Beacons drop double-header, fall to 0-4

ROLLINSFORD -- On a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon, the Beacons were unable to salvage a win in their double-header versus P. Hussey or Station House.
The team suffered a thorough drubbing in the opener versus P. Hussey, 20-8, after starting Beacons pitcher Bob Cook surrendered 12 runs in the fourth inning, including two runs that crossed the plate on uncharacteristic walks.
P. Hussey hitters managed to find the holes in the fourth inning and they seemed to run the table on the Beacons who just couldn't retire the side.
But then in the top of the fifth, the Beacons showed some life and jolted P. Hussey for seven runs over the last two innings to close the gap, 18-8. Grizzled softball veterans Bob Dawber, Ray Claverie and Cook pounded the ball knocking in Beacons runners.
Every step of the way, the Beacons battled with a contingent of reserves called up from the team's Triple A farm team in Lebanon, Maine, to keep pace with P. Hussey.
One play in particular seemed to sum up what became a futile day at the old ball park.
On a deep fly ball to left center field struck by P. Hussey, Claffey got on his horse, purple leggings and all, went into a slide and just missed making a spectacular catch, which allowed three P. Hussey runners to score.
"I thought I had it. I was so close. I should have caught it," said a bewildered Claffey, soaked to the bone from sliding around all day in the outfield.
Cook gave way to reliever Phil Fernald and the Beacons defense managed to keep the damage just minimal the rest of the way, but the offense could not muster any more runs.
The final, P. Hussey, 20, Beacons, 8.
The second game of the twin bill showed some glimner of hope when the sun managed to break through the clouds as Station House took the field.
The Beacons sensed this might be their opportunity to get a W. The team's defense tightened with Todd Young at short stop and recently signed free agent Adam "A.K." Krauss stretching at first and the ever dependable Jason Claffey roaming in center, but once again the Beacons' bats went silent before they fell to Station House, 10-4, good buddy.
"We came to play and we wanted a win, if not two wins, to get to 500, but we just didn't do enough of the things necessary to make it happen. P. Hussey took advantage of our mistakes and we made it too easy for them to run up the score," said Beacons Manager Bob Cook.
With Station House, Cook said the two teams battled throught much of the game with Fernald on the hill, but eventually Station House go the upper hand and the depleted Beacons couldn't respond.
Some of the Beacons who shined were shortstop Steve Clegg, who made one dazzling play after another, and Robin Fernald, who stroke some impressive hits in the DH spot. Dawber and Claverie were also solid in the field and at the plate.
"Little by little, this team is coming together. The wins will come. We just have to stay the course," said Cook.
The team will seek its first win of the 2009 season Tuesday night when they play a make-up game versus Post 47 at GoldStar Park. First pitch is at 6 p.m.

Navy Yard crushes Beacons, 26-12

ROLLINSFORD -- For five innings, Beacons fans were treated to a good game Friday between the home town team and Navy Yard, the defending league champions.
But as quickly as the Beacons mounted an impressive seven run surge in the fifth inning to pull within two runs of Navy Yard at 13-11, Navy Yard pounded Beacons relief pitcher Phil Fernald with two grand slams to propel them to an impressive 26-12 win.
To say this was a tough game to let slip away is almost an understatement for the Beacons who now fall to 0-2. But for Navy Yard, Friday's win was about righting their ship after they came into the game at 2-2 after dropping games to Post 47 and Chumley's.
But they would have to earn this victory thanks to the relentless baserunning of Beacons center fielder Jason Claffey and a big, three-run blast by Beacons left fielder Sonny Ecker that cleared the left centerfield fence in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Beacons starting pitcher Bob Cook got off to a shaky start in the first inning, surrendering four runs and a few walks. But then Cook settled down and only gave up modest runs the rest of the way. The Beacons also displayed some good defense to keep Navy Yard from scoring too many runs.
Beacons fans were thrilled when the team mounted an impressive comeback in the bottom of the fifth inning spurred by a combination of walks, singles and Ecker's first homerun of the 2009 campaign.
But then Beacons Coach Bob Cook made a questionable move in the top of the sixth inning when he removed himself from the mound and gave way to reliever Phil Fernald.
Fernald threw plenty of strikes, but then Navy Yard's offense took over and sprayed sharp hits all over the field. Before Beacons fans knew it, the game was out of hand after Navy Yard hitters connected on not one, but two grand slams in the sixth and seventh innings.
By the time Navy Yard's barrage was over, the Beacons suffered a 26-12 loss.
"I am still pleased that we played as well as we did with those guys for five innings," said Cook after the game. "They have a tremendous offense and they are the defending league champions. We made it a game for most of the game and we just couldn't hold them back."
When asked if he should have taken himself out of the game in the sixth inning, Cook replied, "I don't think it would have mattered either way."
Claffey was disappointed the Beacons couldn't find a way to hold off Navy Yard, but was still glad he was able to spur the team's offense on the basepaths, Claffey scored four of the team's 12 runs.
"I just did what coach wanted me to do. My job is to get hits and take the extra base when I can to put pressure on the other team and this week I was able to do that," the second year outfielder said as he stood by his locker with a can of Bud Light in his hand.
At 0-2, the Beacons have a chance to reach 500 this Sunday when they a double header at GoldStar Park versus P. Hussey and Station House at 3:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. respectively.
Beacons fans can pay a single admission to attend both games.

