilian honor. … Happy 29th birthday to softball player Jennie Finch. I don’t think she’s as hot as others hype her up to be. What is impressive is her stats: In six years with the U.S. National Team, she had 397 strikeouts in 239 innings and an ERA of 0.42. … Happy 14th birthday to eBay. Did you know that eBay owns 25 percent of Craigslist? …  Coming soon to Decent Community: New England Patriots 2010 preview. How will the Pats fare this season? What are their biggest weaknesses? Can they go all the way? Answers to burning questions and predictions from the experts at Decent Community.

Another year, another playoff exit for Isotopes

WESTPORT — The Rose Alley Isotopes put up a great effort Monday buy failed in their bid to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Isotopes lost 6-3, and combined with last week’s 11-2 loss, were eliminated from the Sandlot Softball League playoffs by the Misfits.

“We just couldn’t muster enough hits when we needed them,” coach Jon Darling said. “We were upbeat the whole game. We were cheering and supporting one another. We were really into this game but just couldn’t hit the ball enough to win.”

Matt Biltcliffe drove in both runs in last-week’s loss with a first-inning single. Pat Long platted two runs Monday evening on a double to center. Kurt Homer accounted for Rose Alley’s other run with a hard ball up the middle that got by the outfielders for a home run. The Misfits will start their best-of-five finals series against the three-time defensing champion Bulldogs on Wednesday.

2009 marked the third season in the last four that the Isotopes have had the best record in the regular season but failed to win the championship. Not helping Rose Alley’s offensive struggles in the playoffs was the loss of Yim, who had surgery recently to repair a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.

Darling said that despite the early playoff exit, the season is not a failure by any means.

“It’s fun coming out a few times a week and having some brews. It was a blast and it made the summer of crappy weather that much better,” he said.

Before hanging up his cleats for on the 2009 season, his last as coach, Darling wanted to thank his teammates and the Ale House for their support, as well as express gratitude to all the Decent Community readers.

“A lot of the guys were a delight to play with. I’ll never forget some of the great things that happened on and off the field with the Isotopes. The thousands who visit Decent Community every day helped take the Topes beyond SouthCoast, and the Rose Alley Ale House was just awesome in sponsoring the team,” he said, adding that he felt “honored” to be coach of the team for three seasons.

Although no one has stepped up and said they would take over the team next season, Darling said that assistant coach Dave Gags, Long and newcomer Kenny Jacobsen would all make great coaches if they would like to lead the squad in 2010. “They’re all responsible and have great people skills. Any of them would make an outstanding leader next year.”

Thursday Ramblings

Decent Community is hitting the road tomorrow for the Phish concert in Hartford, Conn. Two set-list predictions I hope come true: Ya Mar and Lizards. … I am very psyched for The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, starring Jeremy Piven as basically Ari trying to sell used cars. I Found a great trailer approved for mature audiences only that shows some pretty decent stuff. The way I look at it, the more Ari the better. I think my favorite Ari line is in season No. 1 when he’s running along and sees his neighbor’s dog taking a dump. He yells to his neighbor as he runs by “If you’re thinking of not picking that up, I’ll fucking kill you,” as he jogs into his driveway. I bet hardcore Entourage fans will agree with me here, though, in that some of Ari’s best stuff is when he’s so pissed he can’t even get a word out of his mouth. … I’m not a criminal, but I think I would have enough common sense that if I robbed someone, I wouldn’t have a yard sale two days later and try to sell off all her stuff. … Decent Community’s favorite softball team, The Rose Alley Isotopes, have their backs against the wall, according to coach Jon Darling. In an e-mail to us a few days ago, he wrote that the Topes lost their first playoff game, 11-2, on Tuesday and face a must-win game today against the Misfits. … One year ago today, Michael Phelps set the Olympic record with his 14th career gold medal. Despite his whole controversy about the pictures of him hitting a bong and becoming a proponent of legal cheeba, he still rakes in $5 million annually on endorsements. …  Jason from Framingham sent us an amusing email after reading the Old Country Buffet Review. “The OCB shit you speak of is legendary. You guys should do a article about other chain restaurant shits. Like the Outback Steakhouse dump (Get the Bloomin Onion) or the Chilis Babyback ribs shit.” I went to Google to see if anyone had a Web site like this. Whatever you do, do not click on anything after Googling “Taking a shit.” … I sometimes find a quarter or a nickel when walking on the sidewalk. I usually put it in my pocket and smile. I’ve heard stories of people finding $1 or even $20. Decent! But I don’t know what to say to the people in Florida who found a 60-pound bag of cocaine worth $1 million lying on the sidewalk. … Happy 36th birthday to former porn star Brittany Andrews, who retired from the business a few years ago to attend film school. Andrews used to raise money for L.A. charities by auctioning off fellow porn stars to rich dudes for big cash for an evening. Here’s Andrews in action. … Happy 50th birthday to Danny Bonaduce, the crazy dude who played Danny Partridge back in the day. Did you know his second wife, whom he divorced in 2007 after seven years of marriage, met him on a blind date and they got married the same day? He’s currently banging 27-year-old Amy Railsback, a former substitute teacher who is now his manager.

