ICL’s Reunion & Alumni Comedy Show to be held May 8 in Saugus

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The Intercity League’s pre-season Reunion & Alumni Comedy Show will be on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Prince Pizzeria from 6:00-10:00 PM.

Tickets are $50.00 and pizza is included. The evening will feature three comedians, a cash bar, silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Call or text 617-839-1488 for ticket information.

Payment can be made by Venmo@intercityleaguebaseball.

The Prince Pizzeria is located at 519 Broadway (Route One Southbound) in Saugus.

2024 Intercity League Award Winners Announced

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2024 Intercity League Champions- Andre Chiefs
Eddie Larson MVP- Chris Klein, Melrose Americans
Tom Cassell Outstanding Hitter- Chris Klein, Melrose Americans
Outstanding Pitcher-Silas Reed, Andre Chiefs
Fireman of the Year- A.J. Rourke, Andre Chiefs
Les DeMarco Sportsmanship Award- Sam Feeley, Lexington Blue Sox
Rookie Hitter of the Year- Nick Anderson, Lexington Blue Sox
Rookie Pitcher of the Year- Matt Draper, Lexington Blue Sox
Batting Champion- Sam Browning, Malden Maddogs
Playoff MVP’s- Teddy Dziuba, Tyler Ferdinand, Nate Witkowski, Andre Chiefs
Playoff Pitching MVP-Silas Reed, Andre Chiefs

 

 

Bentley Legend and ICL Charter Hall of Famer Bob DeFelice Passes Away

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Bentley University announced on Monday afternoon the death of legendary baseball coach and Director of Athletics Bob DeFelice at the age of 82.

DeFelice spent 54 seasons as coach of the Bentley University baseball program until he retired in 2022. At the time of his retirement no baseball coach at any NCAA level had a longer tenure.

Bob was inducted as a charter member of the Intercity League Hall of Fame in 2010 after a long and outstanding playing career as a catcher with the Boston Typos and the Hosmer Chiefs.

A 1963 graduate of Boston College, “Defa” spent three seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization. He was a lifelong resident of Winthrop, MA and served as Winthrop High School’s football coach for 17 years and led the Vikings to two Super Bowls.

Bob’s obituary is below:Robert DeFelice Obituary

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Anthony (“Coach”) DeFelice announce his passing on Sunday October 6, 2024. He was 82 years old at the time of his passing. An educator, administrator, and coach with a career spanning six decades, Coach will be remembered lovingly and forever for the countless number of lives he impacted. He was a lifelong resident of his beloved Winthrop, MA

DeFelice is a 1959 graduate of Winthrop High School, and a 1963 graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree in history. He began his coaching career in 1963 as head football coach and assistant basketball coach at Christopher Columbus High School, a position he held for three years. In 1965, he began a three-year playing career in the Boston Red Sox minor league organization. In 1967, he was a player-coach with the Pittsfield Red Sox. In that same year, He became the first head baseball coach of the then Bentley College Baseball program, a position he would hold for an astonishing 54 years.

DeFelice spent 17 years (1970-86) as an educator, administrator, and head football coach at his alma mater, Winthrop High School. During that time, he led the Viking football program to a 101-65-2 record, with four Northeast Conference championships, a 33-game winning streak in the early 1980’s and two Eastern Massachusetts Division II Super Bowl titles. In 1987, he joined the Bentley University athletic department staff on a full-time basis, first as an assistant athletic director, then an associate athletic director, and finally in 1991 as the Director of Athletics. He held this position until he retired in 2022 at the age of 80.

He has been inducted into nine Halls of Fame, the most recent being the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association Hall of Fame. He was honored by Boston College in 1986, Bentley in October 1999, and was a charter member of the Winthrop High Hall of Fame in 1997. In November 2002, he was one of four inductees into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. In November 2010, he was a charter inductee into the Intercity Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches, the Boston Park League and the Union Printers International Baseball League halls of fame. DeFelice helped establish the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and was a founder of the Eastern Football Conference. He served as the EFC commissioner from 1997-2000, when it was absorbed by the Northeast-10 Conference.

