Wakefield, Reading & Lexington Win on Wednesday
Steve Keskinidis tossed a neat four-hitter, striking out 11, when the Merchants turned back the Arlington Trojan 8-2 in Wakefield. Bobby Lossano (pictured above) and Louis Tarrantino both had perfect nights at the plate going a combined 7 for 7 and each stealing a base for Wakefield, who won their second straight to open the season. Lossano went 4 for 4, scored two runs, and had two RBI. Tarrantino went 3 for 3, scored three times, and drove in a run.
At Maplewood, the Chiefs and Bulldogs hooked up in good one with Reading coming out on top 8-7 in nine innings. Hank Oringer, who had a 3 for 5 night, scored the game winner in the top of the ninth after reaching on a single. Mike Andre (2 hits) tied the game up for the Chiefs in the bottom of the 7th with an RBI single and Mike Burgoyne did the same with a ground rule double in the 8th. Jordan Roper and Mike Taylor each had two hits for the Bulldogs. Nate Witkowski hit a solo homer for the Chiefs. Jack Burke picked up the win in relief and Sam Kasten struck eight for the Chiefs in five innings out of the bullpen.
In Lexington, Tom Russo had three hits and three RBI to lead the Blue Sox to an 8-0 win over the Melrose Ameriacns. Veteran Ross Curley (3 runs scored, 2 hits), Josh Hasell (2 hits, 2 RBI), and John Puttress (2 hits ), paced the offense. Ryan Filipowicz pitched four innings in relief to earn his first win. He gave up one hit and struck out six. Dillon Corliss started for Melrose and pitched three innings, taking the loss. Mike Addesa, Nick Herzog and Tom Petry had the Americans hits.
There are two games on the ICL schedule on Thursday. The Merchants travel to Victory Field in Watertown at 7:45 PM to meet the Reds and the Blue Sox entertain the Chiefs in Lexington at 8:00 PM.