Thursday Ramblings

The rumor rambled a few weeks ago about the Stoneforge Tavern coming to Dartmouth is officially true. The restaurant is going on Route 6 near BJ’s Wholesale Club in a building that has housed the Ground Round and IXTAPA. It will be all casual dress, unlike other Stoneforges that have casual and fancy sections. … I always buy a copy of Madden football and dominate with the Patriots, but I always end up with Josh McDaniels or Romeo Crennel as head coach. Why? Because Bill Belichick isn’t in the game. Never has been. Why is he the only one of the 32 NFL head coaches not featured in the annual Madden game? He’s the only one who’s not a member of the NFL Head Coaches Association (NFLHCA) union. Maybe that’s why he’s not well-liked in the coaching fraternity (and why no one came to his defense during Spygate). … I’d like Decent Community members to join me in expressing my sympathies to Helmet Head, who was recently stripped of his Portuguese heritage by Portugal President Anibal Cavaco Silva. “We have strict rules about our cultural heritage,” Silva said. “When Portuguese people living in Mass. don’t attend the annual Madeira Feast in New Bedford, we take action. He’d be better suited as Dutch or French.” … Speaking of The Feast, anyone think that after raising the price of a beer to $4 that the Feast Committee could afford to get some liquid soap in the men’s bathroom? Just a bar of soap sitting there just doesn’t get it done for tens of thousands of people. … Isotopes coach Jon Darling e-mailed Decent Community during the team’s bye week to give a few updates. He wrote that Polish power-hitter Yim underwent successful surgery on his Achilles’ tendon Monday and should be on the sidelines cheering on the team when they start playoff action next week. He also wanted to congratulate the team leaders in 2-out RBIs: Kurt Homer (18), Matt Biltcliffe (13) and Dave Gags (11). … Congratulations to longtime Community member Mike Rocha on his recent engagement to the extremely decent Megan Best. Good luck and best wishes to them both. … Happy 67th birthday to former druglord George Jung, also known as “Boston George” and the guy who Johnny Depp played in the movie “Blow.” If you don’t want to wait until his Nov. 27, 2014 release date, you can go to his Website, georgejung.com, and buy something of his “Smuggler Wear” clothing line. I’m not joking, go ahead and buy a Jung teeshirt for $40. The “Blow” soundtrack plays in the background while you’re shopping! … Happy 58th birthday to former WWF wrestler Dino Bravo. Sadly, Bravo was shot 10 times in the back of the head for crossing the Canadian Mafia in an illegal cigarettes ring on March 11, 1993. What was Bravo, “Canada’s Strongest Man” doing when  he got shot? Watching hockey in his living room.

Isotopes Week in Review: Sealing First Place

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes clinched the top seed in the playoffs Monday for the third time in the last four seasons with a double-header split with KMP. The Isotopes will now have a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

“Getting the top seed is huge,” coach Jon Darling said. “We can rest up with a week off then host the lowest remaing seed, meaning we won’t have to play both the Bulldogs and KMP on the road to a championship.”

KMP and the Bulldogs join the Isotopes as being many games over .500 while the other three teams in the league are well below.

Monday’s clincher at Livesey Park didn’t start well as Rose Alley dropped the first game, 11-3. The bats came alive in the clinching, second game of the double-header for an 18-10 victory. Ethan Gifford busted out big time Monday, going 6-for-7 while Kurt Homer had seven RBIs as part of a 6-for-9 day. Chris Pinault picked it up in the second game, getting on base five times in the No. 2 spot in the order with a 4-for-4 day with a walk and five runs scored. Both Dave Gags and Eric McAndrew had triples in a six-run fifth inning that sealed the win.

The Isotopes played well again Tuesday night in a 7-4 win over the Misfits at Cushman Park to finish the season at 23-6. Pat Long (3-for-4), Pinault (3-for-4), Kenny Jacobsen (2-for-3), Homer (2-for-3) and Chris Desmarais (2-for-3) paved the road to the ‘Topes finishing the regular season on a winning note.

