Northern Essex standout Kyle Hawes (Lynnfield, MA) went 2-4 with a double and three RBI’s to lead the Reading Bulldogs to an opening night win over the Malden Maddogs 6-3 in an all canine battle at Maplewood Park in Malden. Mike Taylor and Mark DeBenedetto each chipped in with RBI’s as the Bulldogs took advantage of eight walks issued by the Malden pitching staff. Sean O’Neill (1-0) picked up the win for the Bulldogs going the final four innings in relief of Connor Root.

In Somerville, the Andre Chiefs rode the left arm of veteran Tim Dunphy, who went six innings, to turn back the Somerville Royals 2-1 at Trum Field. The Chiefs’ Matt Nuzzo and the Royals’ Brady Chant matched solo homers until the Chiefs pushed across the winning run on a doubleplay ball in the top of the fourth. Dunphy struck out seven on the way to recording his 47th career win for the Chiefs. David Kerns chalked up the save striking out two in the bottom of the seventh. Luke Gustavson (0-1) took the loss in relief of starter Paul Covelle.

Three games are on tap for Wednesday. The Merchants host the Melrose Americans at Walsh Field in Wakefield at 6:00 PM, the Bulldogs and Chiefs battle at Maplewood/Malden Catholic at 8:00 PM, and the Royals visit Alibrandis at Trum at 8:30 PM.

Alden Park had three hits, including a home run and two RBI’s, to lead the Somerville Royals to a 4-2 opening day win over the Americans in Melrose. John Collette with two hits and a home run and Adam Johnson with three hits paced a Royals’ 13 hit offense that picked up all of its runs in the top of the fourth inning. Dave Center had two hits and drove in both of the Melrose runs. Lefty Jonathan Richard (1-0) went six innings to get the win while Luke Gustavson picked up the save.

The Lexington Blue Sox began their title defense on a high note beating Alibrandis 8-4 at Trum Field in Somerville. The Blue Sox scored five times in the top of the fifth inning to erase a 4-2 Alibrandis lead. Richie Burgos two-run single gave Lexington the lead for good at 5-4. Alex Voitik went 4-4 with a run and RBI and Josue Feliciano scored three runs for Lexington. Jake Miller hit a solo homer to left in the third for Alibrandis. Kelvin Guzman (1-0) chalked up the win.

The Wakefield Merchants-Reading Bulldogs game was washed out due to yesterday’s late day rain.

On Monday the Merchants visit the Andre Chiefs at Maplewood and the Blue Sox host the Americans at Lexington High. Both games will start at 8:00 PM.