With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the fifth with two outs and the bases loaded, Taylor Ferguson hit a clutch two run double that put Lincoln in front to stay. Max Vigliotti followed with a RBI single that made it 5-2 but the Simpson Club still had three innings to make up the difference.

In the fifth, pitcher Chris Boyd retired the side in order and Simpson was down to their last six outs. As they have shown before, the Simpson Club can rally late in games and tonight was no different. Mark Goodman started the bottom of the sixth off with a single and took second on brother Brian's walk. Simpson had Boyd and Lincoln right where they wanted them - two base runners on with their 4, 5, & 6 hitters coming to bat. Boyd retired Miguel Dupree on an infield pop out and then got Mike Bulman to chase an outside pitch for strike three. Simpson club would need a two out hit just as Lincoln got an inning earlier. It wasn't to be as Boyd and Lincoln escaped the inning without yielding a run.

There was little noise in the seventh as the Simpson Club surprisingly went down in order 1-2-3. Boyd's counterpart, Mike Garland, took the loss and has to be a bit frustrated with the lack of run support. More so, Garland led the team with the highest batting average during the season yet he can't crack the batting order in the playoffs. The defending champions will need to make some adjustments before game two on Thursday or face a daunting task of needing to win three in a row.

Taylor Ferguson	Max Vigliotti	Chris Boyd	Mark Goodman

Lincoln Tavern 10 - Pat Simpson Club 9

With the Simpson Club trailing 5-4 in the top of the sixth inning, Miguel Dupree hit a towering two run homerun down the left field line that put Simpson in front. Simpson wasn't done scoring in the inning - a walk, single, and walk to Mike Bulman loaded the bases for Scott Simpson. On a 2-2 count, Scott (2 hits, 5 RBI) smoked a line drive to center that cleared the bases, 9-5! Lincoln got out of the inning without any further damage but the lead was lost and possibly the game too. This was my story in the sixth inning as watching from home I was quite sure Dupree's homer would be the difference.

However, Lincoln had other ideas and responded in the bottom of the sixth by loading the bases with one out. On the first strike he saw lefty hitter, Conor Gleason, ripped a line drive to right center that split the outfielders and fell for a triple making it 9-8. The next batter hit a grounder to second which was plenty deep enough to score Gleason from third but he didn't budge, still 9-8. A routine fly ball and Simpson was still in front heading to the seventh.

Oh the seventh inning...this one will be talked about for some time. After pitcher Chris Boyd and Lincoln's defense held Simpson in the top of the inning, their offense would need to go to work against Mike Garland, who was brought into the game in the fifth. Slugger Max Vigliotti was up first and quickly started the inning with a hard single to right. Will Brennan then followed with a line drive single to left. Now here's where "the call" that will be talked about for many years took place. Boyd hit a grounder to third baseman, Mike Gallo, who tried to tag the runner coming from second and then threw to first to get Boyd. There was confusion, Simpson thought they had turned a double play. Lincoln stated their case that he missed the baserunner but got the batter at first. In the end, that's where we stood...second and third with one out. Jeff White was up next and on a 0-1 pitch, White hit a tapper out front of the plate that Garland pounced on but then threw wildly to home. Everyone was safe and the game was tied 9-9 with the bases still loaded.

Mike Kent was next up with a chance to win the game and give Lincoln a commanding 2-0 series lead but Garland wasn't having it as he struck Kent out on three pitches. Enter Sean Gorman. Gorman is in his tenth year of play at M Street and has experienced his share of playoff heartbreak. Ball - high an outside. Gorman was on a Lincoln team that was one out away from winning a championship. Ball 2 - high. In that same game, the score was tied 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh with runners on the corners. Foul - straight back, 2-1 count. All Lincoln needed was a fly ball or a ground ball to get the runner in from third. Ball three - low, 3-1 count with the bases loaded. Instead, the batter hit a sharp ground ball to Steve Stalcup who flipped to Luis Colon and then fired to first to complete the double play. Lincoln would lose that game and the series. Ball four - high - game over! Gorman draws a two out bases loaded walk to give Lincoln a 2-0 series lead. It was a thrilling win for Lincoln and a gut wrenching loss for Garland and the Simpson Club.

