In a game that was lacking offense but featured very effective pitching by both sides, Southside takes game one when they plate three late runs.

The Simpson Club opened the scoring when they took advantage of a couple of miscues and got a timely hit by Matt Savage, 2-0. Southside responded in the bottom of the third when lefty Sam MacDonald hit another one of his line drive doubles to right center, 2-1. MacDonald then scored the tying run on Miguel Dupree's (3 hits, 3 RBI) single.

Simpson Club regained the lead in the fourth when Scott Simpson led off with a double and was chased home by Mike Garland's single, 3-2. The boys in white then loaded the bases and had the top of the order up. However, pitcher Javy Lopez weasled out of the jam by producing an infield pop up and a routine fly ball out. The lack of additional runs in this spot would come back to haunt the Simpson Club.

The game moved to the bottom of the fifth with Simpson still clinging to a 3-2 lead. Southside loaded the bases for MacDonald but the steady hitter lost the battle to pitcher Mike Garland and hit an infield fly. Now with two outs and the bases still loaded, Miguel Dupree stepped into the batter's box. Dupree ripped a double to left center that scored two but got the trailing runner thrown out at the plate, 4-3 Southside.

In the sixth, things got out of hand as they sometimes do in the heat of the battle. With runners on first and second, Matt Savage hit a grounder to the second baseman that was handled and tossed to second for the force out. However, the shortstop appeared to have dropped the ball but the umpire had called out the baserunner. There was an argument and threats an dmore arguing and more threats. When things finally cooled down the inning came to an end on a routine fly out. With a safe call here the thinking is that Simpson Club would have at least tied the game but who knows as the next batter could have struck out and made it all moot.

In any case, with the feeling that they had been robbed of an opportunity if not at least a run, the Simpson Club gave up another in the bottom of the sixth and then went down 1-2-3 in the seventh. They will need to quickly put this one behind them or face the daunting task of needing to win three in a row.

Mike Lush made an outstanding play in the second inning when he snagged a ball that was hit over his head and beyond his glove hand reach...so he caught it with his bare hand. Outstanding!

Mike Lush sports his "Play for a Purpose"
shirt in memory of Pat Simpson

After a scoreless first inning, the Simpson Club's offense erupted in the bottom of the second inning by scoring seven runs and then coasted to a series tying victory over Southside Tavern.

With one out and bases loaded, Pat Triggs opened the scoring with a hard hit single. Matt Savage then followed with another single that drove in two more runs, 3-0. Chris Flaherty got in the act with a RBI single and then Mark Goodman was walked to reload the bases. At this point, the bullpen was stirring for Southside as MVP pitcher Jason Calnan was getting roughed up on the mound. Before getting pulled Calnan was touched up for two more runs on Mike "Playing for a Purpose" Lush's two run single, 6-0. Taking over was Javy Colon who has been excellent on the mound this year. The former shortstop yielded a run on a fielder's choice then got the next batter to end the inning, 7-0.

Southside cut into the lead in the fourth when Simpson's pitcher, Mike Garland, ran into his own problems. Garland, who has great control, was struggling (9 walks) to find the plate on this night. In fact, he walked the bases loaded and then gave up a run via a walk to Colon, 7-1. With the Simpson Club fielder's getting antsy but with nowhere to turn they gathered at the mound to pick up their burly pitcher. A ground out scored another run but then Garland escaped the jam with a routine fly out, 7-2.

Southside loaded the bases again in the fifth which brought on more anxious moments but Garland minimized the damage by giving up just a run, 7-3. The Simpson Club answered with two runs in the home half of the inning on RBI hits by Scott Simpson and Pat Triggs, 9-3.

Again, Southside loaded the bases in the sixth but couldn't get that one big hit to put them back in the game. Instead, they settled for a single run and wondered what could have been, 9-4. Simpson's offense finally broke through against a laboring Colon (sore knee) in the bottom of the sixth when Garland doubled home two runs and later scored on another Triggs single, 13-4.

