Pitcher Jack Atton (7 hits, 3 earned runs, in his 7 innings of work) got all the run support he would need for the night in the first inning. Mike Blanchard was aboard on a leadoff single when second batter, manager Bill Davis, stepped into one and sent it deep to right center. Both men scored, giving STATS a 2 - 0 lead. Preziosi followed with a double, and when Pat Donovan flied to right, he tagged up and went to third. The throw eluded the third baseman and Preziosi went home, 3 - 0. Matt Clifford then singled to left, the ball got by, and he ended up on third, scoring on Eric MacDonald's grounder, to give STATS the 4 runs they needed to win the game.

Playwright came back in the bottom of the inning, scoring twice. With two outs, Scott Tarentino and Mike Comtois drew walks and Mike Broderick doubled them home. That was all they'd put on the board until the 6th inning, when Jack Rogers (3 for 3) scored on a Joe Broderick single. Between Playwright's scores, it was time for the popular "Mark Preziosi show".

With two more runs already in, Preziosi stepped to the plate in the second inning with a man on and proceeded to belt one high into the trees in left center, making it 8 - 2. Then, in his next at-bat in the 4th inning, once again with one on, he put one where no trees would impede the ball's flight, cranking it over the fence in straightaway left. That made it 10 - 2 and pretty much salted the game away. STATS added two more runs in the 5th and Atton allowed only two hits over the final three innings to close it.

Sean Morgan supplied the early lead for Playwright with a two-run double in the first. It was one of two two-baggers for the third baseman who also supplied some leather later in the game, diving to snag a liner in the fourth and following that with a sharp 5-3 putout.

Drummey took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the third, having yet to give up a hit (the first run had scored on a walk and a long error in right field.) At this point, STATS came alive. Four hits, a walk, and a sac fly resulted in four runs, giving the orange men a 5-4 lead. Another run came when Mark Preziosi, on third base, made a daring dash to the plate after being held by Morgan on a ground ball. As Morgan fired to first for the putout, Preziosi took off and just slid under a throw slightly off the mark. STATS now held a 6 - 4 lead, but it would be their last scoring of the night.

Playwright tied the game at 6 in the fourth inning and then went ahead in the fifth, 7-6, as Mike Comtois singled, Morgan hit his second double of the game, moving him to third, from where he scored on a Mike Broderick grounder to Eric MacDonald at first base. MacDonald made the out at first, but his throw home took catcher Dave Nutter off the plate and Comtois scored what would prove to be the winning run.

Meanwhile, the hot STATS bats were going ice cold. Drummey faced the minimum number of batters over the final four innings, erasing the only baserunner via a 1-4-3 double play he started. It was still a 7-6 game, though, and not out of reach for STATS until the top of the 7th. At that point, a wearying Jack Atton left the game after loading the bases with nobody out. The unenviable task of holding the game at one run in that situation was given to Big Jay Atton, who retired the first batter on a fly to left (a nice play by Blanchard, who did not allow the runner on third to tag and score.) Big Jay had some trouble locating the plate after that, though, walking two runs in. Another scored on a sac fly, and then two more walks produced the last run of the inning, making it 11-6. The younger Atton had not allowed a hit, but patience paid off with four runs for the Playwright batters.

The series moves to game three in the best of five on Thursday evening at 7:00.

In the bottom of the first, after the first two runners reached base, Mike Comtois drove them home and then scored on Sean Morgan's sacrifice fly. Shane Knowles doubled then came one of those plays that you never expect. Scott Tarentino popped up for what should have been the third out, but pitcher Jay Atton, shortstop Mark Preziosi and third baseman Pat Donovan couldn't decide who would take it and it fell cleanly for a hit. With two outs in the inning, an alert Knowles had been running hard around the bases and scored on the play making it 4-0 Playwright.

After STATS got one of those runs back in the top of the second, Playwright plated three more in the bottom of the inning. A bases loaded walk to Knowles scored the first one, a grounder to first scored number two, and then Tarentino singled to drive in another, 7-1 Playwright.

