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05/13/2024 01:28 AMWeek Two of the Deep River Horseshoe League started with a traditional blessing from Reverend Haut of the First Congregational Church. He said he has been watching the league for over 40 years and knows when he sees the players gathering on the green each year that spring is definitely here. Everyone took a moment to remember the players who have passed over the years and who had been an integral part to the league's success.
Members were very thankful for the week’s weather as compared to week one, and it was reflected in the scoring by the "B" division players, who scored over 300 more points above last week’s total. Many players said they didn't want to offer any excuses for their first week's scores, saying “it's just the first week,” but when pressed, they said “it was the weather.” 35 of the 49 players who played in the first week improved in one or more of the six scoring categories in week two.
In the annual Father/Son match, Mike Zanelli Jr.'s Braves bested Mike Zanelli Sr.'s Giants, winning 5-1 to take over first place. Mike Sr.'s scoring has been off a little while he continues to rehab a right shoulder soreness, but his 120-point series (one better than last week) beat Mike Jr. by 21 points. This was Mike Jr.'s first series of less than 100 points since June 2021.
Kris Toohey’s Cardinals swept Sheryl Serviss's Tigers. Toohey and Serviss matched their last week's series scores with 128 points and 104 points, respectively. Toohey was the second leading "A" division scorer, and the Cardinals are currently in second place.
Three teams are tied for third place. John Durinick's Orioles knocked Butch Carotenuto's Dodgers from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 4-2 win, thanks in part to John O'Brien's 75-point series in his first match of the season, and it helped the team take the scoring honors for the night with 291 points. John Hutra's Marlins defeated Mike Didomizio's Rockies 4-2. It was Hutra’s first match of the season, as he and Mark Goodale each topped the century mark. The team was second in team scoring with 288 points. Tony Cutone's Angels split with Bill Beckwith's Red Sox. Beckwith retained his first place scoring lead with a 129-point series.
Chip Goodrich's Diamondbacks blanked Bob Cifaldi's Mets 6-0. Goodrich is returning to league play after being away from the game for several years. His 126-point series was just shy of making the top three in scoring for "A" division players. However, Diamondbacks’ Brian Walsh rebounded from a slow start last week with a 77-point series to take third in "C" division scoring.
Peter Furmonavicius was a substitute on the Red Sox team last week. He had never played horseshoes and only spent about two hours with a league member learning the game and doing some practice. The results of his first match are most noteworthy and hold a bright future for his game. These stats included 73 points, eight ringers, one double, and a high game of 29 points.
After being whitewashed last week, Pudge Goodrich's Reds changed shoes and rebounded with a 4-2 win over Joe Heery's Rangers. The credit goes to the "B" and "C" players. Dennis Goodrich's 107-point series was the third leading score for "B" division, and Mike Beckwith's 79-point series was the second leading score for "C" division. Heery was the third leading scorer for "A" division with a 127-point series.
Yankees’ Damin Roberts was the top "B" division scorer with a 117-point series, as the Yankees split with Brady Miller’s White Sox. Miller had the high game for "A" division with 42 points, 11 ringers, and three doubles. In only his second match, White Sox rookie sensation Hunter Beckwith came within five points of hitting the century mark. The Yankees and White Sox split their match.
Pirates’ Harvey Strausser's 102 series led the "C" division scorers and propelled the Pirates to a 4-2 win over the Cubs. Cubs’ Jeremy Davis was the "B" division's second leading scorer with a 116-point series. In addition, he had the high game of the night for "B" division with 42 points, 11 ringers, and one double.