The game was lost on the final walk but it should be noted that the pitching staff for the Simpson Club was less than stellar in this one. Dupree started the game but was chased after four very ineffective innings - five runs on four hits and eight walks...yes, eight walks! Garland was no better as he threw 2 2/3 innings, giving up six hits, five runs, and walked four batters. That's twelve free passes in a key game against a great hitting team. With those numbers it's a wonder this game wasn't a blowout in Lincoln's favor. Whoever gets the ball for Simpson in game three will need to give them a much better outing or it will be curtains.

Sean Gorman	Miguel Dupree	Chris Boyd	Brian Goodman	Conor Gleason

Lincoln Tavern 9 - Simpson Club 2

For the second game in a row, Miguel Dupree hit a towering homerun to put the Simpson Club on top but that would be the last of their scoring. From that point forward, the boys in blue could only muster five singles off pitcher Chris Boyd and couldn't advance any of the runners past second base. At one point, Boyd retired eight in a row which gave the offense plenty of time to find their groove.

In the top of the fourth, Conor Gleason (double, 2 triples) smoked a drive off the fence in center field for a one out double. Dave Corcoran then singled to put runners on second and third with one out. Taylor Ferguson was then walked to load the bases for Max Vigliotti. On a 1-1 offering, Max hit a line drive to third that was caught for the out but the throw to double off the runner at first went wide allowing Gleason to score to tie the game, 2-2. No big deal, get the next out and battle on. However, the next batter would change the entire complexion of the game and series. Lefty Will Brennan stepped in and nearly got hit as the first pitched sailed high and up by the shoulders. Mike Garland then fired a strike down the middle and Brennan didn't took a mighty cut at it and sent it sailing over the fence in center (300+ feet) for a three run homerun, 5-2.

After a scoreless fifth, Lincoln went back on the attack when Gleason led off with a triple. They would send nine batters to the plate and score four huge insurance runs and could now feel the championship was within reach for the first time. Andy Hillier came through with the clutch two out, two run single in the uprising, 9-2.

Boyd then got the Simpson Club to go quietly in the sixth and they were suddenly down to their final three outs. In the bottom of the seventh it was more of the same. The Simpson Club couldn't get the bats going against Boyd tonight as he gave up a lead off single to Dupree but then retired the next three batters and that was it - series over! Lincoln Tavern swept the defending champions and captured their first M Street Softball championship.

It was a dominating performance by the Lincoln team and a deserving sweep. However, for the many softball fans watching at home and in the ballpark it was anticlimactic. It was like a prize boxing match that had been promoted to the point that you couldn't wait to see the actual fight. Fight night arrives and it's over in thirty seconds and you kind of leave feeling robbed. That's what took place here tonight - it was a one sided affair and Lincoln deserves all the credit. They simply dominated by never allowing the moment of playing in the finals get too big.

At the conclusion of the game, the Lincoln squad gathered around the M Street Cup for their championship photo. The smiles were wide and the cameras were clicking to capture the moment. Pitcher, Chris Boyd was named the series MVP - his second such honor. The men in black then carried the Cup off the field and headed to Lincoln Tavern for a very deserving team celebration. Congratulations boys!

Chris Boyd	Conor Gleason	Miguel Dupree	Will Brennan

The M Street Cup made its rounds - here it is during a rooftop celebration

The M Street Cup at the Lincoln Tavern on West Broadway

Lincoln wins series 3-0

Lincoln Tavern 10 - Los Bravos 9

Los Bravos struck paydirt early and were up 8-1 after three innings of play. They were loose, talkative, and having a great deal of fun as they should be. Then Lincoln's bats woke up and started to find the holes and suddenly we had an 8-6 game and the Bravos were not as chatty. The game moved onto the seventh, Bravos had tacked on a run in the sixth and were comfortably ahead, 9-6. Three ground balls and a walk later, we had bases loaded with nobody out and a 9-7 game. The wheels were squeaking and about to fall off. Taylor Ferguson singled to make it a one run game, 9-8. Max Vigliotti then ripped the game winning hit up the middle and just like that, Lincoln had stole game one from the Bravos. Pitcher Jose Bonilla took the tough loss as he had only given up just one earned run.