QUICK HITS

Monday was Homer’s first time back in the No. 5 spot after going 2-for-9 in the No. 2 spot in the previous two games. … Pinault on Monday became the first Isotopes not named Yim to reach base five times in one game. It was a sign of good things to come for Pinault, who posted an .876 average for the week … Tuesday’s game was the annual pick-names-out-of-a-hat-lineup day, featuring Long, Bilty and McAndrew, who played great defense Tuesday, 1-2-3 in the order. Homer was the unlucky ‘Tope for the second straight year, getting picked last again. … The 2009 season is the third straight year the ‘Topes have finished with 23 wins after posting 23-7 marks in 2007 and 2008. … Not surprising, Yim won the Isotopes’ batting title for the season, coming in at a .722 clip. In the final regular-season statistics, he was followed by Jacobsen (.554), Homer (.509), Gags (.450), McAndrew (.422), Long (.409), Pinault (.404), Mike Rocha (.379), Matt Biltcliffe (.373), Desmarais (.368), Darling (.366), Gifford (.321) and Cousin Scott (.250). … Rose Alley’s next playoff opponent is unknown, but it will be either the Misfits, Wrecking Crew or Outlaws. The Isotopes have a combined 17-1 record against those squads.

Isotopes Week in Review: 17 innings, 20 runs, 2 wins

FAIRHAVEN — Seven innings just isn’t enough anymore.

The Rose Alley Isotopes needed extra frames in both games this week in a pair of thrilling, come-from-behind victories over the Outlaws.

“The Isotopes showed a lot of heart this week — maybe more heart than I thought we had,” coach Jon Darling said. “We got key hits in key situations and some big defensive plays when it mattered most.”

The offense continued its struggles since Yim injured his Achilles’ tendon on July 14. Through the first four innings of each game, the Topes (21-5) had totaled only four runs and the meat of the order (Kurt Homer, Kenny Jacobsen and Dave Gags) hit a Julio- Lugo-on-steroids-like .292 for the week.

The Topes started the week with a 14-9 win Monday in Westport. Mike Rocha had the loudest hits of the day with a 2-run triple in the fifth and an RBI double in the ninth that proved to be the game-winner. Pat Long made the play of the day when, after committing an error to start the eighth inning, made a diving catch on a short fly to the outfield to keep the score tied. Eric McAndrew knocked a huge, game-tying double in the seventh innings to bring the Topes back and force extra innings.

Long came through against the Outlaws again on Wednesday at Cushman Park. With new bats being busted out, Long smashed a two-run triple to the right-field fence in the fourth to get the Topes back in the game. McAndrew’s two-out, seventh-inning hard ground ball turned into the game-tying play on a Outlaws error. After holding the Outlaws scoreless in the eighth, pitcher Matt Biltcliffe pushed the game-winning single to right field, scoring Gags and sealing a week of come-from-behind victories with a 6-5 win.

QUICK HITS

Yim was medically ruled out of the remainder of the season after a visit to the doctor on Thursday. The Polish power hitter will undergo surgery on his ruptured Achilles’ tendon on Aug. 3 and is facing as much as a 12-month recovery period. If you’re into praying, he could use a couple. … Wednesday’s game was played at the the field on the east side of Cushman Park, known as WomanCush. It was the Topes first game there this season, bringing their record there to 10-2 since the end of the 2006 season. … Wednesday’s game was a makeup from Tuesday, when Rose Alley got rained out for the eighth time this year. The Topes had totaled four rainouts in the previous two seasons. … Darling was the only Isotope to not record a hit last week. … Darling also announced Wednesday that this season will be his last as coach. … At 21-5, the Topes need to win two more games to clinch first place and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They are back in action Monday against KMP at Livesey Park then return to Cushman to host the Misfits at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Topes will wrap regular-season play on Wednesday against the W. Crew in Westport.

Topes Week in Review: Disaster strikes

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes just crushed the Wrecking Crew by 11 in the first half of Tuesday night’s double-header. The team slugged beers and had a jolly time in between games after watching Yim slam three homers and drive in seven in the 19-8 trouncing. KMP rolled in and the Topes jumped out to an early 7-1 lead.

Then tragedy struck.

After homering in his first at-bat, Yim knocked a single and advanced to third on a double by Dave Gags, but on the way to third he came up limp with a pain in his ankle. He needed a pinch runner and limped back to the bench in pain after the inning. Coach Jon Darling was hoping it was just a rolled ankle.

“He was hurting for sure. He said he popped his Achilles tendon,” Darling said. “He was still limping hard a few days later. He’s in rough shape and is probably going to have to be examined by a doctor. His return at any point this season is extremely doubtful.”

The Topes are going to have to step it up without Yim, who leads the team by a wide margin in every offensive category, including homers (15), RBIs (56), doubles (15), batting average (.744) and on-base percentage (.722).

Rose Alley went on to lose to KMP, 14-13, despite a spirited 5-run, last-inning comeback that fell just short when Darling lined out to the pitcher with the tying run on third base. KMP scored 10 runs in the fourth inning and the Topes just couldn’t muster enough offense to get a win.

