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.
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