Southside went down in order in the seventh and we had a tied series (1-1). The teams will take a break and resume on Monday with a big game three. Simpson Club clearly has the momentum now but the experience of the Southside team can quickly turn that around.

  
Simpson Club's pitcher Mike Garland and thirdbaseman Pat Sullivan

The Pat Simpson Club scored eight runs in the first inning to chase starting pitcher Miguel Dupree, and never trailed as they win easily and go ahead 2-1 in the Lucas finals.

Control issues and a few timely hits were to blame in this one as Dupree lost the ability to throw strikes. With two outs and two Simpson hitters already on by way of walks, Dupree then walked Brian Hurld to load the bases for Scott Simpson. The strong righty waited for his pitch and then lined a double to left center that scored two, 2-0. Another walk loaded the bases for Jeff Kasper. On a team of stars, Kasper doesn't draw a lot of attention but he is one of their talented "under the radar" players. With one swing, Kasper cleared the bases and put Simpson up 5-0. The scoring wasn't complete, another walk followed by a RBI single by Matt Savage made it 6-0. Chris Flaherty capped the scoring off with another timely hit, 8-0 and it was the end of the night on the mound for Dupree.

Championship teams know how to respond when down and that's exactly what Southside did in the bottom of the second. With two runners on base and one out, Gio Colon laced a double to left making it 8-2. An error followed and suddenly the Simpson Club was playing tight. Kevin Ohara made it 8-3 with a single to center, Dupree made it 8-5 with another single as Ohara barked "here we come!"

However, this version of the Simpson Club wasn't about to let the champions off the ropes...at least not easily. In the top of the third, a lead off triple by Chris Flaherty got the scoring started. Mark Goodman then followed with a RBI single making it 9-5. Mike Lush followed with a clutch double and Simpson was back up and feeling good again, 12-5.

Pitcher Mike Garland then retired the side in order in the third and one could feel this was Simpson's night. After a quiet fourth inning with no scoring, Simpson's offense went back to work in the fifth. With the bases loaded, Lush came through with his second big hit of the game when he cleared the fences with a three run home run, 15-5. A double to Bulman and Hurld led to another run, 16-5. Garland brought Hurld in with a sacrifice fly, 17-5. Kasper, Pat Sullivan, and Savage got in the act and before you knew it, the Simpson Club had blown this wide open, 19-5.

Needing three runs to avoid the "12 run mercy rule", Southside managed to load the bases in the bottom of the fifth but couldn't push any runs across as they fell hard in game three and will need to regroup to even the series in game four.

The Pat Simpson Club rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning to win their first M Street Championship that set off a wild celebration and firework display.

The three time defending champion Southside Tavern showed up with their game faces on and were ready to even the series from the outset. In the first inning, Southside took a quick 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Vladi Camacho and Roger Peguero. Pitcher Jason Calnan then took the mound and with a blank stare and determined way about him; retired the side in order. Things were looking very good for Southside through an inning of play.

Simpson Club got on the scoreboard in the second when Mike Garland singled home Mike Bulman, 2-1. With both Garland and Calnan on top of their game, the same score stood until the top of the fourth inning. In the fourth, an error then a clutch two out RBI single by Peguero made it 3-1 Southside. The league officials were starting to make plans for a possible game five.

Garland set the side down in order in the fifth and sixth innings which kept Simpson within striking distance. Finally in the sixth the game took a major turn both on the scoreboard and in the noise level. Calnan retired the first two batters with ease - two infield ground outs but then Mark Goodman saw an opening and went for it. For strategic reasons, Southside had deployed a five infielder defense and went with three outfielders all game long. The outfielders were shifted far left for Goodman, who has been known as a dead pull hitter. With one peak to right, Goodman lined the first pitch he saw to right which went for a triple. As he pulled up to third base the stalky outfielder yelled, "come on, let's go!" Next up was Mike Lush who had been delivering key hits throughout the playoffs. On a 1-1 offering, Lush hit a missle to the left center gap that went for a double and easily plated Goodman, 3-2. With cow bells clanging from the stands and the Simpson Club going wild on the sideline, the pressure was now mounting on Southside and Calnan's shoulders.

