Dave Ahern, #41, has made it home
IN MEMORY OF DAVE AHERN
November 2, 1987-September 4, 2016
Intercity League champion Lexington Blue Sox pray for stricken teammate
The following story appeared in the Boston Globe on August 28.
By Marvin Pave GLOBE CORRESPONDENT AUGUST 28, 2016
The Lexington Blue Sox captured their second straight Intercity League baseball title on Tuesday night with a 5-4 victory over Andre Chiefs at Morelli Field in Melrose.
But their celebration was subdued, their thoughts quickly turning to prayers for their stricken teammate, Dave Ahern.
A 28-year-old outfielder/pitcher who starred at Bedford High and then Babson College, Ahern has been treated at Tufts Medical Center since going into cardiac arrest last Thursday.
According to his family and Blue Sox manager Rick DeAngelis, Ahern had not regained consciousness since last week. He had suited up for the Blue Sox in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Intercity League playoffs.
His No. 41 uniform was displayed in the Blue Sox dugout and also delivered to his hospital room where family, friends and teammates – past and present — have congregated.
Blue Sox players also wore navy blue AHERN 41 t-shirts under their game uniforms and ‘DA’ decals on their helmets and caps as they swept the three-game series against the Chiefs.
Dave Ahern hitting for the Blue Sox (courtesy Lexington Blue Sox).
“Dave started playing for us in 2012 and right away became a major contributor, a team leader and a mentor to our younger players,’’ said DeAngelis.
“We rallied around Dave Ahern and his family this past week because he is a special young man and a tremendous human being.’’
A post on the team’s Facebook page said: “Dave, we took pressure off the game and put things in perspective. We all love you, we’re praying for you to make a full recovery . . . your contributions to our championship are immeasurable.’’
Another Facebook posting, by Ahern’s sister, Rachael, said, in part, “your prayers are appreciated. We are all holding David close to our hearts.’’
Last Thursday, before he was stricken at his home, Ahern went to the Granite Links Golf Club to sharpen up for a tournament the following day benefitting the Babson baseball program. He works fulltime as a sales manager.
As a Babson senior, he hit .438 while compiling a 5-2 record on the mound with a 1.19 earned run aveage. He broke or tied nine of the program’s game, season or career records. He was Babson’s Male Athlete of the Year for the senior class.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever had at Babson,’’ said Matt Noone, who has coached at the Wellesley school for 15 seasons.
“Dave has a larger than life personality and he was the guy our team looked to for strength. He was our rock. We’re all hoping and praying that Dave’s strength leads to his recovery.’’
To help defray Ahern’s medical bills, student loans, and rent, his friends have set up GoFundMe page, www.gofundme.com/DaveNeedsUs.
Marvin Pave can be reached at marvin.pave@rcn.com
This One’s for Dave
Lexington wins 12th ICL Championship By Bruce Hack Lexington Blue Sox Media Relations Director Melrose – Determined to win for their stricken Blue Sox brother and teammate, Dave Ahern, Lexington held on for a hard-fought 5-4 win and a sweep of the Andre Chiefs for its 12th Intercity League Championship in 22 seasons. For the third straight game, and fifth consecutive playoff game against Andre, the Sox scored in the first inning. After a leadoff out, Taylor Ferguson (Holden/Rollins) singled and Dan Graham (Lowell/Central Connecticut) walked on four straight pitches to put Blue Sox on first and second. Julian Alvarez (Boston/Lee) followed with a double to the gap in left center and it was 2-0 Lexington as Graham beat the throw to the plate. The Chiefs did not wait long to strike back. In the bottom of the first, Tony Deshler (Pepperell/Brandeis) reached on an infield single into the hole at short. After a Billy Mottram (Haverhill/Dowling) fly out to left, Pete Copa (Malden/UMass-Amherst), was hit by the first pitch from Sox starter, Matt Karis (Southborough/Gettysburg). Chief’s catcher, Jordan Pallazola (Rockport/Framingham State) singled into left and Deshler scored cutting the lead to 2-1. Lexington scored three more in the third for all the runs it would need. With one out, Chiefs starter Jared Freni (Malden/UMass-Amherst) walked Ferguson and Graham for his second and third walks of the game. It was the fourth walk to Graham by Freni in the last five plate appearances between the two veterans. Alvarez doubled down the right field line and Ferguson scored for a 3-1 lead. Then with two outs, Dorian Rojas (Boston/Cumberland) singled up the middle to drive in Graham and Alvarez and it was 5-1 Blue Sox. Karis had gotten on a roll and retired eight straight Chiefs from the second through fourth innings before Mike Barbati (Melrose/Endicott) doubled to left to begin the bottom of the fifth. Barbati moved to third when Tony Serino reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on an infield single by Deshler, his second infield hit of the game. The Chiefs were not finished as Copa walked to start the sixth and Lexington manager Rick DeAngelis came out to talk to his ace. After a brief discussion Karis left the game to a loud round of applause and in came side-armer Rob DiFranco (Melrose/Bates). On a 0-1 pitch, Pallazola took DiFranco deep over the center field fence at the 385-foot sign and suddenly the Blue Sox lead was down to one at 5-4. DiFranco regrouped and got designated hitter Mike Andre (Medford/Merrimack) on a foul pop up to third and then retired Barbati and pinch-hitter Ryan Sonberg (Windsor, CT/Bates) on ground balls to short that ended any further scoring opportunities for the Chiefs. For Lexington’s veteran hurler, Karis, it was his second win of the postseason and the eighth straight year he has had two wins in the postseason. He pitched five innings, scattering five hits, allowing three runs, walked two, and struck out four. It was a different story for Freni the Chiefs ace, who had been a nemesis for Lexington over the past six seasons. Maybe it was the date or the memories of what happened exactly a year ago, but Freni had the shortest start of his career against Lexington in the playoffs. In four innings he gave up four hits, five runs, all earned, and uncharacteristically walked five Sox batters. After Alvarez’ double in the first, Freni set down six straight Lexington hitters, before Ferguson started the third inning rally with a walk. This championship featured the awarding of the Les DeMarco Intercity League Championship Trophy for the first time. The trophy lists all the ICL champions since 1960. For both teams it was the culmination of a long summer of baseball. The Chiefs had swept Lexington in all four regular season games, for the first time since 2006. The Chiefs finished 20-7-1 in the regular season for 41 points and in first place for the third time in the last four summers. The Blue Sox found themselves finishing in third place at 19-8-1 for 39 points, which had them not receiving a first-round bye and playing an extra round of playoff games for the first time in over a decade. That did not deter the Sox as they defeated Somerville 2-0, then Watertown 3-1 in the semis before sweeping the Chiefs 3-0 in the finals. For the third straight season, the league champion was crowned at Morelli Field in Melrose and the games were well attended by ICL fans that were treated to outstanding baseball. Now for final time the lights have been turned off at Morelli and the boys of summer will be heading back to college or work and only have memories of the 2016 season. All of the league teams say thank to the fans for coming out and cheering on the players and supporting the teams and look forward to the 2017 season. – 30 –
Blue Sox Take ICL Title with 5-4 Win
The Lexington Blue Sox took the ICL Title with a 5-4 win over the Andre Chiefs in game three on Tuesday night at Morelli Field.
More from Bruce Hack is coming soon!!!!!
Blue Sox Take 2-0 Series Lead
Drew Leenhouts tossed a complete game four-hitter to lead the Lexington Blue Sox to a 5-0 shutout win over the Andre Chiefs in Game Two of the ICL Finals.
Game Three is Tuesday night at Morelli Field in Melrose on Tuesday at 8:00 PM.
Game story will be posted soon by Bruce Hack.
FRENI PITCHES CHIEFS TO ICL FINALS, SERIES VS BLUE SOX BEGINS ON SUNDAY
For the sixth straight season, and for the seventh time in the last eight years, the Lexington Blue Sox and the Andre Chiefs will meet to decide the Intercity League Championship.
Jared Freni punched the Chiefs’ ticket to the dance with a lights out eleven K, six-hitter, when the he blanked the gutsy and game Reading Bulldogs 3-0 in the deciding game of their best of five series at Maplewood Park in Malden on Thursday night.
Peter Copa was the offensive standout of the night with a first inning RBI single and a third inning solo homer. Steve Gambale drove in the final Chiefs run with a two out single in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Bulldogs’ starter Jack Burke allowed only four hits, and struck out four, in four innings, before giving way to veteran Steve Hueston in the fifth inning.
The best of five Championship Series will get underway on Sunday at Morelli Field at 8:00 PM. All games will be played at the Melrose venue, with Games Two and Three planned for Monday and Tuesday, and if necessary, Games Four on Wednesday, and Game Five to be determined.
All games in the series will begin at 8:00 PM.
Blue Sox Eliminate Reds with 8-4 Win, Bulldogs Even Series with Chiefs
The Lexington Blue Sox scored eight times in the bottom of the first inning on the way to a series clinching 8-4 win over the Watertown Reds in Lexington on Wednesday night. After dropping the series opener, the Blue Sox won three straight to take the series 3-1 and advance to the ICL’s Championship Series that will begin on Sunday at Morelli Field.
