VRANICH PITCHES AND HITS SOX TO 6-4 WIN OVER LATIN HEAT

Chuck Vranich is a veteran of over 40 years of fast pitch softball and nobody really knows his real age. But what people do now know is that he can hit as well as pitch. Vranich pitched a complete game allowing 3 earned runs against a very good hitting Latin Heat team. At the plate Vranich was forced to hit as the Sox played shorthanded the entire day with 5 starters out of the lineup and the Sox only having 9 players all day. Chuck was 2-2 with 2 key RBI in the Sox 6-4 win. Vranich also pitched out of a late inning jam to preserve the win. The Sox now advance to play The Animals at 9:45. The Sox jumped out early again when Eric GeIerman playing center for the absent John Otte walked and scored from first on a double to left by Fred Hanker.Dale Lope than followed with a sac fly to right making the score 2-0 after 1. The Sox tallied 2 more in the 2nd when LB Snakes owner Ron Rupp playing for the absent Chuck Chaple who is a new father walked as did Chris Martinez and Cesar Rodriguez. Up stepped Chuck Vranich who lined a single to left scoring 2 runs. The Sox would score again in the third when Dale Lopes singled as did David Bell. Ron Rupp than delivered a RBI single to make the score 5-1 after 3. The Sox pushed the lead to 6-1 in the 4th when Vranich singled and scored on a Fred Hanker 2 out single.Latin Heat rallied for 3 in the final inning but Vranich snuffed out the rally and the Sox prevailed 6-4. Fred Hanker was 2-3 with 2 RBI to help out Vranich.

The Long Beach Black Sox put it all together in a 15-1 whitewashing of The Animals and advanced to the 11:15 game against Raymar. The Sox would put the game away in the 2nd scoring 6. Every Sox player would reach base and 4 players had multiple hit games. The Sox would tally 6 in the 2nd and 3 in the third and 3 in the 4th and top it off with 3 in the 5th. They would score in every inning except the 1st. Jim Flanagan looked strong is his debut as a starter going 4 innings and allowing only 2 hits and 3 K's. At the plate The Sox would pound out 14 hits. Cesar Rodriguez would hit a grand slam in the second to break the game open. Eric Geierman was 2-5 with 3 RBI and 3 Runs. Andy Martinez was 4-5 with 3 RBI. Fred Hanker was 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI. Dave Bell was 3-4 with 2 RBI. Ron Rupp scored 3 runs. Chuck Vranich in the DH role was also drove in another run.

Chuck Vranich once again pitched a mastepiece going 5 strong innings in The Sox 5-3 win which advanced them into the championship game against Raw. Randy Clay pitched the final inning striking out the side to get the save. The Sox scored 1 in the 1st when Andy Martinez singled home Eric Geilman and 2 in the 2nd when Chris Martinez singled and Cesar Rodriguez walked. Jim Flanagan singled home 1 as did Eric Geilman. The Sox would lead 3-2 into the 4th. In the 4th Jim Flanagan singled and scored on a Andy Martinez single. The score would be 4-3 Sox into the 5th when with 2 outs Ron Rupp tripled and Chris Martinez singled him home. Randy Clay finished the game off for the Sox 5-3 win. Andy Martinez was 2-3 with 2 RBI. Jim Flanagan pitcher turned hitter was 2-3 with a RBI and a run. Chris Martinez and Ron Rupp also collected 2 hits each.

SOX FINISH OFF REMARKABLE DAY WITH 9-0 WIN

The Long Beach Black Sox started off the 2006 Norwalk Valentine tourney going 0-3 last Saturday losing 3 games by a combined 4 runs. Today they are the 2006 Norwalk Valentine Champions capping off a 12 hour day going 4-0 with a 9-0 win over Raw in the final game of the day. The Sox missing Todd Budke, Damo Guerrero, John Otte, Chris Minogue, Chuck Chaple and Brett Semans all starters pulled together and won. Long Beach would score all 9 runs in the 1st inning and put the game away. Eric Geilman singled as did Andy Martinez. Fred Hanker than lined a sac fly to center scoring Geilamn. Dale Lopes than walked and David Bell singled home Martinez. Ron Rupp singled Lopes home. Chris Martinez walked and Cesar Rodriguez doubled home 2. Dave Hanker followed with an infield single. Eric Geierman singled and Andy Martinez walked. Fred Hanker than singled up the middle for his third RBI in the inning. Randy Clay was superb going the distance allowing 3 hits and 7 K's with no walks and no runs for the complete game shutout.