Rose Alley jumped right back in action Wednesday against the three-time defending champion Bulldogs. The Topes jumped out to a 7-5 lead but the Bulldogs pulled away, scoring multiple times in the fourth, fifth and sixth for a 12-7 victory.

Several Topes had big weeks at the plate, lead by lefty right-fielder Kurt Homer, who hit .909 (10-for-11). Kenny Jacobsen (9-for-12, three doubles, four RBIs), Matt Biltcliffe (6-for-11, HR, double, five RBIs), and Darling (6-for-10, BB, double, three RBIs) paced the offensive without Yim, who was 6-for-6 with four homers and nine RBIs before injuring himself.

The two losses put the Topes at 19-5 for the season, holding a slight edge over KMP and the Bulldogs in the race for the top seed in the playoffs. Both teams have eight losses.

QUICK HITS

Tuesday’s game against KMP had more the just Yim’s injury. Outfielder Chris Desmarais was a little shaken after running into the left-field fence going for a ball and Homer cut his knee up sliding to knock down a ball in right. … What’s Tubesteak been doing on his summer vacation? Playing for the Topes, of course. The smooth righty was 3-for-4 on Wednesday in a guest appearance. … Mike Rocha made his return from the DL this week after cutting himself trying to separate frozen veggie burger patties with a steak knife after drinking heavily. He reached base safely in all three games, including a 3-for-4 game against KMP. … Livesey has need been kind to the Topes in the past three years. Not including playoffs, the Topes are 5-8 there since the start of the 2007 season after Wednesday’s loss. … The Isotopes are not walking as often as last season. In 2008, the team averaged 1.8 free passes per game compared to this year’s 1.4 … The Isotopes can clinch home field throughout the playoffs by winning their next four games, starting Monday against the Outlaws in Westport at 6 p.m. before hosting the Outlaws Tuesday at Cushman Park for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

Isotopes Week in Review: Still going Strong

WESTPORT — The Rose Alley Isotopes keep playing good softball, winning two games this week to improve to 18-3 on the season.

Coach Jon Darling is happy with the team’s record, but feels there are still some things that need to improve if the ‘Topes are going to win their first Sandlot Softball League championship.

“We’re playing well, but we’re not perfect by any means,” Darling said Tuesday night after the game against KMP was rained out. “We need to get better on the basepaths and better with the bats, but for the most part, we are playing the best softball we’ve played in the modern ‘Topes era.”

Pat Long led the charge Monday in two wins over the Outlaws, going 6-for-7 with three RBIs and a walk as the ‘Topes cruised to 11-4 and 10-7 victories.

“He’s hitting the ball as well as anyone right now,” Darling said of Long, who’s fifth on the team in batting average at .452. “He’s hitting to all fields and dropping base hits in at clutch times.”

Rose Alley busted the first game open in the third inning with four straight, 2-out RBI singles by Nick Mitcheson, Long, Darling and Ethan Gifford. Dave Gags added a two-run single in the fourth as the ‘Topes cruised to an eight-run victory.

Yim had the loudest hit of the evening with a three-run blast to left center in the second game to put the Isotopes up 6-2 in the second inning. He added two more RBIs in the sixth with Gags and Kurt Homer also driving in runs to seal up the four-run win.

QUICK HITS

Mitcheson made his return to the Topes Monday. Also known as “The Body,” Mitcheson played five seasons for the ‘Topes before an injury forced him to the sidelines. He had three hits and three RBIs in his return. … Pitcher Matt Biltcliffe missed his first games of the modern ‘Topes era Monday. There is now no member of the team who has played in every game in the five-year modern era. Yim came in from the bullpen, tossing two solid games in Bilty’s absence. … The league’s Web site, www.sandlotsoftball.com, is under construction, but should return soon with standings and team stats. … Not surprising, Yim leads the team in batting average (.724) and on-base percentage (.702). Rounding out the team leaders in average are Kenny Jacobsen (.571), Homer (.462), Gags (.458). Jacobsen is also second in on-base (.571) followed by Homer (.482), Long (.463) and Eric McAndrew (.457). … The ‘Topes are a perfect 20-0 when playing in Westport since the end of the 2006 season. … Coach Darling e-mailed Decent Community to praise the efforts of Homer and Long for their efforts trying to get the field playable for Tuesday’s game. … The Isotopes are back in action next week with a double-header Tuesday against the Wrecking Crew and KMP at Cushman Park before battling the rival Bulldogs on Wednesday.

Isotopes Week in Review: Taking a Strong Hold on First Place

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes (16-3) won both ends of a thrilling double-header Tuesday night and cruised past the Misfits Thursday to extend their hold on first place in the Sandlot Softball League.