Among the many honors he has received are the Jack Butterfield Award from the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association, the Murray Lewis Award from the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Football Officials and the Whitey Allard and Marty McDonough Memorial Sportsmanship Award from the College Baseball Umpires Association of New England. He received the George C. Carens Award from the New England Football Writers in December 2017 for his lifelong contributions to the sport of football and received the Ron Burton Distinguished American Award in May 2022 from the Grinold Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

DeFelice is survived by his wife of over 57 years Patricia (Markunas) DeFelice, his 4 children Christine, Kimberly, Michael, and Nicole all of Winthrop MA, and seven grandchildren: Alexandra, Michael, Robert, Anthony, Francesca, Matthew, and Nicholas. He is also survived by his Brother Francis DeFelice and his wife Susan (Mahegan) of Swampscott, MA, his sister Susan DeFelice of Winthrop, MA and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the funeral home on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral mass in St. John the Evangelist Church 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10:00 AM. Services will conclude with the interment in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Viking Pride Foundation at www.vikingpride.org or to the Bentley Falcons Athletics at www.bentley.edu.

 

Andre Chiefs are Champions, Again

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Malden – For the second consecutive season the Andre Chiefs find themselves atop the Intercity League. The Chiefs edged out Lexington 5-4 in 8 innings Monday night at Pine Banks.

For the Andre Chiefs, this is the first time they have won back-to-back titles.

The first seven innings was a classic Chiefs – Blue Sox battle which saw the two teams end regulation in a 1-1 tie.

The Chiefs broke open the game in the top of the eighth as the Blue Sox defense uncharacteristically made errors at a crucial moment.  The inning began with Andrew Caulfield reaching on an error. Nate Witkowski singled, his second of the game, and the Chiefs had runners on first and second. Joe Bova reached on a fielder’s choice with Witkowski forced at second, and pinch-runner Nolan Lopes who was running for Caulfield, going to third. Number nine hitter Nick Valdario dropped down a bunt which Sox first baseman  Justin Bosland charged in, fielded, and tossed to catcher Max Dushney, but Lopes slide knocked the ball out of Dushney’s glove and everyone was safe and the Chiefs had a 2-1 lead. After the second out, Tyler Ferdinand singled to right for his third hit to drive in two runs and give the Chiefs a 4-1 lead. Ferdinand scored the final run on a Sox error and it was 5-1 Andre.

Lexington was not done. Chiefs starter, Silas Reed, struck out Anderson Jimenez and Julian Alvarez to put the Chiefs within one out of the championship. Jeff Costello drove a ball down the leftfield line into the corner and dove into third with a triple. It was the first extra-base hit of the game. On a 3-1 pitch, Nick Andersen took the ball the opposite way to left field driving it over the fence for. a two-run home run cutting the lead to 5-3. It was the Blue Sox’s first home run of the postseason. Chiefs manager Anthony Perry replaced Reed with game two starter Paul Frisoli. On another 3 and 1 pitch pinch-hitter Dom Gabardi went deep over the centerfield fence and suddenly it was 5-4 Andre. Frisoli ended the fireworks by striking out pinch hitter Andrew Selima and giving the title to the Chiefs.

“It’s amazing,” stated Chiefs manager Anthony Perry when asked about winning consecutive titles. “It starts with a very special group of guys who believe in the process and our mission.” “It actually starts with Chuck (team owner Chuck Andre) he drives the ship.” Said Perry.

“It is humbling to win with this group, especially coach Dave Caiazzo , who accepted the ICL Les Demarco championship trophy for the Chiefs, and who is retiring after this season,’ said Perry.

“I cannot say enough about the Lexington Blue Sox” stated Perry. “They are a great franchise led by Rick DeAngelis.”

