Dan Lippert Wins It It For "Pap"

By Josh Yohe, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS

Dan Lippert possesses the most talented teammates a Daily News League player can have. Among Bowser`s most valuable role players, Lippert is convinced he had more help than usual Thursday at Baker Field. Pitching only 24 hours after learning of his grandfather`s death, Lippert tossed a one-hitter, as Bowser routed Clancy`s, 13-1. "This one was for 'Pap'" Lippert said. "I could feel that he was looking down on me. It helped me pitch such of a good game."
Lippert had been scheduled to pitch against Quinn Construction on Wednesday, only to hear that his grandfather, Bill Lippert, had passed away. One night later, Lippert wanted the ball. Lippert, a quiet and respectable fellow on a team of renegades, has a history of performing surprisingly well on the mound. He permitted just two base-runners in four innings before making way for Jeff Griner, who allowed a run in the fifth before the "12-run rule" was enforced.
"Everything was working for me tonight," Lippert said. "It was a very nice feeling to be able to throw that kind of a game." It`s been a very nice week for the six-time defending champs.
Bowser has flexed its muscles in three blowout victories in the past four days, accumulating 46 runs. In fact, the Twins` offensive exploits are recalling the dynasty`s heyday in 2005 and ‘06, when Bowser regularly ended games in fewer than seven innings. "I don`t know if we`re to that level yet," Bowser manager Andy Brettschneider said. "But we`re getting close." Bowser`s offensive punch is becoming the league`s biggest story.
• The Twins have scored in double figures in six of their 10 games.
• Bowser has scored 109 runs in 10 games, an average of 10.9 runs per game.
• Regulars Kyle Lucot, Dalaine Ofchinick, Jim Onder, Corey Rodgers, Paul Adams and Sean Samsa are all hitting .500 or better.
"I just like our whole approach at the plate right now," Brettschneider said. "And I also enjoy having games over by 7:20 p.m. This was a great night." Despite playing without regulars Rodgers and Jared Frye, Bowser`s offense overwhelmed Clancy`s starter Chris Douglas.
One of two DNL pitchers to throw a no-hitter at Bowser over the past six seasons, Douglas had no such luck against the Twins on this night, allowing a run in the first and four in the second. "I didn`t even think he threw a bad game," Clancy`s manager Lou Kammermeier said. "That is a very good lineup he had to deal with, and we had about four guys playing out of position. When we have everyone here, we`re a pretty darn good team. But we didn`t have that tonight." Kammermeier wasn`t thrilled with his team`s performance but predicts better things for his team`s game on Saturday against Graham`s Service. "I guarantee you we will win that game," he said. "That`s a guarantee." Other DNL managers probably won`t be quite as quick to make promises when dealing with Bowser. The six-time champs are clearly in top form. Ofchinick, who vowed to win his second career batting title before the season, improved his average above .500 with a 3 for 3 performance. The resurgent Adams continued his outstanding play, driving in four runs. "Paul`s been a better player ever since he came to play with us," Brettschneider said. "There`s something about being a Twin that brings out the best in a ballplayer." In classic Bowser fashion, members of Brettschneider`s team all switched positions during the game`s final inning. "We were having some fun out there," Brettschneider said. "When you`re playing like we are, you should be having some fun."

Date: June 16, 2011     Time: 6:00pm      Venue: Baker Park