Southside halted play and several players gathered at the mound to pick up their pitcher. "I got this, I'm Ok," Calnan reassured his team that he wasn't unraveling and that he felt he could get out of the inning with the lead. Mike Bulman stepped into the batter's box as fellow league official, Jim Sullivan, noted that Bulman is one of M Street's fastest runners. Calnan couldn't find the plate against Bulman and walked him on four pitches. Still up a run with two outs and two men on base, the Southside infielders gathered around their pitcher for another discussion - this one was lengthy. Team captain and brother of the team's namesake, Scott Simpson was the sixth batter of the inning. Simpson took a mighty rip at Calnan's first offering but fouled it off, 0-1. On a 1-1 count, Simpson hit a grounder to the right side of the infield that eluded everyone but was quickly cut off by Vladi Camacho in right field. Lush roared around third and raced towards home as Camacho's throw appeared to be on target. It was going to be close. The throw, arrived a bit high and towards the first base side, which catcher Luis Fonseca quickly snagged and spun around with a sweep tag. However, Lush had slid in head first just before the tag was applied to his back and we had a tied game, 3-3. The crowd was in a real frenzy now. After a brief discussion with home plate umpire Mike Lydon, Bulman was standing at third and Simpson had pulled up to second on the throw.

MVP - Mike Lush begins his slide at home

With Calnan a bit rattled and the Simpson Club going crazy, Southside discussed their strategy again and pitched around Garland to get to Jeff Kasper. Team bull horn/injured pitcher, Jerry Sarro, could be heard on every pitch...shouting encouragement to his batter while trying everything he could to get Calnan to lose his focus. "Get the cow bells going, get the cow bells going," yelled Sarro. Calnan fell behind 3-1 and for whatever reason, another discussion was held on the mound. The next pitch was in the dirt and in five pitches, as dramatic as this game was, Kasper had walked to force Bulman home and put Simpson ahead, 4-3. Calnan then recovered and produced and inning ending ground out and we were on to the seventh inning as it was suddenly last call for Southside.

At this point, Garland and his Simpson Club teammates could feel the championship victory was very near. One they had been searching for since they entered the league in 2016. Garland was on a role as he had retired seven straight batters with the last hit coming in the fourth inning. On the third pitch of the inning, the lefty Camacho lofted a fly ball to short left that looked as if it could fall for a leadoff hit but Goodman raced in and squeezed the out with two hands. Eight in a row. Next up was lefty hitter Roger Peguero, who also hit a fly to left but this was routine and easily handled by Goodman. Nine in a row retired by Garland and one out away from a championship. Javy Colon, who pitched Southside to the finals with his brilliant relief work in the Pirates series, was their last chance and was also a lefty. On a 1-2 count, Colon lifted another ball to left and this one had the same arc as the first out...destined to find grass. But Goodman, who started the rally in the sixth with a head's up triple, raced in and squeezed the final out. Garland had retired ten in a row and the Simpson Club were the 2019 Lucas ("A") champions.

MVP - Mike Garland fires the last pitch of the series

A wild celebration began at third base as relief, satisfaction, purpose, and reflection all poured over the players. The team quickly broke from the celebration to meet with Southside (who were very gracious in defeat) and exchange handshakes. Once that was out of the way, fireworks were set off from the pitcher's mound. Yes, real fireworks folks! Colorful star shells were exploding over the M Street field which was a beautiful site to see. Afterwards, the team gathered at home plate for the presentation of the M Street Cup. The massive 30lb league relic was placed at home plate as the players gathered around for a team photo. It was then announced that pitcher Mike Garland (7-2 in playoffs) and Mike Lush were named MVP's by the league commissioner (yours truly). After all the crazy celebrations were done, Scott Simpson and his parents gathered around the trophy for a photo and an emotional embrace. Tears flowed as they remembered their son and brother, Pat, who was looking down upon them all flashing his proud championship smile.