Mark Preziosi continued his power show, stroking one into the trees in deep center in the fourth. It was his third home run of this series, but only reduced the Playwright lead to 7-2 at that point. They got as close as 10-4 in the sixth, and then 11-6 in the seventh but it wasn't be as The Playwright is just a win away from capturing the championship.

Jack Atton allowed just three hits through the first six innings, then held on against a furious Playwright rally in the seventh, to give STATS an 8 - 5 victory, forcing a winner-take-all game five.

After two quick outs in the top of the first, Playwright opened the scoring. Mike Comtois walked, Sean Morgan singled, Shane Knowles walked, and then Mike Broderick drove in his 7th run of the series with his bases-loaded walk. Atton left them loaded when he got Scott Tarentino to fly to right. That lone run wouldn't be near enough as STATS scored 5 times in the third inning. Bill Davis singled to lead off, Mark Preziosi doubled (he would end with two on the evening, bringing his series total thus far to a brutal seven extra-base hits), and Pat Donovan tripled to score Davis and Preziosi. A Matt Clifford single scored Donovan. After Playwright got the first out of the inning on a pop up, Mark Campbell doubles to put runners on second and third. Dave Nutter then hit one about as far as possible to left field without the ball leaving the park, driving in Clifford on the sacrifice fly. John Pels singled, bringing home Campbell. When the dust had cleared, STATS had batted around and taken the 5 - 1 lead.

Playwright recovered one of those runs in the 5th when Jack Rogers (OB% .615 for the series thus far) walked and scored three batters later on a fielders choice. Again, STATS answered with more runs. Nutter, Pels and Blanchard scored via RBI singles by Blanchard and Davis to give STATS what looked like a very comfortable 8 - 2 lead after five complete. And, with Jack Atton working a 1 - 2 - 3 sixth, it appeared even more comfortable. But then Playwright woke up.

A rare error by Preziosi at short gave Playwright a runner. Mark Hindman singled and (yes) Rogers walked to load the bases with nobody out. After getting the first out on a pop to Preziosi, Atton surrendered a two-run single to Joe Broderick, making it 8 - 4. A long fly out to right moved Rogers to third and he scored on Mike Comtois's single to bring it to 8 - 5 (Comtois is sporting a hefty .688 OB% himself.) Sean Morgan then walked to load the bases and bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the person of Shane Knowles. Atton, however, reached down for his final good pitch and induced a fly from Knowles to end it.

Game five should be a corker.

STATS pitcher and co-MVP winner, Jack Atton (3 victories in the series), never relinquished the lead given him. He allowed 8 hits and only two earned runs.

Playwright scored unearned runs in each of the first two innings. Mike Comtois (a possible MVP candidate, had Playwright gotten the victory) tripled with two out in the bottom of the first, subsequently scoring on an error. In the second, Modono tripled and scored on a throwing error. That shrank the lead to 4 - 2, but it was as close as Playwright would get. STATS exploded for five more runs in the third, with the big blow being struck by catcher Dave Nutter, a bases-loaded three-run double. After that, it was a matter of Atton holding the lead, which he did by working his way out of danger in the 4th and 5th, allowing runs in each but stranding 5 runners in those two frames. STATS added three more runs in the sixth for the final tally of 12 - 5, as Playwright did not score in their final two turns at the plate. The game ended, and the celebration began, when Atton got the final batter on a called third strike.

With Mrs. Preziosi in the stands to watch, her shortstop son, Mark, took MVP honors. His series was outstanding - 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 7 RBI, 9 runs scored, team-leading batting, on-base and slugging percentages, and spectacularly steady hoovering up of almost everything hit his way at shortstop.

Playwright had a fine season, and the series went the distance, so nothing to be ashamed of for them. But this was STATS night, right from the start. Congratulations to the 2014 - and first ever - Feeney Division Champions at M Street!

STATS wins series 3-2

This one got out of hand early for Southside. Jim Innocent, taking the mound despite a couple of hurts, was rocked for all eight Shanny runs in an inning and a third. Dan Brown drove in three, while Al Martin sent two home.Mike Hoadley, Bryan Erwin and Steve Stalcup had the other RBI. With the score 8 - 0, a runner on second and still only one out, manager Brian Pacheco brought in veteran Jimmy McNiff to pitch. McNiff acquitted himself very well, not allowing the inherited runner to score and then pitching three more additional innings of shutout ball. Pacheco himself relieved McNiff later and threw two hitless shutout innings. If Southside can take heart from the loss, it's in the fact that over the 5 2/3 of relief, Shenannigans mustered only three hits. However, there was no urgent need for them to hit more, what with a big lead and French racking up the outs, so the adrenaline may have been lowered.