Max Vigliotti	Jose Bonilla	Taylor Ferguson

Game 2:   Tuesday, September 15 @ 8:15pm

Los Bravos 13 - Lincoln Tavern 1

On a cool fall night, Lincoln drew first blood in the top of the second when Jeff White scored on an infield error. Little did they know that run would be their last of the game as pitcher, Jose Bonilla, brought his "A" game and tossed a three hitter. Bonilla got the run support he needed too as the Bravos offense sprung to life by plating seven runs in the bottom of the second. Manny Soto and Jonathan Bonilla struck the big blows in the inning as both doubled home a pair of runs, 7-1.

The two clubs then traded zeroes for three plus innings before the Bravos put this one away with a seven run sixth. Francis Reyes (3 hits) and Anthony Uyeda (2 hits/ 3 RBI) came up with the clutch hits as the Bravos avoid the sweep and force a deciding game three on Thursday.

Jose Bonilla	Francis Reyes	Anthony Uyeda

Lincoln Tavern 13 - Los Bravos 1

This pitching line for Bravos, Jose Bonilla, will tell the story...5 2/3 innings pitched...11 hits allowed...13 runs allowed...0 earned runs...4 walks....5 strikeouts. 0 earned runs folks! Lincoln scored three runs in the first inning after the first two batters were retired - E3, single, and then a double by Chris Boyd made it 2-0. Boyd scored on Andy Hillier's single, three unearned runs to start - not good! The cracks were showing and the wheels were squeaking.

The game moves to the third inning and Bonilla himself singles home their first and only run, 3-1. He then takes the mound and throws two more scoreless innings to keep his team in the game. His counterpart, Chris Boyd, was also throwing his best game of the series a the Bravos offense couldn't get on track.

In the bottom of the sixth, the wheels fell off the Bravo cart for good. The inning starts with two straight errors by the shortstop followed by a walk. Bases were loaded with nobody out which had Bonilla in a very difficult position. However, the strong righty struck out the next two batters (4 outs) and suddenly it appeared as if he would escape the inning without giving up a run. Walk, 2-run double by Dave Corcoran, 2-run single by Will Brennan, RBI single by Taylor Ferguson, another error by the shortstop (5 outs), RBI double by Boyd, RBI single by Hillier, and finally, a RBI single by Jeff White ended the game, 13-1. It was an U G L Y ending. Thirteen unearned runs! Bonilla and the Bravos players deserved a full effort from all of their teammates - it was clear they didn't get it on this night.

Lincoln will now take on the defending champion Pat Simpson Club in a best of five series for the championship.

Jose Bonilla	Chris Boyd	Will Brennan

 Lincoln wins series 2-1

Simpson Club 12 - STATS 3

After a two week layoff, the Simpson Club quickly shook off any rust by out-hitting, out-pitching, and out-powering STATS in their game one victory. A three-run homerun by Brad Morrill in the fifth salted this one away. The two squads will pick up the series on Monday where STATS will be in a must win situation.

Mike Garland	Brad Morrill

Game 2:   Monday, September 14 @ 8:15pm 

STATS 12 - Simpson Club 3

With their pre-game music blasting, the Simpson Club players were loose and had their sights set on completing the sweep but STATS flipped the script. STATS hit, pitched, and played flawless defense throughout the game while the Simpson Club's defense didn't help their pitcher and their offense (6 hits) didn't help themselves.

The outcome of the game may have been decided when the Simpson Club trailed 5-2 in the top of the fourth with two outs and a runner on first. Mike Bulman hit a ball to deep center that easily scored the base runner but STATS outfielder, Tim Higgins, gave chase and quickly got the ball into shortstop, Robb Scott. Scott turned and fired a strike to catcher Phil Sciretta that easily nailed Bulman at the plate. The play lifted the STATS players as they quickly responded with a six run inning, and led 11-3 after four innings. Tad Gold (3 hits, 3 RBI), Tom Kazanowksi (3 hits), and Dylan Britton (3 hits, 3 RBI) struck the big blows in the six run uprising. Simpson tried to regroup in between innings but it just wasn't to be tonight. STATS forces a game three winner take all to decide who's going to the finals.