2019 Lucas Division ("A") Champions - Pat Simpson Club
Front row left to right - Matt Savage, Mike Bulman, Pat Sullivan, and Scott Simpson
Middle row left to right - Mr and Mrs Simpson, Brad Morrill, and Mark Goodman
Back row left to right - Mike Lush, Marc Coppola, Brian Hurld, Chris Flaherty, Jerry Sarro, Andrew Stover, Jeff Kasper, Pat Triggs, and Mike Garland.
Missing from the photo is Brian Goodman

Finally after two seasons in the making, the Pirates and Southside Tavern took the field in a meaningful playoff game. The defending champs (Southside) established themselves early when Christian Sanchez and Kevin Ohara hit RBI singles giving the Tavern a 3-0 lead. That score stood until the top of the fifth inning when the Pirates offense sprang to life with a six hit rally that put them on top to stay. Brad Cole got things started with a lead off single and scored on a fielder's choice. Mark Preziosi drew a bases loaded walk that made it 3-2. Pat Wilson then put the Pirates in front with a clutch two run single making it 4-3. The rally concluded with a Rob Rogers single that chased Preziosi home. The outcome of game one was back in the hands of the Pirates defense and pitcher, Brian Pacheco. Southside responded by loading the bases by a great 6-4-3 double play snuffed out the rally. Southside would threaten to score again in the sixth but it was the glove work of Cole and Preziosi who put a stop to it with a double play. The game moved to the seventh and it was last call for Southside, with two outs lefty Sam McDonald (3 hits) singled and was followed by Roger Peguero's double. With the tying runs in scoring position and the winning run at the plate, Pacheco got a ground out and game one was in the books.

Game 2: Tuesday, September 10th @ 7:30 PM
Southside Tavern 14 - Pirates 9 (9 innings)

In a game with many storylines and a classic back and forth battle, Southside gets three innings of shutout ball from relief pitcher Javy Colon and then scores five runs in extra innings to even the best of five series.

Where to begin? Let's start in the first...Brad Cole triples in the bottom of the first inning and the Pirates are on top, 3-0. That lead lasted for about five minutes as Southside answered in the top of the second with four runs of their own. Christian Sanchez had the key hit, a two run single which put Southside on top 4-3. Junior Tejeda (3 hits) extended the lead to 5-3 when he hit a solo home run in the fourth. However, this Pirates team isn't the same frustrated team that struggled through the regular season as they quickly responded with a four run inning. Charlie Conners (3 hits) and Mark Preziosi both came through with clutch hits, 7-5. The teams played a scoreless fifth and then the Southside offense rallied to plate another four runs. This time it was a double by Sam MacDonald, single by Miguel Dupree, and a single by Javy Colon that drove in the four runs, 9-7 Southside.

The game moved to the bottom of the seventh inning with Southside's pitcher, Jason Calnan, needing just three outs to even the series. Preziosi led off with a single and scored on Rob Rogers' clutch double making it 9-8 with the tying run in scoring position. The Pirates had Southside and the now laboring Calnan on the ropes. Rory Foley wasn't about to let them catch their breath as he promptly singled home the tying run and forced Calnan out of the game, 9-9. The ball is handed to Javy Colon who retires the next three batters forcing the game into extra innings. Due to light constraints, the game is suspended and the teams are sent home for the night.

Less than 24 hours later, pitcher Brian Pacheco threw a scoreless eighth to give his team a chance to win and take a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Pirates put runners on the corners with one out but Colon produces two pop up outs and escapes the jam. Mercy! Southside rewards Colon in the ninth when Tejeda singles home pinch hitter Danny Ekasala and is followed by a crushing two run home run by Vladi Camacho. Southside would score two more runs in the inning to take a 14-9 lead into the bottom of the ninth. The Pirates managed to put two base runners on but the hill was too big to climb and victory was snatched from their hands. Great, great game!