Both of Tuesday’s contests were won in walk-off fashion.

The opener against rival KMP started well with Yim nailing a three-run homer in a five-run first inning. The Topes’ bats went silent until the end and KMP battled back to tie the score at 6-6 late in the game. The Topes prevailed in their last at-bat when Dave Gags nailed a line-drive triple to left center. Following two intentional walks to Kurt Homer and Matt Biltcliffe to set up a force at home, Mike Rocha hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to left center, scoring Gags to seal the 7-6 victory.

The Topes sat around drinking beers before the second game against the W. Crew but still managed to lead 4-0 early on RBIs by Gags, Homer, Cousin Scott and Eric McAndrew. Rose Alley fell behind 5-4 in the sixth inning before Pat Long nailed a 2-run bloop single to center. The W. Crew pushed the Topes’ backs against the wall with a 3-run seventh for an 8-6 lead but Rose Alley battled back again with the top of the order scoring three runs without making an out. Gags and Homer drove in the tying and winning runs, respectively, as the Topes swept the double-header with a 9-8 win.

The Isotopes continued to drink heavily on Thursday, when a scheduling conflict forced them to watch a Bulldogs-KMP matchup at Westport before taking the field against the Misfits. When the Topes finally got on the field, they scored early and often, putting up runs in every inning except the second for a 17-2 victory. Yim led the way with a 5-for-5 day with a triple, double and five RBIs. Kenny Jacobsen (3-for-5, 4 runs scored), Gags (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 4 RBIs), Chris Desmarais (2-for-4, 2 doubles) and Cousin Scott (3-for-4, RBI) paced the offense over the Misfits.

QUICK HITS

The Isotopes drank 180 beers this week, with three 30-packs downed during the double-header and two more 30s, an 18-pack and a 12-pack going down against the Misifts. … Rocha is going to be on the disabled list for the foreseeable future after injuring his hand trying to separate veggie patties with a steak knife. … In Rocha’s absence, a ‘Tope from the past is set to make his 2009 debut Monday. … Yim’s first-inning blast Tuesday was his 10th of the season, the third-straight year he has reached double-digits in homers. … Yim, Desmarais, Kenny and Cousin Scott all tried their hands at pitching this week with everyone doing well except for Scooter, who was pulled after throwing eight straight balls. … The Topes will play three games this week. They open Monday against the Outlaws in Westport at 6 p.m. before hosting  KMP Tuesday at Cushman Park at 7:30 p.m. A return trip with the Outlaws is in order for Wednesday in a makeup of a rainout at 6 p.m. in Westport.

Thrilling comeback caps another successful week

FAIRHAVEN — The Bulldogs scored five times in the first inning and never trailed — until it was too late.

With first-place fading away and another loss because of mental errors and shaky defense approaching, Yim put the team on his back, launching a three-run homer, his second of the game, into the tennis courts in the sixth inning Tuesday night as the Rose Alley Isotopes triumphed over their rival Bulldogs, 13-10, at Cushman Park.

“No one’s bigger than the team, but Yim carried us to victory,” coach Jon Darling told Decent Community.” Every time he steps into the batters box, everyone’s eyes are glued to the pitch. Everyone wants to see what he’s going to do next. Tuesday night, he proved why he’s the most feared hitter in Southeastern Massachusetts.”

The Topes (13-3) scored three times in the fifth and added six more in the sixth to cap the comeback. Pat Long (2-for-3, RBI), Chris Pinault (2-for-3) and Dave Gags (2-for-4, RBI) joined Yim (3-for-4, 2 HR, 6 RBI) in leading the offense.

Tuesday’s come-from-behind win was preceded by a solid 8-3 win over the Misfits in Westport on Monday. With 80 beers in the cooler, the Topes scored three in the first and four in the last to cruise to victory. Yim (3-for-3, 3 RBI) was a homer short of the cycle with Eric McAndrew (2-for-3, RBI), Matt Biltcliffe (2-for-3) and Mike Rocha (2-for-3) also getting it done with the bats.

QUICK HITS

Yim’s been a hard man to retire lately: He’s 15-for-19 in the last five games with six homers and 17 RBI. He is hitting .737 on the season … Pinault is back manning shortstop after a three-week jaunt to Europe. … Call it early-game jitters? The Topes have allowed 13 runs in the first innings of the last five games but only 23 in the next six innings. … Chris Desmarais has been very productive lately, getting on base six times and scoring five runs in his last three games. He’s also making good breaks and running down balls in left field. …  On Wednesday, Long became the first Isotopes to get engaged during the season. He and his soon-to-be-wife Laura are planning an extravagant, open-bar wedding with loads and loads of food and good-looking women. An informal poll of 10 Isotopes concluded that Biltcliffe is the next to pop the question, with Gags a close second … The Topes have another big week on tap. Monday, they will face the Outlaws in Westport at 6 p.m. before hosting the Wrecking Crew for a double-header Tuesday at Cushman Park at 7:30 p.m.

