Merchants & Chiefs Sweep into Final Four

The Wakefield Merchants and Andre Chiefs both won on Monday night and will now move on to the best of three semi-finals which began on Wednesday night.

The Merchants rode the strong pitching of James McNamara to beat the #6 Malden Maddogs 4-1 at Morelli Field. The Merchants got a homer and double from Bobby Lossano and two hits and an RBI from Dillon Koster to pace their offense.

McNamara allowed just four hits in his complete game effort. Zak Levine took the loss for the Maddogs.

The #3 Merchants will now play #2 Alibrandis. Game one of that series is scheduled to begin Wednesday night at Victory Field in Watertown at 7:30 PM.

At Maplewood, Evan Walsh held the #4 Reading Bulldogs hitless over the first five innings, and ended up with a three-hitter, in the Chiefs 6-1 win. Ben Waldrip led the Chiefs’ offense with a three for four night, that included two doubles and an RBI, and Nick Leva chipped in with two hits and an RBI.

Walsh struck out 12 and allowed only an unearned run in the top of the seventh when Matt Debenedetto scored on a throwing error after doubling. Anthony Sapienza gave up just four hits in 3.2 innings but took the loss.

The #5 Chiefs will now take on the #1 Lexington Blue Sox. Game one of that series is scheduled to begin Wednesday night at Lexington High at 7:45 PM.