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Some night this week the M Street Softball League will crown a new champion. This became a reality when Shannon’s Tavern put an end to the Sidewalk Café’s four-year championship run with a game five victory.
The two rivals had met many times in the playoffs over the years with Sidewalk always winning. However, Shannon's exacted some revenge last Tuesday night when they scored three runs in the top of the first inning while on their way to a defining 9-4 victory. Rob Rogers provided most of the offense and John Gregorio pitched seven strong innings securing the triumphant win. With little time to celebrate Shannon’s was back on the playing field the very next night for game one of the finals against the Playwright, who were waiting in the wings after their three-game sweep over the Spartans. It was one rested team against a tired one but both were equally happy to be there. Finals Game 1 (Sept 8) - Playwright's pitcher Jerry Thomes dominated tonight as he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Shannon's in the first game of the finals. The Playwright offensive attack made Thomes' job a lot easier when they plated four runs in the second inning. Al Martin's 2-run single would prove to be the game winner but Playwright's offense was not finished for the night. Speedy outfielder, Charlie Connors added a homerun in the third and Joe Broderick knocked in a pair with a fourth inning double. The five runs were more than enough for Thomes as he kept batters off stride for most of the evening. Rob Rogers finally got to Thomes and put Shannon's on the scoreboard in the seventh when he homered to deep left. Timmy Malley, Steven Muldowney, and Rogers were the only Shannon players to reach base tonight. "Sidewalk took a lot out of us - we were tired" said Rob Rogers after game one of the finals. Rogers followed up the conversation saying that he was hoping for a rainout so his team can rest and regroup over the weekend. Rogers got his wish as both Thursday & Friday’s games were postponed until Monday. Game five, if necessary, was scheduled for tonight (Thursday 7:30) with games six & seven scheduled for Friday. Series notes: there are two father-son combinations playing in the finals. Jerry Thomes (pitcher) & son Jerry Jr. (2nd baseman) both playing for the Playwright. Their teammate, Jack Rogers, is the father of Shannon's Rob Rogers. Both Jack and Rob have put in many seasons in the M Street Softball League without ever winning a championship. One of them will take home the trophy and the bragging rights this year, which should make for interesting dinner conversation. In conclusion, with end of Sidewalk’s four-year grip on the title the Sidewalk players who were part of their amazing championship run (2000-2003) are listed below. The number to the left of their name is the number of titles won with Sidewalk. They are:
(4) Jason O’Connell |