PLAYOFFS CONTINUE

After a rainout on Monday, the regular season came to a close with two games that had plenty of playoff implications on Tuesday night. Cornerstone Pub and the Masterbatters took the field for the early game and both were looking for a win to secure the final playoff spot. All of the "Wild Turkeys" were on hand in this one as Cornerstone jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning. From that point on the lead would grow until the sixth inning where the Masterbatters jumped back into the game with making it 15-10. However, Mike Doran's charges would not be denied tonight as they answered back with four more runs in the seventh to close it out, 19-10. Adam Mullen picked up the win while also contributing with three hits and two RBI's though it was teammate Mike Larkin who was the offensive star for the Turkey's as he blasted two homeruns, a double, and six RBI's. With the win, Cornerstone will take on the Feeney Division winner Ole Rebels in a single elimination playoff game.
Tuesday's late game saw a spirited battle for first place in the Moran division between Below Average Joe's and Telegraph Hill. Joe's took the lead early as they led 8-0 after an inning and a half of play. For a brief moment the game looked as if it was going to be a clunker until Telegraph fought back scoring three runs in three consecutive innings. Mark Preziosi rose to the occasion by smashing two clutch homeruns for the Hill which cut Joe's lead to 10-9 after four innings of play. Both teams continued to score runs at will over the next two innings but the Hill was now on top, 16-15 with just a half inning to play. However, the lead wouldn't last long as Joe's John Garofalo cleared the bases in their five run seventh which gave them a 20-16 lead. Telegraph fought back in the bottom of the seventh but they didn't have enough tonight as they fell two runs short, 20-18. Ben Deane picked up the win for Joe's and was also their hitting star (3 hits, 6 RBI). Will Bradford contributed to the winning cause by banging out four hits. Below Average Joe's was scheduled to take on The Place in a single elimination game on Wednesday but The Place cannot make the game so Joe's will get the forfeit and face the winner of the other series on Friday night. Meanwhile, Telegraph Hill will play their single elimination game against the Stingers on Thursday night.
The playoffs finally kicked off on Wednesday night with the Cornerstone Pub taking on the Feeney division winning Ole Rebels squad. After coming off an impressive win to get into the playoffs, Cornerstone didn't have their "A" game in this one as they committed several errors which led to big innings for the Ole Rebels offense. After just three innings of play, the Rebels had mounted an 11-0 lead behind pitcher Eric Malerba and were playing stingy defense (made three double plays). In the end, Chris Miller, Jeff White, and Matt Lang (connected for back-to-back-to-back homeruns) were just too much for Cornerstone as they fell, 19-2.
Thursday's early action saw Telegraph Hill looking for an upset over the Stingers in their preliminary round playoff game. But pitcher Chris Methe wouldn't oblige as he scattered six hits over five innings to lead the Stingers to an impressive 23-5 victory over the Telegraph Hill.
The late game featured a battle between the two teams sponsored by Stats Bar & Grille. But it was the home runs struck by Steven Anastasi and Brad Cole that helped the Tom Yeo led Stats Bar & Grille to a victory over their brethren on the Stats/BSB squad, 21-14.
Despite the high score, this game showcased some fine defensive plays. On one play, shortstop Joel Kershner went to his right for a great backhanded pick of a hard grounder then reversed his momentum to make a leaping toss to second for an inning-ending force out that, at the time, kept the game within one run for his teammates. Not to be outdone, Anastasi displayed his speed in making one of the best outfield catches of the year on a line shot to left center, running full tilt and laying out completely to snare a ball that was destined for extra bases. Wow! That play brought serious applause from the fans, and it was well deserved.
The playoffs continued on Friday night where two of the seasons best games where played. In the first game, the Stingers and Stats Bar & Grille played a nail biter as neither team could build a lead of more than two runs. It was a back and fourth affair through all seven innings - 5-4 Stingers after the first, 6-5 Stats at the end of two, 7-6 Stingers at the end of three, 7-7, 8-7 Stingers after four, 9-8 Stats through five innings, and in the end 10-9 Stingers on a walk-off.
After a quick moving storm threatened the start of the game the field was actually left in perfect condition for softball and Stats wasted little time in taking advantage as they batted around the order and scored four runs in the top of the first inning. But the Stingers answered with five of their own highlighted by a Steve Ballas grand slam to left.
For a moment this one looked as if it was going to be a high scoring game but pitchers Chris Methe and the Stats 55 year old Jack Flanagan settled in while getting some nice help from their defense. Stats Brad Cole saved a sure double down the left field line in the fourth when he snagged a line drive and completed the double play at third base.
Stats was clinging to a one run lead (9-8) and was in need of an insurance run or two going into the seventh when Bobby Wogan responded with a double to deep center. However, the veteran who brought his experience and positive/winning attitude to the young Stats club would be left stranded at second.
The game moved to the bottom of the seventh and the Stingers were talking it up on the bench. Brendan O'Heir gave them something to really cheer about when he led off with a triple to deep center. Chris Methe was then walked on four pitches and suddenly the Stingers had the game winning runner on base. Steve Ballas then hit a fly to left that would have scored O'Heir but outfielder Steve Anastasi fired a strike to catcher Greg D'Antona and O'Heir wisely scampered back to third. Lefty Jimmy Peters then stepped in and ripped a hard single to right that tied the game and sent Methe to third. Dave Ballas was then intentionally walked to load the bases and set up a force play at home. The pressure was then put on Kevin O'Regan who quickly fell behind (0-2) in the count. With Flanagan & Stats desperately needing a strikeout the next pitch was fired hard but missed away. With a 1-2 count, O'Regan then hammered the next offering to right that scored Methe from third and the celebrating began.