Joel Kershner started the game with a single for Southside and, with one out, advanced to second when Rob Rogers was hit by a Mike Hoadley pitch. However, that was the last runner they got as far as second base - and the last hit - until the sixth inning. They had chances to do some damage, with the leadoff man reaching via walk in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th, but Hoadley didn't allow anything else in those innings.

Meanwhile, Shenannigans slowly built a lead. In the bottom of the first, Nick French singled. Hoadley followed with a single of his own. After a 6 - 3 putout moved the runners to second and third, Southside manager Brian Pacheco elected to intentionally walk Dan Brown, loading the bases and putting on a force all around. Pitcher Jim McNiff was not pleased with the strategy, and let his feelings be known. After things quieted down, McNiff walked Greg Trudell, giving Shenannigans a 1 - 0 lead. He got the next two batters to end the inning.

In the second, Marty O'Malley drew a one-out walk. The late-arriving Steve Stalcup was sent in as a pinch runner for O'Malley. Nick French singled, some bad throws moved the runners further, Hoadley had a sac fly and it was 3 - 0.

The score stayed that way until the fifth when Dan Brown delivered a two-out run-scoring double to raise the lead to 4 - 0. Then Southside had its best chance of the evening in the top of the sixth. With one out, Rob Rogers lofted a high pop to short center field. Stalcup and second baseman Luis Colon converged on the ball with neither giving ground to the other and it bounced off a glove and hit the ground. Rogers alertly took second with nobody covering. The second out followed, but then Jim Innocent ripped one down the left field line to drive in Rogers and make it a 4 - 1. Hoadley walked Pat Wilson and Garrett Hauck to load the bases, bringing the possible go-ahead run to the plate in the person of Josh Neely. At that point, Shanny manager Dave Conti made a pitching change, bringing in French, who snuffed the rally by inducing a 4 - 3 grounder.

The game was put out of reach in the bottom of the inning. Four runs scored on five hits (aided a by some more ill-advised throws) and although Kershner (2 for 3) got his team's third hit in the seventh, Southside went quietly.

Shenannigans is poised to win their sixth consecutive championship and Southside faces the daunting task of taking three straight from the defending champs in order to stop that from happening.

This one was over early. Jim Innocent took the mound for the somewhat undermanned Southside squad (Charlie Conners, Josh Neely and Rob Rogers were missing.) Without his best control, I-Man surrendered five runs on three hits. The remaining runners came via a walk and three hit batsmen, as well as a questionable fielders choice that could have resulted in at least one out, possibly two, but instead got none and allowed a run to score. After surrendering back-to-back home runs to start the second inning, coach Brian Pacheco brought on Jimmy McNiff in relief. He got out of the inning without further run-scoring damage, but a 7 - 0 lead was already in hand for the champs.

Meanwhile, starter Mike Hoadley didn't allow a hit through those two innings. In a somewhat surprising move, Hoadley was replaced by Nick French to begin the third inning. French didn't miss a beat. The series MVP (two victories, a save, and a batting average of .800) struck out the first 5 batters he faced.

(The perfect game was broken up on a E-6 by the normally defensively superb Steve Stalcup. That was followed by a sharp clean single to left by Pat Dolbeare, so no sweat for the scorekeeper!)

Shanny's added four more runs, Southside was unable to plate any, and that was that. Congratulations to the very well-deserving Shenannigans squad on their record-setting victory!

Shennanigans wins series 3-0

Things got off to a rough start for the Underdogs and it appeared it might be another 5-inning night. Playwright put four runs on the board in the bottom of the first on five singles and a base on balls, with Mike Comtois, Peter Drummey, Jordan Depenbrock and Mark Hindman picking up an RBI each. But Local 149 came back in the top of the second with three of their own. Dave Hoerburger led off with a triple. After two quick outs, it appeared he might be stranded, but a timely single plated the run. And that was followed by a Greg Bernier homerun to make it 4 - 3.

