A-TEAM GOES 2 AND OUT IN FLINT/RECORDER TOURNY

6 RUN COMEBACK VS MOHAWKS FALLS SHORT IN 10-8 LOSS

PAV ROCKS 4 HRS IN 18-6 ROUT OF A-TEAM IN GAME TWO

September 4, 2010
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Mohawks 6 0 2 0 0 0 2 10 11 1
A Team 1 0 0 0 1 6 0 8 15 2

Flint (W), Lennon (6) and Quist

Nelson, Brinkman (2, L), and Beck

Game 2 vs PAV
1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
A-Team 0 0 0 3 1 2 6 6 6
PAV 2 12 2 0 2 1 18 15 1

Nelson (L), Brinkman (2), Hartig (5) and Dygon

Terwilliger (W), Rodecker (4), and David



2010 A-Team Tournament Team
The 2010 version of the A-Team took the field with high expectations in the 2010 Flint/Recorder Softball Tournament. Showing resiliency and moxy, the A softballers came from 6 runs down in Game 1 vs The Mohawks to tie the game at 8 before losing 10-8. Game 2 was a disaster from the start as PAV belted out 4 homeruns and took a 14-0 lead before the A-Team scored a run. Despite the failure on the field, this team of players who considered Rich Auricchio and John Merendo friends, got together to play in their memory and reminence about past times.

The 2010 A-Team posed for this photo on "The Hill." Front row: Shaun Krutz, Mike Carter, Matt Beck, Bobby Lopuch, Hap Hartig, and Danny Auricchio. Back row: Marty Tambasco, Josh Brinkman, Donnie Reksc, Pete Pawling, Nyle Nelson, Paul Brinkman, Charlie Carter and Ray Fyfe.

Diamond Notes had the zoom lens working overtime while catching Post 701 favorites along with the father/son star duo of Paul and Josh Brinkman. DN also caught the AFI connection of Donnie Reksc and Pete Pawling in action with Pete preforming the rare feat of knocking in two runs on one sac fly.

Despite the two losses on Saturday the A-Team stars could be spotted with a smile. Shorty's star lefty Paul Brinkman and his fellow Post 701 teammates Charlie Carter, Ray Fyfe, Bobby Lopuch and Nyle Nelson were all seen at the Lynch #1 softball diamond with a few players starting early with the 12 ounce refreshments.

PHOTOS OF THE GAME

Joe Taylor shows good form in skying out to center while the A Teams top run producer Josh Brinkman was captured by Diamond Notes on his home run swing in his first at bat in the 2010 Tourny. EJ Whitty swings at an outside pitch and grounds out to second. AFI star Pete Pawling singles in his first at bat in the first inning while Matt Beck pops to second. Marty Tambasco goes with the pitch and bloops and rbi single to right in the sixth. The 13 year veteran of shortstop play for the Post 701ers Bobby Lopuch makes another great play for the third out in the 5th inning of game one. Shorty's all-star lefty Paul Brinkman got the zoom in treatment by Diamond Notes as he fired a strike vs The Mohawks. Aaron Kelly was caught by the digital lens as he smacked a single and eventually scored in the A Team's 6 run sixth inning in game one.

A TEAM WITH YANKEE CAR

Don Brown is a 63 year old Mickey Mantle fan on a mission. That mission is to raise organ donation awareness throughout his visits to not only various spots in New York State, but around the country as well. Wearing his Yankee cap along with a Mickey Mantle jersey, Mr. Brown took the time to pose with the 2010 A Team in his 2004 Thunderbird convertable complete with pinstripes and the interlocking NY. Although it was tough for Danny Auricchio, Bobby Lopuch, Aaron Kelly and Mike Andrews (all New York Met fans), they posed with the rest of the team. From left to right, those players are Skipper Matt Beck, Josh Brinkman, Donnie Reksc, EJ Whitty, Ron Dygon, Mike Andrews, Bobby Lopuch, Ray Fyfe, Paul Brinkman, Marty Tambasco, Mike Carter, Pete Pawling, Aaron Kelly, Hap Hartig, Danny Auricchio and Shaun Krutz.

Matt Beck is seen talking strategy with Post teammate Bobby Lopuch in the later innings vs The Mohawks. However, the New York Post reported that strategy was not the topic of conversation as the A Team Manager wanted to insure that all beer was on ice on "The Hill." Beck was seen in a later shot grimacing when told that more ice had to be ordered. A Team teammates Ray Fyfe and Pete Pawling are seen with intent looks as they watch Herks in action on Lynch #3. Post veterans Nyle Nelson and Bobby Lopuch enjoy a good laugh following the brief two and out day. Nyle Nelson, Paul Brinkman and Marty Tambasco, with over 100 years of recreational softball experience pose for this DN exclusive. Bobby Lopuch, Danny Auricchio, Chuckie Carter, Matt Beck and Hap Hartig are all seen having a good time on "The Hill."


The 2010 version of the A-Team hit better than the 2009 team .356 to .316 and scored 4 more runs. However, that is where the plus signs end. Last years edition had a +/- ratio in runs scored of -12. This year, the +/- was five runs worse at -17. Last years team gave up 19 runs while this years squad gave up 28 runs and made an unacceptable 9 errors. The A Team has 12 months to sharpen up try once again to get to Sunday's bracket, but hey, at least the beer was cold!!!

Ralph Tambasco was a force for PAV in game two lining a single and hitting a long triple in game two. DN got this exclusive on Ralph's swing on his triple. Big Joe Taylor is seen on deck waiting to get into the action. Veteans Ray Fyfe and Donnie Reksc were spotted following the games sharing a cold one and a few laughs.


MORE PHOTOS TO COME SHORTLY