Game 3: Wednesday, September 11th @ 9PM
Southside Tavern 6 - Pirates 5 (9 innings)

Minutes after the thrilling conclusion to game two, the Pirates and Southside players had to refocus their attention on to playing game three. With the help of Charlie Conners, the league had extended the lights an extra hour and they would be needed as game three would also go into extra innings.

How does a team bounce back from a crushing loss? They score runs from the outset and that's exactly what the Pirates did in the first inning of game three. A walk to Conners followed by an infield error and a double by Marc Montesano who later scored, put the Pirates on the board 3-0. In the second, the Pirates picked up where they left off as they loaded the bases with nobody out. Josh Neely made it 4-0 with a sacrifice fly and Montesano drove home Ryan McLaughlin making it 5-0. Unfortunately, McLaughlin's run would be the last run scored. In fact, the Pirates didn't get a base runner past second base from the second inning on. Pitcher Javier Colon, shook off the rough start and threw SEVEN straight scoreless innings which was more than enough time for his team's offense to wake up.

Trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Pat Dolbeare connected for a solo homerun to give Southside some life. After a scoreless fifth, Danny Ekasala led off with a single and scored on Miguel Dupree's sacrifice fly. Vladi Camacho then followed with a triple that chased home Sam MacDonald to make it 5-4. Back to back walks loaded the bases for Junior Tejeda but pitcher Brian Pacheco escaped further damage. The game moved to the bottom of the seventh inning and this time it was Pacheco who would need the three outs to secure the win. It wasn't to be as a lead off single by Christian Sanchez, a single to Giovani Colon, and a walk to Ekasala all added up to the game tying run, 5-5.

In extra innings, the Pirates offense could do absolutely nothing against Colon - a walk in the eighth was all they could muster. As Colon was in his groove putting zeroes on the board since the second inning, it was just a matter of time before the Southside offense would reward him. It finally came in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and a runner (Sanchez) on second, Giovani Colon singled in the game winning run and set off the celebration.

Game 4: Thursday, September 12th @ 9PM

Southside Tavern 12 - Pirates 9

The Pirates had their backs against the ropes and would need a complete game win in game four of their best of five series tonight however, it wasn't to be. For the third game in a row they had a victory snatched out of their hands and had nothing to show for their efforts.

Thanks to a two run single by Mark Preziosi, things were looking good for three innings as they carried a 2-1 lead into the top of the fourth. Perhaps they got ahead of themselves thinking this was their night as plans were being made for a game five. Instead, Southside showed them who were the defending champions as they quickly turned the tables and put up a five spot on the scoreboard. In the uprising it was Vladi Camacho's game tying double and Junior Tejeda's bases clearing double that were the key hits in the inning, 6-2.

In the fifth, Camacho and Sam MacDonald (3 hits), who was playing with a heavy heart after losing his dad, came through with RBI hits making it 8-2 Southside. They would add another run in the sixth as this once close game was becoming an embarrassing laugher.

With their championship hopes on life support the Pirates would need to respond and they did - with vengeance. With runners on first and second with one out, Greg Bosse (3 doubles) got the scoring started in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI double, 9-4. Southside decides to walk Charlie Conners to load the bases for Brad Cole. The cool second baseman promptly made them pay with a two run double to right center, 9-6. The Pirates were chipping into the lead but still lots of work ahead of them. Marc Montesano then followed and got into the act with another clutch two run double, 9-8. With the game slipping away, Southside pulls their starter and inserts Javy Colon who is saddled with the task of not giving up the lead. Colon is greeted by a single but then gets a fielder's choice ground out. With a runner on second and two outs, M Street veteran Rob Rogers came through in another big moment with a game tying single. The Pirates had rallied for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game. Mercy!

The upbeat feelings that they carried to their defensive positions lasted for just a few moments as the unfazed Southside squad went to work in the seventh. Donis Gerdino led off the inning with a sharp single and was followed by Miguel Peguero's single. A poorly timed infield error then loaded the bases for Miguel Dupree, who has had a quiet series but led the team in RBI's with 26. Players with Miguel's talent thrive in these moments regardless of whether they're swinging a hot bat or not. On a 2-1 count, Dupree leaned into a pitch and lined it for a two run double putting Southside back on top, 11-9. Dupree came around to score later in the inning on a Roger Peguero single, 12-9.