Playwright added a run in the third to make it 5 - 3, but the Underdogs got that back in the top of the fifth. And in the top of the sixth, they tied the game at five on an RBI single by shortstop Kris Manilenko. In the bottom of the sixth, Playwright went back on top by one, but it would have been worse without a nice heads-up play by catcher Matt Kerrigan. With Hindman on first and one out, Modano hit a shot to right field. Hindman scored and Modano rounded third and headed home. The throw from RF was on-time and Kerrigan applied the tag but lost the ball upon contact from the runner. Staying with the play, though, Kerrigan gathered the ball and tagged Modano, who had not touched the plate on the initial play. That kept it a one-run game and provided a second out for pitcher Joey Kalil, who then got the third out on a grounder.

Top of the seventh, the Underdogs needed one to tie it and keep their season alive. After two outs, a single by Bernier moved the baserunner into scoring position, and Dave Piccirilli came through in the clutch with the game tying single.

Now Playwright needed a run in the bottom of the 7th to win this well-fought game and the series. With one out, Scott Tarentino worked a walk. An error moved him to second, and another pair of errors scored him. It was a rough way to end it for the Local 149 boys but they really had nothing to be ashamed of tonight. They played gutty ball and made Playwright work hard for the clinching victory.

Playwright did deserve the series, and they now await the winner of the STATS - Cranberry Cafe series for what should be an exciting "B" division finals.

Playwright wins series 3-0

The game moved to the bottom of the seventh when the excitement started. Eric MacDonald lead off with a single. Dave Nutter followed with another single, and Blanchard singled scoring MacDonald, 7-1. Mike Connell walked to load the bases. After an out, John Pels singled scoring two, 7-3. Mike Preziosi reached on an error loading the bases again. Bill Davis singled home two making it 7-5 and the game was slipping out of Cranberry's hands.

Mark Preziosi reached via error, loading the bases again, with one out. Donovan singled to make it 7-6, bases still loaded, one out. Clifford at bat. Ball one. Ball two. Ball thr... nope, Clifford swings at a high pitch and fouls it off. The next pitch is low (probably ball four and a tie game), but Clifford swings and smokes it - right into pitcher Brian Goodman's glove for the second out. Davis, on third, had taken off. Goodman could have gone to third for the easy out via force out back to the bag on a ball caught in the air, but he throws home, where Chris Matacunis catches the ball and tags the sliding Davis. Game over!

With Atton being so stingy, STATS didn't need to deliver too many runs in this one. The bats were alive all night, however, with STATS plating three in the first, five in the second, and closing it out in the fifth with four more. First baseman Eric MacDonald went a perfect 4-for-4, driving in three and scoring twice. Pat Donovan had three RBI, John Pels and Mark Campbell contributed two each, Bill Davis added a home run in the late innings and Atton helped his own cause with a run-scoring double. For Cranberry, Chico Silva drove in the lone run with a hard double, continuing his own good series (OB% of .714; 4 RBI of his team's 8 runs total.)

Game four will be played Tuesday as STATS will try to wrap it up and Cranberry will need to play their best game of the season as they look to extend the series to a fifth game.

STATS grabbed the early lead in the top of the first when Mark Preziosi hit a two-out triple and subsequently scored when Pat Donovan reached on an error. In the bottom of the first, Cranberry gave notice things wouldn't be the same in this game as in the previous two games (in which they had scored one run in each.) With the leadoff man on via error, Scott Simpson laid into a Jack Atton pitch and took it over the fence onto East First, giving Cranberry a 2-1 lead. (Unearned runs would be a continuing theme, as only 8 of the 16 runs in the game were charged to the respective pitchers.)

Things stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the third. Brian Goodman started the inning with a home run to make it 3-1. Later in the inning, with runners on first and second and one out, the old warrior Jack Flanagan doubled to score Chris Matacunis. After loading the bases with a walk to Jay Malley, Atton avoided further trouble when he induced a Chris Flaherty fly to center for the final out.