The championship is the eighth Intercity League title for the Andre Chiefs. The Hosmer Chiefs have also won eight ICL titles. Hosmer also won five Suburban Twi-League titles.

The Chiefs scored first in the top of the third. Singles by Ferdinand and Teddy Dzuiba put runners on the corner with one out. Hector Pellot’s infield out brought in Ferdinand for the 1-0 lead.

Lexington knotted the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth. The Sox loaded the bases on singles by Alvarez and Costello, his second of three hits, and a fielder’s choice for Josue Feliciano. After the second out, Dushney was walked on four pitches to force in Alvarez and tie the game at 1-1.

Reed (3-0) gave up seven hits in his 7 and 2/3 innings pitched. Reed finished his night with seven strikeouts, three walks, and three runs allowed.

Matt Draper started for Lexington and gave them four strong innings. He scattered five hits, struck out three, and gave up the lone run.

Ryan O’Rourke entered the game for the Blue Sox in the fifth following a single by Juan Parra. First baseman Bosland stopped the Chiefs threat, runners on the corners, as he made a diving stop on a ball headed to right field for the third out. O’Rourke also left runners stranded in the sixth and seventh innings. The lefty struck out four in his 3 and 2/3 innings of work.

Blue Sox manager stated, “It is never easy against the Chiefs.” They come right at you.”

These two teams battled for the eighth time in the ICL finals with the Chiefs coming out on top for the third time. This was the first time these two longstanding ICL franchises met in the finals since 2016.

Another Intercity League season has come to a close. Again, the ICL provided its fans with some of the best amateur baseball in the area. The players and coaches thank the fans for their support this season.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2025.

 

By Bruce Hack, Lexington Team Historian

 

 

On to Game Five

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1:30 PM UPDATE- MONDAY’S DECIDING GAME 5 WILL NOW BE PLAYED AT PINE BANKS STARTING AT 7:45 PM. PINE BANKS IS LOCATED ON THE MALDEN/MELROSE LINE. ENTER 100 MAIN ST, MELROSE MA 02176, INTO YOUR GPS. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO BLEACHER SEATING AT PINE BANKS. FANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR OWN CHAIRS.

Malden – Lexington extended the 2024 Intercity League Finals to a fifth game winning 7-3 Sunday night at Maplewood Park at Malden Catholic High School.

The game was moved to Maplewood as Morelli Field was unplayable due to rain. The site of game five is scheduled for Morelli, but the weather may cause the game to be played at Maplewood.

Lexington broke open a 3-3 tie with four runs in the top of the seventh. A walk Justin Bosland started the rally. Max Dushney dropped a bunt that Andre starter Evan Walsh fielded and threw over the head of first baseman Mitchell Schroeder and into right field. The errant throw allowed Bosland to come all the way around from first to score the go-ahead run.  An infield out moved Dushney to third. The Chiefs went to the bullpen for the first time in the series and brought in A. J. Rourke. Jake McElroy greeted Rourke with a single to score Dushney for a 5-3 Blue Sox lead. Ben Leonard, a bases-loaded walk, and Josue Feliciano, single to left, drove in the final two Blue Sox runs for a 7-3 lead.

Jean Carlos Ramirez (1-0) stranded Chiefs runners on second and third in the bottom of the seventh as he retired the last two Chiefs on outfield fly balls. Ramirez entered the game in the fourth with two runs scored and runners on second and third. He walked the first batter he faced to load the bases and then struck out Nick Valdario and Juan Parra on called third strikes. He finished his 3.2 innings outing walking six, striking out seven, and giving up three hits and a run.

The Blue Sox scored three runs in the first. McElroy started the game off with an eight-pitch walk. Anderson Jimenez singled to drive in McElroy with his sixth RBI of the playoffs. Julian Alvarez followed with his sixth RBI on a sacrifice fly that brought home Jeff Costello. Jimenez scored the third run on a wild pitch.