Isotopes Week in Review: Great Start, Embarrassing Finish

FAIRHAVEN — The Isotopes started the week like a first-place team should, shredding the last-place Misfits, 17-5, at Cushman Park Tuesday night.

Unfortunately, things went downhill from there.

The Topes didn’t show up at all on Thursday and suffered their worst loss since 2006, 15-5, to the defending champion Bulldogs at Livesey Park.

“Absolutely pitiful,” an embarrassed coach Jon Darling said after Thursday’s debacle. “The outfield was terrible. The infield was terrible. The base-running was terrible. Some guys think since we’re in first place that teams are automatically going to lay down when we roll in. I hope they understand that the Topes have to play hard and smart to win, because we did neither Thursday night and the result was embarrassing.”

Yim continued to swing a hot bat this week, going 7-for-8 with two homers and three doubles. Kurt Homer (5-for-8, four RBIs), Eric McAndrew (5-for-8, four runs scored) and Kenny Jacobsen (4-for-8, four runs scored and 2 RBIs) helped Yim lead the offensive charge for the week.

QUICK HITS

Going streaking: Homer (10), Matt Biltcliffe (seven), Yim (seven) and Pat Long (six) all have active hitting streaks. … Jacobsen’s 0-for-4 Thursday not only snapped his six-game streak, but also marked the first time this season he was hitless. … Biltcliffe picked up a couple of hits on Tuesday, his first game with his new bat. Colored teal and featuring a Canadian flag, Bilty’s new bat is named “Bigwood” after his girlfriend. … Decent Community’s Tubesteak made his Topes debut Thursday but failed to collect a hit (0-for-3). … The ten-run thrashing Thursday is the biggest losing margain in the modern Topes era. They have lost by nine twice since 2006 (11-2 to Bulldogs in 2008, and 12-3 to KMP in 2007) … Despite getting pounded by the Bulldogs, the Topes remain in first place with an 11-3 record, 1/2 game ahead of KMP (11-4) … The Isotopes will look to get back on track next week against the Misfits in Westport at 6 p.m. Monday before a big revenge game against the Bulldogs Tuesday night at Cushman Park at 7:30 p.m.

Isotopes Week in Review: Back in First Place

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes are back atop the Sandlot Softball League, winning both games this week to improve to 10-2 on the season. This is the first time the Topes have been in first place since 2007.

“Who can complain about being in first place?” coach Jon Darling asked after Tuesday’s game. “The guys are playing really well right now and we’re putting down beers at an astonishing rate. Everything’s coming up roses — so far.”

The ‘Topes defeated previous top dog KMP (10-3), 18-14, Monday at Livesey Park. Yim homered to deep left en route to a 6-RBI afternoon. Pitcher Matt Biltcliffe helped his own cause with a pair of RBI triples while Eric McAndrew (4-for-6 with a 2-RBI triple) and Kenny Jacobsen (3-for-4, RBI triple) chipped in offensively.

The ‘Topes came back firing on Tuesday night with a 14-8 revenge victory over the Outlaws, who defeated the Topes in extra innings last week. Yim hit a pair of homers and Kurt Homer launched a 2-run home run to deep right as part of a 7-run sixth inning. Pat Long (3-for-4), McAndrew (2-for-3, walk), and Biltcliffe (3 RBIs) joined in the offensive charge.

QUICK HITS

Monday’s game was the firs time this season that every ‘Tope recorded a hit … The Isotopes drank 114 beers in two games this week … Since going 0-for-5 against the Outlaws on May 26, McAndrew is hitting .692 (9-for-13). … Homer has hit safely in nine straight games. … Yim leads the team with five homers, all of which have come in the last five games … Yim also leads the team in batting average (.690), followed by Kenny (.647) and Homer (.467). Kenny has the team edge in on-base percentage with a .700 clip, slightly ahead of Yim’s .681. Current standings and team stats can be found at www.sandlotsoftball.com… The ‘Topes are back in action Tuesday against the Misfits at Cushman Park before traveling to Livesey for a matchup with the Bulldogs on Thursday.

Topes get back in the win column

WESTPORT — The Rose Alley Isotopes rebounded from a thrilling loss Tuesday night with a 7-5 win over the Misfits Thursday. Kenny Jacobsen, who just joined the team last week, had the loudest hit of the evening, a two-run homer to left as the Topes improved to 8-2 on the season.

“He’s playing really well so far. We’re very fortunate to have him on the squad,” coach Jon Darling said of Jacobsen. “It feels good to get back in the win column. Now we have to gear up for Monday.”