Mark Goodman was sailing along, having given STATS just Preziosi's first inning triple through four innings. In the fifth, STATS got their second hit of Goodman, but it was enough to plate another run. Dave Nutter singled with one out. Goodman then experienced his only wildness of the game, walking Mark Campbell and then loading the bases by hitting John Pels. He got Mike Connell to pop to the second baseman in very short right field, but an alert Dave Nutter on third base took off on the catch and scored (giving Connell a very rare SF-4 in the scorebook!) Then, in the top of the sixth, STATS brought the game even at 4-4 when Mark Preziosi reached on an error and Pat Donovan followed with a long home run to right field.

Through six innings, Goodman had given up only four hits but STATS had scored four runs. On the other side, Cranberry had reached Jack Atton for 8 hits and 5 walks in just five innings, but had only produced a similar four runs. They would finally break through a bit in their bottom half of the sixth. Jack Flanagan singled, but was forced at second on a Jay Malley grounder. Then Flaherty lofted what appeared to be an out to center field, but Bill Davis let the ball bounce out of his glove, runners on second and third with one out. The dangerous Scott Simpson wasn't given anything good to hit and he walked to load the bases. Mark Goodman then grounded sharply to third base. Pat Donovan chose to tag the bag for a force and then try for the double play at first base, but his throw to first was wild. Malley had scored on the original play, and now Simpson and Goodman were in scoring position for Brian Goodman, who singled to plate both of them. It was 7-4 Cranberry, heading into the final at-bats for STATS, and it looked as though this series might be going to a fifth and deciding game.

Not so fast. With one out, John Pels singled. Mike Connell singled, two on and the tying run to the plate in the person of Bill Davis. But Davis grounded to first. BUT the play wasn't made and the bases were now loaded for the always-dangerous Mark Preziosi. Preziosi did not hit a bomb, but he did get one to elude some fielders, bringing in two runs (one from the hit and another from an error.) Then Pat Donovan singled to score two more (with catcher Jay Malley being inadvertently wiped out at the plate on a clean, but dangerous, play. He got up and continued, testament to his toughness). The wheels were falling off the Cranberry wagon, though. Another error. Then an RBI single by Eric MacDonald. Another single by Mike Blanchard loaded the bases again with still only one out. Then Cranberry gave themselves a chance when Dave Nutter hit a bullet to third base, where it was a force for one and then a throw home for a tagged third out. Whew!

Now Cranberry had to score two to extend it. And they gave it a good shot. Chris Matacunis walked to lead off. Chico Silva, who hit the ball hard all series and led his team by example at the plate, stroked a solid line drive. It was directly at shortstop Preziosi, though, for one out (and a throw to first just missed doubling off Matacunis.) Jack Atton was having some trouble locating the plate, so Spitz drew the second walk of the inning. Jack Flanagan, 2 for 3 on the night thus far, came to the dish and lined one - again, right at Preziosi (who, again, almost doubled off a runner.) Jay Malley at the plate now, two on, two out. The count ran to 3 and 2. Runners were poised to take off. Atton wound and threw. As the ball passed the plate, Malley thought he had a base on balls, but the umpire figured differently, calling strike three to end the game and Cranberry's hopes.

As I said at the beginning, sloppy but exciting. All the credit in the world to Chico Silva, who kept the fight alive in his boys, and also to Bill Davis, who has a team that never quits. The Final between STATS and Playwright (who will have been off for 11 or 12 days by the time the next series begins) should be a corker.

STATS wins series 3-1

Shenannigans started pitcher Mike Hoadley, who was just back from competing in a national tournament. Hoadley cruised through the first three innings of the game and then ran into trouble in the fourth. With runners on first and second, Andy Hiller hit a bullet grounder to third baseman Dennis Hajjar. Hajjar fielded it cleanly stepped on third and fired a strike to second baseman Luis Colon. Colon stepped on second and fired to first to complete the TRIPLE play! If the wind wasn't out of Lincoln's sails yet, it sure seemed to be after that play.