The outcome was now in pitcher Colon's hands and the winner of game two and three knew how to get the job done. Three ground ball outs and the series was over. With the effort put forth the last three games, the Pirates deserved a better outcome or at least a game five but the champs would have none of it.

Southside wins series 3-1

The Simpson Club came out swinging as they scored six runs in the second inning behind homeruns from Mike Bulman and Chris Flaherty. The runs turned out to be enough for the victory as pitcher Mike Garland kept the Lincoln hitting attack in check. Bulman (5 RBI) added another homerun in the third and Mike Lush went deep in the fifth. Max Vigliotti was the lone star for Lincoln as he collected a pair of hits while driving in three runs.

Game 2: Tuesday, September 10th @ 6PM
Lincoln Tavern 9 - Simpson Club 5

Lincoln Tavern's Max Vigliotti (3 hits & 5 RBI) hit a 3-run homerun in the third inning and then got a shutdown pitching performance from Jack Atton as Lincoln ties the best of five series. The five run third inning chased Simpson's starter and also stopped the bleeding for the moment but it didn't matter as Simpson's bats were kept quiet. The two teams will play game three on Wednesday and then conclude the series with a doubleheader on Monday.

Game 3: Wednesday, September 11th @ 7:30 PM
Simpson Club 11 - Lincoln Tavern 8

The Pat Simpson Club handed pitcher Mike Garland an 11-1 lead and then held off Lincoln Tavern as they took game three of their best of five series.

Chris Flaherty got the scoring started in the first with another lead off home run to left. In the second, Pat Sullivan started the scoring when he singled home Scott Simpson from second base. Flaherty extended the lead with another RBI hit and scored on Mark Goodman's (4 hits) laser double to left center, 7-0. Simpson continued the barrage in the bottom of the third as they plated another four runs to make it, 11-1. This time it was Sullivan and Matt Savage who struck the big blows in the inning. Facing a ten run deficit, Lincoln's offense responded in the fourth with three runs behind a two run single by Adam Feinstein, 11-4. Lincoln put another run on the board in the fifth and then would rally in the seventh to score three more but the come back would fall a bit short. Lincoln's offense was led by Jared Kelly who had three hits on the night.

Game 4: Monday, September 16th @ 7:30 PM
Simpson Club 8 - Lincoln Tavern 4

Scott Simpson hit a line drive grand slam in the third inning and the Simpson Club rode it to a series clinching victory over the Lincoln Tavern.

With pitcher Mike Garland on top of his game and throwing hard "legal" strikes, scoring runs was going to be very limited for Lincoln and that's what made Simpson's blow so devastating and final. Lincoln and pitcher Drew Atton, recovered and pretty much kept the Simpson Club in check from that point on but Garland was not in the giving mood. Aside from a mini uprising in the bottom of the sixth that saw Lincoln cut the lead in half, the outcome was inevitable the moment Simpson's line drive home run ball settled on First Street.

Simpson Club will now get a crack at the defending champion Southside Tavern, a team that barely escaped a series against the Pirates.

Simpson Club's Mike Lush showing support for his pitcher

Simpson wins series 3-1

Junior Tejeda hit a three run homerun in the first inning to give Southside a 5-0 lead. Bodega then pieced together a comeback that had the game tied 5-5 heading into the bottom of the third. From that point on it was all Southside as they scored fourteen runs over the next two innings and never looked back. Tejeda led all hitters with four hits and four RBI. Eric Merces earned the win on the mound for Southside who will try for the sweep next week.

Game 2: Thursday, August 29th @ 7:30 PM
Southside 7 - Bodega 0 (forfeit)

Bodega can't round up enough players willing to challenge the mighty Southside team and forfeits game two ending their season.