The Topes will get another shot at first-place KMP (10-1) at Livesey at 6 p.m. Monday.

Yim continued to swing the bat well Thursday, going 4-for-4 at the plate. Eric McAndrew rebounded from Tuesday’s 0-for-5 night with a 3-for-4 performance with two runs scored. Darling had three two-out RBIs as part of a 2-for-3 evening.

 

Isotopes lose thriller in extra innings

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes scored three runs in the seventh to force extra innings before falling in the eighth, 16-14, to the Outlaws at Cushman Park Tuesday night.

“We battled back and showed a lot of heart,” coach Jon Darling said after the game. “The Outlaws scored five more in the eighth and we were able to get three back before coming up just short.”

As usual, Yim led the Topes (7-2) on offense with a 3-for-3 day with a towering home run and a pair of doubles before being intentionally walked in the last inning. Darling (4-for-4), Mike Rocha (3-for-4) and Kenny (2-for-3) chipped in with nice games at the plate.

The Isotopes are back in action Thursday against the Misfits in Westport at 6 p.m.

Topes break out the lumber in win over Misfits

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes scored seven runs in the first inning and never looked back in a 17-8 win over the Misfits on a chilly Tuesday night at Cushman Park.

“It feels good to get back in the win column,” said coach Jon Darling, whose Isotopes (7-1) dropped their first game of the season to undefeated KMP on Monday. “We hit the ball really well and we played great defense. Not too much more you can ask for.”

Yim busted out of his homer-less streak with a laser beam, two-run line drive home run over the left field fence in the third inning. Eric McAndrew chipped in with four hits while Dave Gagliardi and Kurt Homer each had three. Newcomer Kenny Jacobsen had a solid debut, geting on base four times with a 2-for-2 day at the plate with two walks.

The Isotopes will have a week off before returning to Cushman Park Tuesday for a matchup with the Outlaws at 7:30 p.m.

Bats go silent as Topes lose for first time

FAIRHAVEN — Coach Jon Darling thought back to his days in school to sum up Monday’s game against undefeated KMP.

“It’s a simple equation,” he said. “When you you only have six hits in seven innings of slow-pitch softball, you’re gonna lose.”

KMP prevailed, 8-4, at Livesey Park, handing the Topes (6-1) their first loss of the season.

“We hit it up way too much,” Darling said, noting that hard ground balls are much harder to field that easy pop-ups. “We had 15 flyball outs. That’s just not gonna get it done against anybody, especially the best team in the league.”

The Rose Alley Isotopes had an early 2-1 ona two-out, two-run single by Kurt Homer in the second, but watched the lead sail away in the third when KMP toughuy Darren hit a 3-run home run. The Isotopes scored twice in the sixth inning before making an out, but failed to bring any more runs across the plate. Chris Desmarias, Mike Rocha and Eric McAndrew had a hit while Dave Gagliardi was the only Isotope with a multi-hit game with two singles.

The Topes will back back in action Tuesday night against the Misfits at Cushman Park at 7:30 p.m.

Isotopes Notebook: Yim wants to hit less homers?

NEW BEDFORD — It’s not too often that a player wants to hit less long balls than he did the year before, but that’s exactly what Tom Jachimczyk wants to do this season.

“I want to hit .800 with 10 bombs. That’s my goal,” said Yim, who hit 20 homers in 2007 and 15 last season. “I want my average to climb 200 points. I’m not going to try to swing for the fences when we don’t have a fence. I think the only time I’m gonna try to hit long balls is when we’re at Cushman.”

Yim’s dong numbers may be down, but he’s close to his goal of hitting .800. He currently sits at .722 after a 2-for-5 game last Thursday. What may be alarming, though, is he has only four RBIs in five games.

“Not too many people are getting on base ahead of me,” Yim said, challenging the 1-2 hitters in the lineup. “I’m leading off a lot of innings or coming up second. I’m hitting doubles and singles, which isn’t necessarily going to score a guy from first.”

Chris Desmarais and Eric McAndrew, the two guys who have spent the most time hitting 1-2 this season, are carrying low on-base percentages so far, .238 and .407, respectively.

Coach Jon Darling said recently that it may be time to switch things up at the top.

“It’s a revolving door,” Darling said of the top-2 spots in the order. “I’m going to continue cycling guys in and out of those spots until someone hits well enough to stay there.”

TAKING THE BITE OUT OF THE BULLDOGS

The Rose Alley Isotopes won both games against their hated rivals, the Bulldogs, last week by a combined score of 17-5. The Bulldogs have eliminated the Topes in the playoffs the past three years, twice in the World Series.

“It’s good for morale. Any time you win a game it’s a good thing but beating the Bulldogs feels a little better,” Darling said.