Meanwhile, Lincoln's Todd Marsh was doing his best to keep his team in the game but without the offensive help, the order was quickly becoming a tall task. Shennanigan's offense finally broke through in the sixth when they took advantage of some fielding miscues coupled with some timely hitting. Nick French (three hits) drove in two runs with a single to left center and three others would score behind him making it 9-0. Shennanigan's added a pair of runs in the seventh and French came on in relief to close it out as they evened the series at a game a piece.

Mike Hoadley started, Nicky French relieved in the fourth, and the two pitchers combined for a 7-hit, 6-strikeout effort, ending a series marred by two forfeits (one a side). Shennanigans now has a chance to win their record sixth consecutive M Street title as they will face Southside Tavern for the championship.

Hoadley, Nate Meyl and Steve Stalcup delivered two RBI each, with Hoadley leading all batters with three hits. Shanny's led 1-0 after one, 5-1 after two, and 8-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth. Lincoln's Andy Hillier then delivered a big two-run home run onto East First Street, but it was too little too late for the men in black, as it only brought the score to 8-3, Shennanigans, and Lincoln couldn't get anyone past second base over the final three innings. Shennanigans wins series 3-1

Southside answered in the bottom of the third when they batted around the order to take a 5-3 lead. Steven Couturier (3 hits), Garrett Hauck (two hits), and Montesano all connected with RBI hits in the inning.

The Warehouse drew closer in the fifth when they took advantage of some infielder miscues, 5-4. But again, the Southside's offense came to life when they had to as they pushed across another pair of runs in the sixth on Pat Wilson's two run double. Jim Innocent then took over on the mound for Jim McNiff and closed the door to earn the save.

With two outs and one man on in the fourth, Andrew Christopher and Kevin Snow both reached base to load them for Dave Blandino. The tall right fielder quickly cleared the bases with a double to deep left center making it 4-3 Warehouse. They added a pair of runs in the fifth to close out the scoring and Magee and the Warehouse took game two of the best of five series.

Southside's first run came via error, as did their second. Their third was helped along by an error, although scored on a sac fly. That was all they would need this night, but they tacked on another four (two earned) in the fifth and sixth. Meanwhile, McNiff gave up one unearned run in the first inning and wasn't truly threatened over the next six innings. His shortstop, Steve "Cootch" Couturier, helped him out with a couple of nice defensive plays in the second inning, and second baseman Joel Kershner ranged far into right field for a pop up in the fifth. Couturier, Kershner and third baseman Pat Wilson all had two hits each, while Marc Montesano drove in two. Joe Magee was the hard luck recipient for Warehouse, with only two of the seven runs earned against him.

The boys in blue jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Charlie Connors led off the game with a hustling triple and he was driven in by second batter Joel Kershner's single. A bit of tough luck for Warehouse pitcher Joey Magee followed - Steve Couturier reached on an unplayable soft grounder, moving Kershner to second. After a pop out, Marc Montesano hit another soft one that fell in, loading the bases. Southside pitcher Jim Innocent then flied out to center, but deep enough for Kershner to tag from third for the 2-0 advantage.

Warehouse came back to tie it in the bottom of the second. Magee crushed a double to center, scoring Brendan McGinn, who had led off with a single. Following a fly out and a walk, Chris Sylvia came through with an RBI single plating Magee.

Top of the third. Steve Couturier's luck continued, as another softie allowed him to use his good speed to reach safely. Pat Dolbeare was hit by a pitch and Montesano reached via error, loading them once again for The I-Man, Jim Innocent. And, same as last time, he got the run home on a sac fly, to give his team the 3-2 lead.

No more scoring until the bottom of the fifth, when singles by Kevin Snow, Ryan Martin and Jeff White produced the tying run for Warehouse, Then, in the bottom of the sixth, Warehouse went ahead for the first time, 4-3. With one on (via error) and two outs, Snow smoked one to the right side. First Baseman Pat Dolbeare went far to his right snagging it, a nice play, but had no play at first to get Snow. Meanwhile, the runner, Andrew Christopher, rounded third and headed for home. Dolbeare's throw to catcher Pat Pickup looked to be on-time, but Christopher arrived a millisecond later and the ball came loose, Christopher scoring. Paul Doherty followed with a single, but no further runs scored.

