Parrotheads take down Collins Sports, 13-5

The Parrotheads wasted no time in beating up on the now 1-2 Collins Sports Thursday evening at Goldstar Park.
All it took to secure the team's second W was a nine-run second inning that was full of walks, misplayed flyballs in the outfield due to a merciless sun that refused to set, and some timely hits. The Parrotheads ran out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back.
Starting pitcher Justin Palmer pitched a complete game and struck out two. Leftfielder Jason Claffey made his share of running catches and also collected a few hits in the win and veteran Bob Cook went 4-4 and knocked in another two runs to help the team to its 2-1 record.
Centerfielder Adrian Alfond turned in one of the most impressive games when he hit a bases clearing triple and made a diving catch to help keep Collins Sports in check. A botched call at homeplate by the umpire that allowed a Collins Sports run combined with a little chippiness borne out of frustration by some Collins Sports players nearly boiled over into an on the field scrum with Palmer leading the charge, but thankfully, cooler heads prevailed.
"Overall, it was a good win for us. Everybody contributed and we had some great defense. We continue to hit the ball and score runs and we are starting to get some confidence," Palmer said.
The first-year coach has already won one more game this season than his former team, The Beacons, won in all of 2009.
The Parrotheads will now take a much deserved week off after tearing it up in May and will play a make-up game versus Post 47 on June 7.
As the team departed for the parking lot, Cook advised his teammates, "Just chill out, get in touch with your innermost selves and find your happy place."

Now on deck: Collins Sports

The Parrotheads will have an opportunity to break the .500 barrier when they take on Collins Sports Thursday night at the old ballyard.
Last year’s Beacons, the Parrotheads’ forebearers, had some tight games versus Collins Sports and notched their lone win of the 2009 season against them. Former Beacons utility fielder Todd Young signed on with Collins Sports via free agency and eager to play some of his old teammates.
“I hear those guys have a good team and we do, too,” said Young. “It should be a good game.”
The Parrotheads won their first game of the young 2010 season on Sunday when they defeated Lavin Bros., 17-7, with veteran Bob Cook leading the way with three highs and six RBIs. Look for Coach Justin Palmer to take the hill on Thursday with Cook possibly coming out of the bullpen late. Jason Claffey, the Parrotheads’ standout centerfielder, showed some signs of life at the plate on Sunday with a pair of hits and could be on the cusp of a real breakout game. His offense is often fueled by his defense, which was spectacular on Sunday.
“What I really like about our team is that we haven’t even played our best game yet,” said Cook.
First pitch at GoldStar Park in Rollinsford is at 6 p.m.

Parrotheads soar in win over Lavin Bros., 17-7

Parrotheads fans had plenty to cheer about Sunday as they watched their team overcome an early 6-3 deficit and turn into a solid 17-7 victory to reach .500.
Bob Cook went 3-5, knocked in six RBIs and scored two runs. Coach Justin Palmer pitched stellar relief through four innings and centerfielder Jason Claffey made some spectacular catches, one of which that resulted in a double play where Claffey doubled up the runner at first after tumbling with a snow cone in his glove was taken away by an errant umpire call.
The Parrotheads also featured some strong defense from other key players all over the infield and rattled Lavin Bros. players at every turn. Cook was king when he came up with the bases juiced on two ocassions and hit sharp singles to left field.
"I just felt really good at the plate and I knew I was hitting the ball well. The first two times I hit some shots right at the left fielder, but I knew I would eventually find some turf," said Cook, who started the game and pitched three innings before moving over the first base.
Palmer, who won his first game as a big league softball manager just two games into the season, was all smiles when it was over.
"I really like our team. We all rallied when we needed to and everybody played well. This is what we are capable of doing every time out. This is going to be a great season for us," said Palmer.
Claffey, who played on two lackluster Beacons teams the past two years, also basked in the glow of victory.
"It feels good to win, that's for sure," said the third-year outfielder who made a stupendous running catch in the gap right up against the center field fence in the fifth inning as he was running out of real estate.
"That drive had extra bases written all over it," said Cook. "But somehow I knew Claffman would catch up to it."
The Parrotheads next game is this Thursday at Goldstar Park against Collins Sports at 6 p.m.

Feathers, field too wet to play

The Parrotheads game versus Post 47 Wednesday night was postponed due to rain and will be made up at a date to be determined.
Team members were disappointed they did not have a chance to take the field at GoldStar Park and go for the franchise's first win after losing the season-opener on Sunday afternoon to Sal's Pizza.
The team's next game is on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Goldstar Park.

Order to go: Sal’s Pizza spoils Parrotheads home opener

The final score of 15-4 didn’t really tell the whole story about the Parrotheads loss to Sal’s Pizza on Sunday afternoon.
The team actually displayed some strong defense and pitching for most of the game until Parrotheads starting pitcher Bob Cook walked a few too many batters and Sal’s Pizza, a.k.a. the former Merrill Radiator, exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the 5th inning before Cook gave way to reliever Justin Palmer in the top of the 6th.
The Parrotheads’ offense sputtered at times until the team managed to string together a few hits and walks and got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the 4rth inning followed by two more in the bottom of the sixth. But the more seasoned Sal’s Pizza squad kept peppering Parrotheads pitchers with too many pepperoni, mushroom, sausage and achovy hits.
First year coach Palmer still liked what he saw at GoldStar Park.
“It was a learning curve for us,” he said. “We played pretty well and we didn’t give up any big hits. I think that as the season goes on, we will get better and rack up our share of wins.”
Veteran softballer Cook, the former coach and GM of the Beacons, said he was pleased with how he pitched the first three innings, but admitted he lost is control in the fourth inning.
“I was a little rusty on the mound and I managed to get through the first three innings with just four runs, but I just wasn’t able to keep them off-balance after the fourth,” said Cook, who also had a pair of singles on the day.
The team’s next game will be on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Goldstar versus Post 47.