Southside wins series 2-0

Will Brennan hit a three run homerun in the bottom of the second inning to put City Tap ahead to stay. After not pitching for the last month+, pitcher Chris Boyd returned from injury and was his usual dominating self; throwing seven innings, scattered eight hits, while surrendering just three earned runs. Facing a season ending loss, the Pirates will have a week to regroup and try to find their game that has been missing since last July.

Game 2 - Wednesday, September 4th @ 9:00 PM
Pirates 7 - City Tap 2

What a difference a long weekend can make. After their game one loss, the Pirates were pretty much done. However, a weekend of tournament ball must have done wonders for their overall game as they brought all three facets in game two against City Tap. They got outstanding pitching from Brian Pacheco, timely hitting from Charlie Conners (3 hits), Pat Pickup (2 run single in the third), Josh Neely (3 hits), and played a flawless game in the field. It all added up to a 7-2 series tying win. As the clubs were heading home for the night, the Pirates received another gift, a forfeit win in game three as City Tap informed the league that they couldn't field a team for the scheduled game.

Game 3:  

Pirates 7 - City Tap 0 (forfeit)

City Tap wins series 2-1

Lincoln's pitcher Jack Atton saved his best for the playoffs as he threw a six inning, four hit shutout at Roza Lyons. Atton found himself in trouble only once but worked out of a bases loaded nobody out jam in the fourth without giving up a run. On the offensive side of things, Taylor Ferguson and Max Vigliotti provided plenty of power as each hit towering homeruns. With Atton firing strikes, Roza will need to play their best game on Wednesday to extend their season.

Game 2 - Tuesday, September 3rd @ 6:00 PM
Lincoln Tavern 12 - Roza Lyons 6

After being shut out for ten straight innings, Roza's offense finally managed to score a run but it was too little too late as Lincoln cruises to a 12-6 victory ending their best of three series. Lincoln had already built a 7-0 lead behind a three run homerun by Max Vigliotti when Roza plated its first runs of the series. They would then get to within four runs (10-6) in the fifth when pitcher Joe Zanca launched a two run homerun over the fence in left but that would be the last of their scoring as Lincoln prevails.

Lincoln wins series 2-0

STATS 10 - Simpson Club 2

The slugging STATS came out swinging in game one and scored runs in the first four innings - three in the first, four in the second, two in the third, and one in the fourth. All of that added up to a 10-2 dominating victory. Steve Pesapane led all hitters with three hits while Dylan Britton proved to be tough on the mound as he limited the Simpson attack to just eight hits and two earned runs. The teams will have a week off before resuming the series.

Game 2 - Thursday, August 29th @ 9:00 PM
Simpson Club 5 - Stats 1

With their backs against the wall, pitcher Jerry Sarro threw his absolute best game of the year as he limited the STATS offense to just two hits while earning the 5-1 series tying win. Before Sarro worked his magic on the mound, Mike Lush put Simpson up for good when he launched a 3-run homerun over the fence in left. The homerun was all Sarro would need as he gave up a single in the third and a single in the seventh and that was hit. The lone run against him was scored in the seventh when Simpson Club made a couple of fielding errors. Dylan Britton was the tough luck losing pitcher as he gave up just three earned runs. Game three should be a classic game between these two evenly matched clubs. Starting lineups, who pitches for Simpson, and which team shows up will all be answered on Tuesday night.

Game 3: Thursday, September 5th @ 9:00 PM  
Simpson Club 20 - Stats 13

Trailing 7-5 in the bottom of the fourth, Simpson Club's Chris Flaherty hit a game tying homerun to right field. From that point on it was all Simpson as they score six in the fourth, four runs in the fifth, and five runs in the sixth. The Simpson offense was just too much for STATS pitching to tame and were led by Mike Lush who had quite a game - the lanky shortstop ripped four hits while driving in SEVEN runs. Mercy! Simpson Club will now take on the Lincoln Tavern in a best of five semi-final series beginning on Monday.

Simpson Club wins series 2-1