The Topes have 5-run innings in both Bulldogs games, both highlighted by extra-base hits. Pitcher Matt Biltcliffe had a two-run, two-out double in Tuesday’s 10-2 win and Dave Gagliardihad a towering RBI triple that would have been a home run if there was a fence in Thursday’s 7-3 victory.

QUICK HITS

Former coach and budget expert Mike Rochacontinues to carry a hot bat. His .500 batting average joins Yim as the only Topes hitting .500 or above. … Darling is the only Tope to hit safely in all six games this season … Darling also became the first Isotope to “go down by way of the K” when he looked at Strike 3 on Thursday. He will bring a 30-pack to Tuesday’s game as a penalty … Plumber Guy also was hit with a beer penalty last week, popping out to the catcher on Tuesday. To his credit, he brought an 18-pack instead of the required 12-pack to Thursday’s game. … Gagliardi missed Wednesday’s game with blue-collar stuff at his newly purchased home. It was the first game he has missed in the four years of the Modern Topes era. Plumber played left-center field in his absence. … Kurt Homer showed signs of busting out of his year-plus-long slump last week with a 6-for-11 performance at the plate despite a bad right shoulder … Outfielder Patrick Long also had a solid week, carrying a .714 on-base percentage against the Bulldogs and Wrecking Crew. … Shortstop Chris Pinaulthit the Topes first homer of the season Tuesday. The Topes will miss him as he is headed to Europe for a month. Yim will man shortstop in his absence. … The Topes are 2-0 this season when playing with only three outfielders.

LOOKING AHEAD

Monday’s game marks the biggest game of the entire league so far this season as the Isotopes (6-0) travel to Livesey Park in Fairhaven for a 6 p.m. battle with first-place KMP (7-0). Tuesday, the Topes return to Cushman Park to host the Misfits, who fell to the Topes earlier in the season 5-1.

Shorthanded Topes too much for rival Bulldogs

WESTPORT — Only eight showed up, but these eight came ready to play.

The Rose Alley Isotopes capped a 3-game week with a decisive, 7-3 victory over their rival Bulldogs Thursday night despite only having three outfielders and borrowing a catcher from the other team.

“It’s great any time you beat your biggest rival, but to do it with one less outfielder, and still win by four runs, is something special,” said coach Jon Darling, who struck out looking on a close pitch in the second inning and will have to bring a 30-pack to Tuesday’s game. “The guys are playing unbelievable defense, and while the offense is still sluggish, we’re getting clutch hits when we need them and not making many mistakes.”

Dave Gagliardi, who operates an underground pizza factory in his basement, had the loudest hit of the night, a towering RBI triple that would have been a home run if there was a fence. Shortstop Chris Pinault resembled a vacuum in the field, making plays left and right, and contributed offensively with two runs scored and an RBI. The outfield of Gags, Yim and Kurt Homer played outstanding, covering extra ground to makeup for the large gaps in the outfield.

The Topes (6-0) face their toughest test of the season Monday against undefeated, first-place KMP (7-0) at Livesey Park in Fairhaven at 6 p.m.

“This is a big one,” Darling said. “It may be early in the season, but it’s time to see what the Topes are made of. Who’s going to step up when the big dogs come to town?”

Topes stay hot, improve to 5-0

WESTPORT — The Rose Alley Isotopes are rolling through the Sandlot Softball League competition, winning games Tuesday and Wednesday nights to improve to a perfect 5-0 on the season.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” coach Jon Darling said of the team so far. “We’re hitting the ball well, playing great defense and we’re drinking beers at a record pace.”

Tuesday’s win was the biggest of the week as the Topes trounced their hated rivals, the Bulldogs, 10-2. The Bulldogs have eliminated the Topes in the playoffs the last three seasons.

Shortstop Chris Pinault, a Portuguese speedster with a slick glove, hit the Topes’ first home run of the season Tuesday night, skying an opposite-field linedrive to right center. Cousin Scott, who missed last season after a Maury Povich like DNA parent/child test, was 3-for-3 with two RBIs. The bottom of the order got it done against the Bulldogs as 9-11 hitters Patrick Long, Cousin Scott and Darling were 6-for-7 with two walks.

The Topes came back with another win Wednesday, 11-3 over the Wrecking Crew. The Topes clung to a 4-3 lead until busting out in a seven-run seventh inning. Tom Jachimczyk, the most feared hitter in the league, lead the Topes with a 5-for-5 day at the plate with two RBIs, a triple and a double, while Kurt Homer, who lives in his parents’ garage,  showed signs of getting out of his slump with a 3-for-4 evening with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Isotopes are back in action Thursday night, getting another crack at hated-rival Bulldogs in Westport at 6 p.m.