The Chiefs cut into the Sox lead in the fourth scoring two runs on Nate Witkowski’s double to make it 3-2.  Though the Chiefs loaded the bases they could not do more damage in the fourth.

The Chiefs knotted the score at 3-3 in the sixth. A walk to Witkowski and a single by Joe Bova put Chiefs on first and second with no outs. After Valdario struck out looking for the second time, Parra reached on fielder’s choice with Witkowski being forced at third on a nice play by Sox shortstop Jimenez. With two outs Tyler Ferdinand delivered a single through the right side that scored Bova and the game was all tied up.

Yemer Pineda started for Lexington and went 3.1 innings before Witkowski’s double knocked him out of the game. He gave up just Witkowski’s hit but walked six Chiefs.

Walsh (1-1), in his second start of the playoffs, lasted 6.1 innings. The lefty allowed only two hits; but walked four and gave up five runs, four earned.

Chiefs’ veteran Teddy Dzuiba was held hitless for only the second time in these playoffs. He walked three times and has 11 hits and nine walks in the postseason.

Lexington is now 6-1 in playoff games on August 18, including 2-0 versus the Chiefs. The Sox are now 15-6 on Sunday games in the playoffs and 6-1 against the Chiefs. Andre is now 5-8 on Sundays in the postseason and 5-3 in games on August 18.

This will be the fifth time in eight finals meetings that the Blue Sox and Chiefs have gone to a game five. The last time was in 2014.

This is the 11th meeting between the #1 and #2 seed in the finals since 2006. The previous ten times have been split evenly with each seed winning the title five times. A team will break that tie tonight.

 

By Bruce Hack Lexington Team Historian

Lexington Extends the Finals to Game Four

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Melrose – Lexington lives to play another day with a 1-0 game three win over Andre Friday night at Morelli Field.

Game Four is set for Sunday at 8:00 p.m. at Morelli Field in Melrose.

The Blue Sox scored the game’s lone run in the fifth inning. Jake McElroy doubled down the rightfield line with one out. After the second out, Anderson Jimenez singled to right and McElroy raced home to give Lexington a 1-0 lead.

Matt Draper picked up his first playoff win with two-hit, three-shutout innings. He came in relief in the fourth. In that frame, Draper pitched out of a runner on second and third with one out jam by striking out Juan Parra and Miles Reid. He retired nine of the last ten Chiefs batters he faced, six by strikeout.

Dan Metzdorf started for Lexington and threw four shutout innings. Metzdorf gave up one hit, walked two, and struck out six. He faced the minimum through three innings thanks to a first-inning double play. With Parra (HBP) on first and one out, Teddy Dzuiba lofted a to left center that Sox left fielder Ben Leonard tracked down and easily doubled up Parra who had rounded second base. Metzdorf set down the Chiefs in order in the second and third with four strikeouts. Dzuiba got the Chiefs first hit in the fourth ending the no-hit bid at 3 1/3 innings. The Chiefs loaded the bases on two walks sandwiched around Dzuiba’s hit. The Sox lefty got Byron Woodman on a pop-up too short to end the threat.

Tim Dunphy started for the Chiefs and pitched a complete game. The veteran lefty gave up eight hits, one run, walked one, and struck out two in six innings.

McElroy, Jimenez, and Dylan Walsh had two hits for the Blue Sox. McElroy has gone 6-for-8 in his last two playoff games, with five runs, three doubles, and an RBI.  Jimenez now has a four-game hit streak this postseason going 7-for-11 with two doubles; and five RBI.

The Blue Sox win snapped a four-game losing streak to the Chiefs in the playoffs going back to 2023. For Lexington, it was its third 1-0 game these playoffs and second 1-0 win. This is the first time since 2006 that there have been three 1-0 games in the Intercity League playoffs. The Blue Sox are now 4-3 in 1-0 playoff games since 2006. In the postseason the Sox are now 26-25 in 1-run games and 22-10 in shutouts. Against the Chiefs in the postseason Lexington is now 7-5 in 1-run games and 7-6 in shutouts.