Tad Gold	Robb Scott	Dylan Britton	Tom Kazanowski

Game 3:   Wednesday, September 16 @ 8:15pm

Simpson Club 3 - STATS 2

With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Pat Dolbeare led off with a single to shallow left and then moved to third on Mike Gallo's single up the middle. After a conference at the mound, it was decided to pitch to the next batter, Mike Lush. Lush turned on a 0-1 fastball and hit a grounder that eluded the drawn in infielders for the series winner. It was an end to a great game that was played in front of 200 fans at M Street and many more who were at home watching through Facebook. "That was the greatest softball game I have ever watched," said one spectator. It was another M Street playoff classic that this writer was thrilled to take part.

Prior to the game winner, this was a defensive pitcher's duel from the outset. Miguel Dupree (Simpson Club) and Mark Senna (STATS) were firing strikes and dominating the batters while the fielders were making the plays behind them. Dupree, would finish his night allowing only two hits and giving up just one earned run. The run scored when STATS took a brief 2-1 lead in the fourth on a rare error, a triple by Tad Gold, and a sacrifice fly but those would be the only runs of the night. Simpson picked up their pitcher by answering in the home half of the inning when a fielder's choice scored Brian Goodman from third, 2-2.

After the game concluded, the two teams quickly came together at home plate and shook hands. Due to safety/COVID effect, this was the first time all season where the customary hand shake took place. I think it was fitting and necessary as both clubs deserved this one and wanted to acknowledge and congratulate their opponent.

The Simpson Club will now take on Lincoln Tavern in a best of five final starting on Monday.

Miguel Dupree	Brian Goodman	Pat Dolbeare	Mike Lush	Mark Senna

Simpson Club wins series 2-1

Lincoln Tavern 10 - The Kekambas 4

After trouncing the Kekambas last week, it was pretty evident that Lincoln Tavern was a heavy, heavy favorite to win this game. Well, if you were a betting man and took Lincoln you would have sweated this one out. The Kekambas played inspired ball behind pitcher Keith Savage and got great defense throughout the game. In the third, David Kurey put them ahead 4-3 with a two run home run and suddenly what was supposed to be a laugher was nothing but. Lincoln pulled their starter and put in ace pitcher Chris Boyd in a move that paid off. Boyd threw four scoreless innings which gave the Lincoln offense time to catch their breath and flex their muscles. Jeff White's bases clearing triple in the bottom of the fifth iced the game. Lincoln Tavern will now take on Los Bravos in a best of three series.

Max Vigliotti	Jeff White	Keith Savage

Los Bravos 12 - Telegraph Hill 3

Mike Araujo weaved in and out of the Los Bravos attack and had his Telegraph Hill squad ahead 1-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning when everything changed. With a runner on first and one out, a walk and a bloop single to left loaded the bases. With the pressure mounting the count ran full before Araujo lost the batter, Rey Melo, and the game was tied, 1-1. Tati Baez then ripped a line drive off of Araujo's body and the Bravos were ahead 2-1. Roger Pegeuro then delivered a two-run single which quickly made it 4-1. Jonathan Bonilla then doubled and later scored turning a pitcher's duel between Araujo and Jose Bonilla into a run away victory for Los Bravos. The Bravos would score five more runs in the bottom of the sixth to salt this one away. Bravos will now take on the hard hitting Lincoln Tavern squad in a best of three series.

Rey Melo	Tati Baez	Jose Bonilla

STATS 6 - Pirates 1

STATS loaded the bases in the first inning and managed to score four runs without the benefit of the big hit (this would be the theme tonight). The Pirates responded the very next inning by loading the bases too. However, they weren't as fortunate as veteran pitcher, Mark Senna, escaped the inning by yielding only one run, 4-1. The Pirates loaded them again in the third as Senna lost the zip on his pitches and was clearly battling something on the mound. But battle he did and again was helped by superb defense and got out of the jam unscathed.

On the other side of the diamond, Jim Pinkston was settling in and racking up the strikeouts (5). Then in the top of the fourth and for the third straight inning, the Pirates loaded the bases again. Senna weaseled his way out of this one too, still 4-1 STATS. In the fifth, he found the zip again and quickly worked through the heart of the Pirates order. The STAT offense then responded with a two-run fifth highlited by a clutch single by Kevin Miller and that would be all the scoring in this one. STATS will now face the defending champion, Pat Simpson Club in a best of three series.

Mark Senna	Kevin Miller	Charlie Conners