The second thriller of the night came at the hands of the Below Average Joe's and the Ole Rebels. On paper, the Rebels were supposed to win this won fairly easily as they played in a tougher division and had the experienced pitcher in Eric Malerba. In fact, Malerba (3 hits, and 3 RBI) and the Ole Rebels were following the script as they built a 10-3 lead through five innings of play. But a last inning rally by the "Cardiac Kid" Below Average Joe squad tied the game and sent it into extra innings.
The rally started with a Jeff McSharry lead off homerun in the sixth inning which made it 10-5. Joe's then managed to load the bases for Todd Fratar who promptly singled to left to score two more runs making it 10-7. The Rebels defense ended the inning but they realized that their comfortable lead had evaporated and were looking for a big inning of their own. Jeff White got the bench excited when he led off with a line drive homerun to right center making it 11-7. Tim Fitzgerald nearly followed when he ripped a 1-1 offering to left that struck the fence on the fly. However, he would be stranded as the Rebels would have to settle for one run and take a four run lead into the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, the first two batters were retired on fly outs and suddenly Joe's were down to their last out. But they got some hope when McSharry doubled home John Garofalo with the first run of the inning making it 11-8. Pitcher Ben Deane then traded places with McSharry as he lined a double to right center and it was suddenly a two run game. Tom Christensen kept the rally going with a single to left putting runners on the corners for Anthony Garofalo. The speedy outfielder quickly tied the game when he cleared the bases with a triple to left center and just like that the Rebels lead was gone. Joe's has scored seven runs over the last two innings of play.
The game then moved into extra innings with both teams playing their best defense of the season. Second baseman Brian Drew made several outstanding plays for the Rebels while Tom Christensen made an outstanding game saving catch in left for Joe's. This is one of those games that neither team deserved to lose - they both had played great all night long.
After eighth and ninth inning, McSharry led off the tenth with a single to center and scored when the very hot hitting Anthony Garofalo (3 hits, 2 HR, 8 RBI) connected for his second clutch homerun of the night making it 13-11 Joe's. One could see the hit had taken the wind out of the sail for the shocked Rebels as they couldn't respond and went down in order in the home half of the inning. It was a heartbreaking loss for one club and a thrilling hard fought victory for another which pretty much sums up the playoffs in the M Street Softball League.
During the season the league held "player performance contests" where speed, strength, and agility were measured. Several of the contests were very close and the difference between players was slim. However, once contestant stood out among the rest and that's the Nexus' Steven Couturier who won the "longest throw" contest with a 289 foot, 10 inch toss across the softball diamond. He had the competition beat by at least fifteen feet and even one upped that performance by firing a ball from home plate over the fence in left at the all-star game. Folks, that's not easy to do.
The "fastest man" contest was won by Sean Sylvester of The Place. Sean flew around the bases in 11:03 seconds. Anthony Garofalo (Below Average Joe's) and Nick Traveler (Stats/BSB) grabbed second with a time of 11:10. This was probably the most exciting contest of the three as many took part by cheering their teammate on as he raced around the bases covering the 260 feet. I still think we have someone in the league that will break the 11 second mark but we will have to wait until next year to find out who that man is.
Many folks figured the "fastest pitcher" contest would be won easily by Makepeace's Jimmy Pinkston as he was clearly the most dominating pitcher this season. However, we had a few pitchers who topped 60mph on the radar gun which put the pressure on Pinkston. Cranberry's Joey Magee surprised us all when he ripped off a 64mph drop ball and took the lead in the contest. Keith Zewiey (Playwright), Joey Venuti (Nexus), Nick French (Cranberry), and Steven Mills (Quencher) were just off the pace with 61 mph heaters. But in the end, Pinkston proved he was clearly the fastest when he unleashed a 68 mph laser that nearly took off catcher Rob Rogers' hand. Pinkston may have a challenge in the future from 11 year old Nicholas Jimenez who took the mound with his very intimidating Mohawk haircut and fired a 36 mph fastball for a strike. Mercy!
The annual PJ Flavin softball tournament took place in Dorchester this past weekend. Over the years the tournament has risen over $50,000 in scholarship funds which has been awarded to local Dorchester athletes. With the help of his friends and family, the Nexus' Charlie Conners has organized the very successful event and each year it seems to get better and better. This year the very competitive tournament was won by the Traft Club which featured fellow M Street players Jillian Savoy, Pat Dolbeare, Billy MacDougal, and the author of this article. Other M Streeters who participated were Pat Pickup, Steve Stalcup, Rob Moriarty, John Smith, Rob Rogers, Steven Couturier, Jason Atton, Jim Sullivan, Joey Burke, Joe Cavaleri, Jarrad Conely, Brian Pacheco, Tony King, John Manning, Nick Manning, Dan Nash, and Josh Neeley.

Pictured are your 2011 PJ Flavin Tournament Champions (Traft Club). M Street Softball players in photo are Billy MacDougal (back row, first from left), Pat Dolbeare (back row, third from right), Jillian Savoy (front row, first from left), Mark Senna (front row, second from left), and John Manning (front row, first from right).
In closing, the playoffs continue at M Street with games starting at 6:30 and 8:15pm. With the league now trimmed down to the top eight teams the games will just keep getting better and better. The players have a nice infield to play on thanks to Larry Ayers of the Park's & Recreation Department, who has done a great job in getting the field in top condition. Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you at the field.