The last time the Chiefs were blanked in the playoffs was on August 5, 2022, by Middlesex, 3-0. The last time by Lexington was on August 14, 2019, also 1-0 and Dunphy was the losing pitcher.

 

By Bruce Hack, Lexington Team Historian

Andre Chiefs, Intercity League Baseball

Chiefs One Way Away from Title

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Melrose – The Andre Chiefs put on a hitting clinic Wednesday night on their way to a 15-3 win over Lexington at Morelli Field. The Chiefs now lead the best-o-five finals 2-0 and can close out the series tonight in game three starting at 8:00 pm.

The Chiefs scored at least a run in all six innings including a six-run fourth that put the game away. They have now scored in seven consecutive innings going back to the seventh inning of game one.

Right fielder Joe Bova led the Chiefs’ 19-hit attack with three hits and five RBI. Bova was one of four Chiefs with three hits. Also, in the three-hit club were Teddy Dzuiba, Mitchell Schroeder, and Nate Witkowski. For Dzuiba it was his third straight three-hit game. For Schroeder and Witkowski they each scored and drove in two runs. Joining the hit parade were Hector Pellot with two hits and three runs, and Byron Woodman with two hits, two runs, and two RBI. Every Chiefs starter had at least one hit and scored a run.

Paul Frisoli was the beneficiary of the offense. The Chiefs starter went the distance and gave up five hits. He struck out 11, gave up three runs, and walked three. He had 1-2-3 innings in the second and third, setting down seven consecutive Lexington batters.

Lexington started quickly in the top of the first. Leadoff hitter Jeff Costello reached on a throwing error to begin the action. Anderson Jimenez followed with a double down the left-field line for a 1-0 Blue Sox lead. After the first out, Julian Alvarez singled up the middle driving in Jimenez with his 20th career postseason RBI.

The Blue Sox added their final run in the fourth. With the bases loaded on two fielders’ choices and a walk David VanderZouwen was walked on four pitches to bring in Julian Alvarez to make it 7-3 after 3 and a half.

The 15 runs scored equals the most scored by the Chiefs in a playoff game since 2006. The first time they scored 15 was on August 20, 2015, when they lost 16-15 in nine innings to Lexington in the championship-clinching game for the Blue Sox. Other team playoff records the Chiefs set are for hits (19), RBI (14), and total bases (24).

Bova’s five RBI came on a two-run single, a two-run double, and a solo home run. His offense came after striking out in his first two at bats. Bova’s five RBI are believed to be the third most in a playoff game for the Chiefs. He trails Ben Waldrip (7) on August 18, 2018, against Melrose and Juan Portes (6) in the nine-inning game against Lexington in 2015.

 

By Bruce Hack, Lexington Team Historian

Andre Chiefs, Intercity League Baseball

Reed leads Chiefs to Game One Finals WIn

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Melrose – The Andre Chiefs rode the right arm of Silas Reed to take game one of the Intercity League finals 5-3 over Lexington Tuesday night. Game two is scheduled for tonight at Morelli Field in Melrose, the host site of the finals.

In his second start of the playoffs, Reed pitched his second complete game to improve to 2-0 in the postseason. He was coming off a 1-hit shutout of Melrose in the first game of their semifinal series. Against Lexington, he gave up four hits, and three runs, walked three, struck out nine, and threw four wild pitches. He retired 11 consecutive Blue Sox batters from the last out of the third to the first out of the seventh, including three 1-2-3 innings.

The Chiefs got on board quickly scoring in the top of the first inning. Miles Reid singled, Teddy Dzuiba doubled (first of his three hits) to put runners on second and third with one out. Hector Pellot grounded out to short, and Reid crossed the plate for the 1-0 lead.