Beacons to host Navy Yard, league champs, in Friday Night Softball

ROLLINSFORD -- The Beacons will have another test when they take on Navy Yard, the defending Dover Co-Rec League champions, Friday evening at GoldStar Park.
The two teams actually played some competitive games last season and the Beacons are anxious to show they can play with Navy Yard or any other team in the league.
"We know they are good and we respect everything they have accomplished," said Beacons GM and Coach Bob Cook. "The keys for us will be to score some runs early and play better defense. If we can do that, we can give ourselves a chance to win."
The Beacons come into Friday's game 0-1 after dropping the season opener to Station House, 23-17. Navy Yard is already tearing up the league at 2-0.
Look for Jason Claffey to lead off and for Cook to be the starting pitcher. First pitch is at 6 p.m.

Beacons comeback stalls; Drop opener to Station House, 23-17

ROLLINSFORD -- There was a lot on the line for interim Beacons skipper Jason Claffey -- a case of Harpoon IPA beer -- if he could make good on his promise to deliver a win for the absent Coach Bob Cook.
The team responded with 17 runs and some great defensive plays including a diving catch in centerfield by Claffey, but it wasn't enough to overcome Station House, one of the Dover Co-Rec Leagues more seasoned teams.
The two teams sparred early trading the lead in the first inning before Station House exploded with 11 runs and two towering homeruns in the second inning off Beacons starting pitcher Phil ?Fernald.
The Beacons were also forced to take an out during parts of the game after Beacons first baseman Diana Kitteridge had to leave the game in the second with an undisclosed hand injury. But the Beacons kept scoring runs to keep pace with Station House which was like trying to catch a runaway train.
Still, Claffey said the Beacons had their chances to overtake Station House and stop bleeding, but just couldn't do it.
"I thought we played really well and we almost beat those guys on a day when we were a little short staffed," said Claffey, who agreed to assume Cook's coaching duties. Cook was unable to be at the game because of a pressing personal matter.
"All in all, we proved we can score runs when we have to and that help us win some games this season," Claffey said.
As for the Harpoon IPA, Cook said it will have to wait until the team wins its first game of the 2009 season. Next on deck Friday at 6 p.m. is Navy Yard. Hopefully, Cook will keep the beer on ice.

Beacons shine on! Team sports strong defense, charged offense in two games

ROLLINSFORD -- The new look Beacons flashed some good gloves and hit for power generating as many as 17 runs in two exhibition tournament games last weekend.
With a blend of stellar veterans like Bob Dawber, Sonny Ecker and Kim Lundquist and stand out second-year players like Jason Claffey, Jessica Singer and Diana Kitteridge, the 2009 version of this team should do great things when the season begins in earnest Tuesday night versus Post 47.
Over the weekend, the Beacons lost a close one to Varney's Cleaners, 7-5, and then a slug fest to Awarness, 19-12, in the one-pitch tournament. But Beacons fans got to see a real glimpse of the strong defense flashed by third baseman Bob Dawber, first baseman Todd Young and some strong pitching by veteran hurler Phil Fernald.
Other newcomers this season include Steph Collins, shortstop Steve Clegg, Robin Fernald, Tim Demers, and Ray Claverie. The Beacons are also fortunate to welcome back steady gloveman Rick Coughlin, sure-handed short fielder Leslie Bosignani and power hitting outfielder Todd Bosignani (Leslie's husband), perennial all-star Jeremy Knowles. Kendra Finch, and Justin and Molly Palmer, another dynamic husband and wife duo, also returned to the team this season.
Beacons Manager Bob Cook describes his team this way, "Depth, depth and more depth. We wanted to make sure we would always have enough players the whole season."
Cook believes the Beacons will generate plenty of offense and sport a better defense, which proved so elusive in 2008.
"If we can play better defense and not give away too many runs, we will be right in every game and we should be a force to be reckoned with," said the second-year coach.