Now Southside needed one to tie or else the series was going to a winner-take-all game five. With one out, sparkplug Charlie Connors again ignited his team. stroking a single to right center. Joel Kershner up. Magee got him to ground to shortstop, but the play eluded the grasp of his infielder and Connors raced around the bases. Meanwhile, Kershner moved into scoring position. And then Couturier earned his earlier luck with a solid hit to give his team the one-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh, 5-4. (watch/comment on the play here on Facebook)

Warehouse got the tying run on base, via a one out walk to Maginn, but tonight's hard luck man, Joey Magee, hit a hard shot to Couturier, who shoveled to Kershner for one and then Kershner sent it on to Dolbeare, completing the 6-4-3 double play and ending Warehouse's season.

Southside Tavern wins series 3-1

Jesse Taylor was the offensive star in this one as he doubled home two runs in the first and added his second double in the sixth. The Village Pizza will now take on the Cranberry Cafe in a best of three series.

Lincoln fought back in the top of the fourth when Sean Mitchell blasted his first M Street homerun, 5-3. They tied the game an inning later when Andy Hillier and Bob Carlson drove in a run a piece, 5-5.

Rob Costello then worked a clean sixth inning which set the table for the hot hitting Dave Conlon. Conlon came through with a triple to right center and scored on Sean Wilshire's sacrifice fly, 6-5. Costello had a tall task in the seventh as he would face the meat of the order in Max Vigliotti, Jesse Carlton, and Andy Hillier. The composed righty calmly worked each batter and before you knew it, the series was tied.

The teams traded runs in the third and the game moved to the fourth inning with Harp leading 7-4. With two outs and a runner on first, Lincoln's offense sprung to life. Adam Feinstien worked a walk which set the tables for Joey Burke. The burly catcher came through in the clutch with a double to left center making it a 7-6 game. Lincoln wasn't done scoring in the inning as Max Vigliotti brought Burke in to tie it at 7-7. The hot hitting Carlton (3 hits) then hit his second towering drive to left center. However, Jimmy Botting and Brad Morrill gave chase with Botting nearly making a spectacular catch against the fence. Instead, the ball caromed away and cleared the bases, 9-7.

In the sixth, Sean Wilshire started the inning off with a single through the right side of the infield. Two outs later, Keith Savage also delivered in the clutch with another RBI single (3-3 with 4 RBI's), 9-8. Pitcher, Rob Costello then had to depart the game due to family commitment and handed the ball over to Jack Atton, Yes, the same one who pitches for STATS. Considering the unscheduled late start of the game, Costello's family situation, and the agreement by the Lincoln squad, Atton was allowed to pitch. Once he took the mound he did his job to perfection throwing two scoreless innings which kept Harp's hopes alive. Bill Botting helped the Atton out with a tremendous catch in deep right field (saved two runs).

However, Todd Marsh and Lincoln put a quick end to the game in the seventh as the side was retired in order. Lincoln survived the series and Harp showed the league that they will be a serious contender in the very near future.

Lincoln wins series 2-1

Paul Doherty (3 hits), Magee (2 hits), and Brett Belcastro led the attack for The Warehouse. They will now wait for the outcome of the Harp & Lincoln showdown on Monday (6:30) to determine who their opponent will be in the best of five semi-final round.

Warehouse wins series 2-0

Mark Goodman threw a scoreless sixth inning and then took a seat as the Cranberry nine batted around the order while scoring TEN runs to take a 15-9 lead. Chris Flaherty (3 hits) and Chris Matacunis struck the big blows in the inning. Jeff Edelman led the Pizza crew with three hits. The best of three series continues on Monday @ 8:15.

Cranberry Cafe wins Series 2-1

The Underdogs took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on Dave Hoerburger's homer to deep left then tried to hang on in the seventh. However, the Dragons didn't comply as they quickly loaded the bases for the top of the order. Jake Beers then tied the game when he drew a walk. Greg Tsinzo followed suit and suddenly the Dragons were ahead 2-1. A sacrifice fly to right by Adam Beers made it 3-1 and they would add two more runs before the Underdogs could get out of the inning. Sargent then set the order down in the home half of the seventh to secure the game one victory.

Local 149 Underdogs win series 2-1