Melrose wins fifth straight to move into tie for first

Lexington – The Americans scored at least a run in each of the first four innings on the way to a 9-3 win over the Malden Maddogs, Sunday morning in the first game of the Jerie DeAngelis Memorial Day of Baseball.

Melrose wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. After Malden starter Kenny Chaves retired the first two Americans, Chris Hopkins and John Jennings singled to put runners on first and second. Chaves hit Malcolm Nachmanoff on a 1-0 pitch to load the bases. Dave Center, who finished with three RBI on the day, delivered with a single to right scoring Hopkins and Jennings and it was 2-0 Melrose.

The Americans added four more runs in the second, the final two coming on Jennings second home run of the season. The other two runs came on a Will Shackleford sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Hopkins, for a 6-0 Melrose lead.

Malden broke through in the second inning scoring three runs on three hits and two Americans errors. Geoff Lopes, Joe Klingensmith and Pete Maltzan each singled to load the bases with one out. PJ McDonald brought in Lopes with a sacrifice fly for the first run. Klingensmith and Maltzan each scored on errors to cut the lead to 6-3 after two.

After the second Melrose starter Chris Mitchell retired the final nine Maddog batters he faced, the final three in the fifth on strike outs. Mitchell improved to 3-0 on the season and finished his five inning effort with six K’s and gave up four hits.

Jennings finished the day with three hits, three runs and two RBI. Casey Santos-OCampo had two doubles, a run, and two RBI as he doubled in both third inning runs. Hopkins had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run.

Kenny Chaves (0-1) took the loss for Malden. In five innings of work he gave up 11 hits, nine runs, seven earned runs, walked one and struck out four.

Lopes had two hits for the Maddogs and scored a run.

Melrose has now won five straight and moved them into a tie for first with Watertown (7-3, 14 points) at 7-2, 14 points. The victory also snapped a three-game losing streak on the Day of Baseball.

ALL GAMES AT LEXINGTON HIGH ON SUNDAY, JUNE 24
11:00 AM- MELROSE AMERICANS VS MALDEN MADDOGS
1:00 PM- ANDRE CHIEFS VS LEXINGTON BLUE SOX
3:00 PM- WAKEFIELD MERCHANTS VS READING BULLDOGS
5:00 PM- SOMERVILLE ROYALS VS WATERTOWN REDS

The Lexington Blue Sox annually host the Jerie DeAngelis Memorial Day of Baseball. Jerie was and will always remain a vital part of the Blue Sox organization. In recognition and honor of Jerie, the annual Day of Baseball will feature eight Intercity League teams this year.

Jerie DeAngelis’ imprint is evident, and her unconquerable spirit continues to exist and flourish, throughout the Blue Sox Baseball Program. The design of the uniforms, hats, sweatsuits, windbreakers, tee shirts, team bags, and other gear are Jerie’s creation. The Blue Sox logos, for which there are many, were designed by Jerie with precision. The Blue Sox’s 1998 Intercity league Championship Rings bear her unique imprint. Since the inception of the Blue Sox in 1995, Jerie produced the Blue Sox game programs for all home games.

More importantly, Jerie cared about and helped the Blue Sox players off the diamond. She assisted and advised players with their career decisions, she fed players at planned and impromptu dinners and hosted team parties. Friendships were formed between Jerie and players’ wives, mothers and girl friends. Those bonds will never be broken.

In addition to her significant and meaningful work with the Blue Sox, Jerie had a passion for amateur athletics in Lexington. She was a Lexington High School Basketball and Baseball Booster and was instrumental in the Lexington Babe Ruth program. Jerie was also a Trustee of Curry College. She assisted numerous high school athletes with their college plans and financial aid decisions. In 1998 she was the recipient of the Lexington High School Basketball Boosters Award in recognition of her outstanding support of that program. Curry College also awarded Jerie an honorary Doctor of Education degree at its 1998 Commencement.

In 1995, the Blue Sox set out to put together an organization which would represent the Town of Lexington in a first class manner in the competitive Intercity League. That goal was achieved thanks in large part to Jerie’s work and concern. Her graphic designs, advice and counsel evidence her commitment to the Town. Along with Dick Perry, Larry Kohler, Nick Santosuosso and Rick DeAngelis, Jerie was an important part of the efforts to improve the Center Field Baseball facility. Jerie was a key contributor to the Lexington Lights Project at the center Field Diamond.

John Jennings (pictured) hit a walkoff home run in bottom of the 7th inning to give the Melrose Americans a 2-1 win over the Lexington Blue Sox at Morelli.  The Americans tied the game in the sixth on Will Shackleford’s RBI single, scoring Dan Cacciola. Lexington took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Julian Alvarez that brought in Thomas Russo, who had doubled.  Kyle Autillo pitched seven strong innings, scattering eight hits and striking out two to get the win.

Ryan Collins had three hits and Dillon Koster and Paul McGunigle had two RBI’s each to lead the Wakefield Merchants past the Malden Maddogs at Walsh. Joseph Maguire (3-0) went four innings in relief to pick up his third straight win of the season.

At Maplewood, the Watertown Reds broke open a close game, scoring six runs in the top of the seventh to send the Andre Chiefs down to their fourth straight defeat 11-4. Worth Walrod (3-0) went six innings to get the win while Jared Freni (3-1) took the loss.

The Somerville Royals and Alibrandis played to a 3-3 nine inning tie at Trum Field.

Thursday’s Reading vs. Alibrandis game, that was scheduled in Lexington, has been postponed due a field conflict.

Richie Burgos had two hits, scored three runs, and added four RBI’s, that included his first home run of the year, to lead the Lexington Blue Sox to a 9-7 victory over the Andre Chiefs in a rain delayed game at Maplewood. The Blue Sox received 12 walks and a hit batsman with eight of them either scoring or driving in a run. Ben Waldrip had two solo homers and Johnny Welch and Juan Portes also had home runs for the Chiefs. Drew Leenhouts (2-1) picked up the win while Evan Walsh (0-1) took the loss.

The Wakefield Merchants-Albrandis game in Lexington was suspended due to rain in the third inning with no score.

The Reading Bulldogs at Melrose Americans game, scheduled for Morelli Field, was rained out.

On Tuesday, the Merchants visit the Watertown Reds at Bentley University at 6:00 PM and the Malden Bulldogs will meet the Chiefs at Maplewood in a 7:45 PM start.