Lexington responded in their half of the second inning. A walk, hit batter, and walk loaded the bases with one out. Charlie Walsh delivered the tying run with a line drive single to center. The Blue Sox benefitted from Reed’s wildness as two passed balls allowed Josue Feliciano and Dylan Walsh to score and give the Sox a 3-1 lead.

The Chiefs quickly regained the lead in the top half of the third. A walk to Reid and, a single by Dzuiba placed Chiefs on first and second with one out. Pellot’s double to center scored Reid. Mitchell Schroeder followed with a single to drive in Dzuiba and knot the game at 3-3. Lexington starter Michael O’Brien was replaced by Chris Wanat who induced a ground ball by Bryon Woodman. Sox third baseman Anderson Jimenez charged the ball, fielded it cleanly, and made a nice throw to get Woodman at first, but Pellot scored giving the Chiefs a 4-3 lead.

Reed took over from there. He stranded Blue Sox on first and third in the third. Then he had his run of 11 straight batters set down until the seventh when the Sox got runners to second and third with two outs before he ended the game with a strikeout.

This was the third straight playoff win over Lexington for the Chiefs. They swept Lexington in two games in the semifinals last season. This was the Chiefs’ first win over Lexington in the finals since game five on August 26, 2014. The win was the seventh consecutive playoff win for the Chiefs dating back to last year’s finals.

For the eighth time, the Chiefs and Blue Sox are meeting in the finals. This is the fifth time they are going against each other as the #1 and #2 seeds. Seeding is based on a team’s finish in the regular season. By finishing first Lexington is the number seed for the playoffs. The two teams have split the first four meetings as #1 and #2. Each team won as the #1 seed and as the #2 seed.

Lexington starter O’Brien pitched 2.1 innings in his first playoff appearance. He gave up five hits, and three runs, walked three, and struck out two. Wanat pitched 4.1 innings in relief giving up seven hits, one run, and striking out four.

Anderson Jimenez had two hits for Lexington.

Dzuiba led all batters with three hits. Reid had two hits and two runs for the Chiefs. Schroeder also had two hits and Pellot drove in two for the Chiefs.

 

By Bruce Hack, Lexington Team Historian

Lexington Blue Sox

Lexington advances to Finals with 14-4 Win

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Lexington – Lexington put on its hitting shoes and knocked out 19 hits on its way to a 14-4 win over Middlesex Sunday night. The win propelled the Blue Sox into the championship round.

The Blue Sox will face a familiar opponent in the finals.  The Andre Chiefs await them for game one on Tuesday night at Morelli Field in Melrose. Game time is set for 8:00 pm.

Middlesex scored first in the bottom of the first. Leon Paulino tripled into the rightfield corner driving in Idelson Taveras and Eduardo Soto. Paulino scored on a sacrifice fly by John Batista and it was 3-0 Expos.

As they had done on Friday night the Blue Sox quickly responded with a big, crooked number in the top of the second. Two quick hits (both on the first pitch) and a sacrifice put Sox runners on second and third. Dylan Walsh scored the first two runs of the inning with a single. After the second out Max Dushney singled to score Walsh and tie the game at 3-3. Jake McElroy singled, Anderson Jimenez doubled to drive in 2 more and scored on an RBI single by Julian Alvarez to make it 6-3.

McElroy paced the attack from the leadoff spot. He had four hits, including two doubles, and scored four runs and an RBI. Jimenez finished the night with three RBI on two hits and scored twice. Jeff Costello banged out two hits, 2 runs, and an RBI. Josue Feliciano had two hits, a run, and two RBI. Charlie Walsh had 2 hits and drove in a run. Dushey scored and walked twice.

Cole Donato picked up the win in relief of Lexington starter Luke Descheneaux. Donato pitched two shutout innings, giving up two hits with two strikeouts.

