The WhizKids and Yankees squared off last night in Game 1 of the best of 3 semifinals series. (Thanks to Dennis Lane, the Watervliet field was in great condition!). The Yankees took a 1-0 lead on a leadoff double by Joe Carrecia, and a 2-out single by Darrell Duncan. The WhizKids threatened in the bottom of the third. After a fly ball to left, Duncan hit the next two batters, giving him three for the game, and leading to his removal from the mound. Jon Atwell induced a double play groundout to end the inning.

The Yankees extended their lead to 2-0 in the fourth. Rich Royka singled to start the inning, and Steve VanGelder singled him home. The WhizKids rallied in the bottom of the frame, as they batted around the order. Gene Hallenbeck was hit by a pitch (his second of the game), followed by Mike Kane and Jan Friedman with singles. After a sac fly by Joe Burns, Pete Geanellis had a run scoring single. A walk and an error brought Bob Bolt to the plate, and he delivered a 2-run double to make the score 6-2 Whiz.

They made it 8-2 in the fifth, when Hallenbeck singled, and scored on a double by Kane. Burns had a 1-out single to drive in Kane.

The Yankees got one run back in the sixth, when Andy Pedone, who had two hits in the game, walked, and scored on a 1-out single by Mark Marshall. The inning ended when Bolt caught a fly ball in right, then threw a perfect strike to the plate to get the runner trying to score from third.

The WhizKids responded with 2 runs in the sixth. Bob Holmes led off with a single. Dave Sirani was hit by a pitch, his third of the game, and Atwell had to vacate the mound. Bolt followed with a single, and Hallenbeck knocked in the final two runs with a single.

Final score, WhizKids 10, Yankees 3. Next game is scheduled for Wednesday at the A diamond. Rain in the forecast. Again.