Yavneh Youth League (YYL) concluded its 2015 season on Sunday, June 14 with four championship games, and an ice cream party for its youngest (First Grade Instructional) division. Game summaries are below. YYL offers particular thanks to its team’s coaches, and to parents of the league who partner with us to create Good Athletes and Great Sports.
Junior Boys Division: Resume Your Career Pirates over the Lippe Gastroenterology Nationals
With great teamwork and tremendous sportsmanship, the Resume Your Career Pirates finished off their undefeated season with an extra innings 10-9 win against the very talented Lippe Gastroenterology Nationals. The Pirates began the scoring in the first inning, thanks in part to a lead off hit by Doniel Fleischman and an RBI single by Yoel Goldstein. In what was a defensive battle most of the game thereafter, the Pirates were able to break through on late home runs by Akiva Gelernter and Eitan Rochwarger and a winning RBI single from Yehuda Farajun which scored Yissachar Zauderer. Yonah Mandel flashed some leather with a great backhand stab at second base and there were other fine defensive plays made by Yakov Frischman, Dov Klar, Yissie Kirshner, Ben Balsam and Etan Mincer. Although Noam Landesman wasn’t able to attend the championship game, he was a major reason the Pirates were there, with great offensive and defensive performances during the playoffs.
Junior Girls Division: County Draperies Yankees over the Links Residential – Nina Eizikovitz Indians
The Indians hadn’t won a game all year, and they entered the playoffs as heavy underdogs. But they didn’t seem to know it, winning their “play-in” game handily and “shocking the YYL world” by beating their previous undefeated opponent in the semi-finals. But that was to be all for the Links Residential – Nina Eizikovitz Indians as they met a very resilient Yankees squad. Relying on consistent excellent play from upper-class women Sarah Motechin, Malkie Rosenberg and Tiferet Strulowitz, the County Draperies Yankees ended the Indian’s playoff run, capturing the Junior Girls Championship.
Senior Boys Division: Diconza Traurig Kadish LLP Diamondbacks over the Zadies Bake Shop Brewers
In their previous meeting this season, the top seeded Brewers beat the Diamondbacks by a score of 20-6. But that D’Backs team was missing their leader and pitcher, Avraham Kahan, and this game would be different. Despite missing a ‘D’ on their jerseys, these “Diamonbacks” showed that their “D” was on the field. After squeaking out a run in the top of the first inning, following a triple by Ethan Kesler, the D’Backs let the Zadies Bake Shop load the bases in the bottom of the inning before managing to get out of the inning unharmed. The Brewers never came closer to scoring this game, shut down by the fine play all around that was anchored by shortstop Ari Sher and first baseman Avi Weiskopf, and strengthened by the reliable play of Noah and Adam Gluck. The D’Backs plated a few more runs, before blowing the game open in the sixth inning. In the end, they only needed one as Diconza Traurig Kadish LLP took the Senior Boys Division Championship impressively, with an 8-0 shutout win. Seventh grade Diamondback Eli Schachter thanked his coaches and noted how happy he was to be part of a championship team for the first time in his YYL career: “It’s a feeling that you get when you try really hard and then get to this point. It just feels good inside.”
Senior Girls Division: Carly’z Craze Cardinals over the A-1 Appliance Astros
With just one eighth grade girl on the team, the Cardinals entered the Senior Girls Championship game as the favorite, against the A-1 Appliance Astros, who they had beaten earlier in the season. It was a close game throughout, with the Cardinals clutching to a 3-2 lead until Maya Wasserman (their lone eighth grader) hit a solo home run, giving the Cards some much needed insurance. Behind the pitching of Tamar Wiederkher and Avigayil Kahn, and the solid defense of Eliana Herman, Tali Finkelstein, Kayla Spinowitz and Adina Pearlman, Carly’z Craze took the rematch and the Senior Girls Championship by a score of 4-2.
Instructional Division (First Grade)
Comprised of four teams and many adult volunteers, led by John Lofstock and Zev Safran, YYL’s Instructional Division concluded its season in fine fashion on Sunday. The 8th Day Caterers Royals, Camp Shalom Padres, Campmor Cubs, and Marcel Studios WhiteSox all finished their season with some last session instruction, gameplay and ice cream. Each player received a bobble-head to commemorate their participation in the league and these littlest all-stars, many of whom came into the league with apprehension, left with smiles, a little more self-confidence and a few new friends.