Middlesex started Dan Shaw who was facing Lexington for the third time in 10 days. He pitched against them on August 1 in the makeup game and lost 3-2 pitching seven innings at Minuteman Tech. On August 6 he started the first game of the semifinals at East Boston. Shaw pitched 7.2 innings and lost 1-0 in the eighth. Last night he lasted three innings, giving up 10 hits and seven runs. He also faced the Sox on June 3 at Lexington and pitched six scoreless innings in the 0-0 nine-inning tie game.

McElroy placed his name in the Lexington Record Book (since 2006) as he tied the team record with his two doubles. His four hits, and four runs, both tied for second most in a playoff game.

As a team, the Blue Sox made new entries into their record book. The six doubles are tied for the most in a playoff game, while the 19 hits are tied for third most and the 14 runs are tied for fourth most.

Though the series had three games in Lexington, at Minuteman Technical Vocational High School, the Blue Sox never played a game on their home field at Lexington High School. Game one was played in East Boston and the last three games were played at Minuteman Tech. Now the play shifts to Morelli Field and the Blue Sox will go through the entire playoffs without playing at home.

This will be the eighth time the Chiefs and Blue Sox have met in the finals and the first since 2016. That season ended a six-year run of Lexington and the Chiefs playing in the finals.

By Bruce Hack, Lexington Team Historian

Lexington Blue Sox

Lexington takes a 2-1 series lead with a 10-5 win

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Lexington – After the first two games ended in 1-0 scores Lexington and Middlesex finally got their offenses on track and produced 15 runs in the third game. Both teams put up big innings, but Lexington had the biggest on its way to a 10-5 come-from-behind win Friday night at Minuteman Technical High School in Lexington.

The Blue Sox took advantage of 13 walks handed out by Middlesex pitchers and used timely hitting to move within one win of returning to the championship series.

With Lexington up 1-0 after 1 inning, the Expos put up the biggest inning of the series (at least temporarily) scoring four runs in the top of the second. The Expos hit three straight two-out singles, the last by Michael Oliveira knotting the game at 1-1. Two pitches later Josh Bohn took a Lexington starter Chris Wanat pitch over the leftfield fence for a three-run home run and a 4-1 Middlesex lead.

Lexington tied the game in the bottom of the third. Middlesex starter Ryan Cloutier walked the bases loaded on 13 pitches to begin the third. Julian Alvarez laced a pitch down the leftfield line for a bases-clearing double and it was 4-4.

In the fourth, the Blue Sox took the lead without the benefit of a hit. Charlie Walsh walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Max Dushney bunted and Cloutier’s attempt to get Walsh at third went into foul territory allowing Walsh to come home for the 5-4 lead.

Middlesex responded in the top of the fifth. The Expos received two walks from Blue Sox reliever Jake Zawatsky to start the frame. After a failed bunt attempt resulted in the first out, Ryan Petrone singled through the left side scoring Oliveira to make it 5-5.

Hamlet Peralta, who had relieved Cloutier in the fourth, walked the bases loaded to start the fifth. Josue Feliciano bounced a single past the drawn-in infield to drive in 2 runs for a 7-5 lead. Charlie Walsh doubled to center to drive in two more runs and for a four-run lead. Walsh came around to score the 10th and final Blue Sox run on two wild pitches by Peralta.

Yemer Pineda entered the game with two on and one out in the fifth. He retired the first batter he faced on a comebacker and then struck out John Batista looking to end the threat. He earned his first postseason win for Lexington.

Peralta took the loss for Middlesex pitching 1.1 innings in relief. He gave up two hits, and five runs, walked five, and struck out two.

Lexington’s 13 walks are a team record for a playoff game since 2006. Despite getting only three hits, the Blue Sox were timely with them, driving in seven runs. Of the 13 walks, eight of them scored.

The teams are back in action Sunday evening with a 6:45 pm start time. The game will again be played on the turf field at Minuteman Tech.

 

By Bruce Hack, Lexington Team Historian