Hotwings take care of business, win softball title

The Hotwings were in unfamiliar territory Monday at Riddle Field.

The team “” which usually plays its games at mid-week as one of five teams in the Wednesday League of the Laguna Beach 16” winter softball leagues “” played its final regular season game two days earlier due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Playing earlier did little to deter the Hotwings, who, for the first time, came away with the league title following a 19-4 mercy-rule victory over the Compound Fractures.

Hotwings highlights included the pitching of Shaun MacGillivray, home-run hitting provided by Trigg Garner, the base-running of Aaron Talarico and the solid defensive play of first baseman Paul Wolsey and outfielders Jimmy Hanna and Mike Zingale.

The Hotwings faced a must-win situation Monday.

A loss would drop them into second place and give the Angels the league title.

The Hotwings ended the regular season with a 6-1-1 record to edge out the Angels (6-2) for the top spot.

“I’m excited that we finally claimed the title this season,” Hotwings Coach Jonathon Cohen said.

“In the past, we’ve looked like the Bad News Bears out there. Over the years, I’ve really got to know the players well and now I’m not just a coach, but a friend and a mentor.

“Sometimes it gets pretty intense on the field and I have to remind the guys to just have fun, but always consult the matrix.”

The Hotwings are: Kirt Boultinghouse, Shaun MacGillivray, Clarke Brogger, Trigg Garner, Paul Wolsey, Jimmy Hanna, Bob Jameson, Aaron Talarico, Mike Zingale, Jonathon Cohen, Louis Weil and Benjamin Cohen.

?

Final league standings

Tuesday League: 1. Sandpiper, 7-1; 2. Team Hobie, 6-2; 3. Red Rum, 3-5; 4T. Ganahl Lumber, Vipers Minions, 2-6.

Wednesday League: 1. Hotwings, 6-1-1; 2. Angels, 6-2; 3. Hamstrings, 3-5; 4. Compound Fractures, 2-5-1; 5. Giraffes, 2-6.

“” Mike Sciacca