Dan Graham, Jeff Vigurs, Josh Hassell, and Ross Curley, all had two RBI’s in the first inning.
Aidan Freeburg chalked up the win with help from Tony Annino in the sixth and Jimmy Hill in the seventh.
Kyle LaVigne had three hits and drove home two of the Watertown runs.
At Morelli Field, the Reading Bulldogs got six innings of four hit pitching from lefty Tim Woods, then scored five times in the bottom of the sixth, to break a 1-1 tie, and beat the Andre Chiefs 6-1.
Mike DeDonato and Chris Bosco each had two hits and an RBI to lead the Bulldogs at the plate. E.J. Martinez also drove in a run for the Bulldogs.
Tim Dunphy allowed only two earned runs and struck out six for the Chiefs.
Peter Copa drove in the lone Chiefs run with a third inning single.
Game Five of the Bulldogs-Chiefs series will be played at Maplewood Park/Malden Catholic on Thursday night at 8:00 PM.
Blue Sox Edge Reds & Bulldogs Beat Chiefs to Put Both Series at 2-1
Blue Sox 3, Reds 2
Matt Karis pitched five strong innings to record the win when the Lexington Blue Sox edged the Watertown Reds 3-2 at Victory Field on Tuesday night. With the win, Lexington takes a 2-1 lead in the series.
Dan Graham and Jeff Vigurs both had RBI singles and Dave Ahern scored the game winning run on a wild pitch.
Borja Jones-Berasaluce worked a scoreless sixth and Jeff Blount blanked the Reds in the seventh to get the save.
Dan Chaisson, with a solo homer, and Kyle LaVigne, drove in the Reds’ runs.
Jonathan Bishop went all seven innings for Watertown and struck out five.
Bulldogs 5, Chiefs 2
The Reading Bulldogs used some sparkling defense, and got six solid innings from Wayne Lundgren, to beat the Andre Chiefs in Game Three, 5-2. The Chiefs lead the series 2-1.
Steve Busby had a 3 for 3 evening, and along with Darren Hartwell, turned in several outstanding plays in the outfield. Kyle Devin, Chris Bosco, Johnny Hayes, Mike Taylor, and Busby, all drove in a run for Reading.
Juan Portes provided all the scoring for the Chiefs with a two run homer in the bottom of third inning.
Sam Kasten went the distance for the Chiefs and struck out nine batters.
It’s on to Game Four for both series on Wednesday night.
The Chiefs and Bulldogs meet at Morelli Field in Melrose and the Reds and Blue Sox get together at Lexington High with both games starting at 8;00 PM.
Karis
Dan Cha
Chiefs Rally to Take 2-0 Series Lead, Blue Sox-Reds Even at 1-1
Tony Deshler and Juan Portes hit back to back homers in the top of the eighth inning when the Chiefs rallied back from a 2-1 seventh inning deficit to go on and beat the Bulldogs 5-2 at Morelli Field.
Mitchell Clegg went the distance to get the win.
Kyle Devin gave Reading their 2-1 lead with a solo homer in the fourth.
Cody Hall pitched well for the Bulldogs. The Chiefs lead the series 2-0.
In Lexington, Drew Leenhouts tossed a four-hit shutout to lead the Blue Sox to a 4-0 win over the Reds and even their series at 1-1.
Dan Graham had two RBI’s for Lexington and Jeff Vigurs added two hits.
Aric Dama took the loss.
Semi-final action continues on Tuesday with game three of each series scheduled. The Bulldogs and Chiefs will play at Maplewood (8:00 PM) while the Reds and Blue Sox meet in Watertown at 7:45 PM.
Chiefs & Reds Go Up 1-0 in Semi-Finals, Games at Morelli & Lexington Tonight at 8
UPDATED 11:53 AM– PLEASE NOTE THAT DESPITE A REPORTING ERROR IN TODAY’S BOSTON HERALD, TONIGHT’S GAME TWO BETWEEN THE READING BULLDOGS & ANDRE CHIEFS WILL BE PLAYED AT MORELLI FIELD IN MELROSE STARTING AT 8:00 PM. GAME TWO OF THE LEXINGTON BLUE SOX & WATERTOWN REDS WILL BE PLAYED TONIGHT AT LEXINGTON HIGH AT 8:00 PM.
The Andre Chiefs and Watertown Reds both took opening game wins in their respective best of five semi-final series on Sunday night.
The Chiefs got a 10 strikeout performance from Jared Freni, in his return to the rotation, to lead them to a 3-1 win over the Reading Bulldogs at Maplewood. Freni went five innings plus to get the victory and Tim Dunphy (6th inning) and Anthony Sullivan (7th inning, save), supplied the relief as Chiefs’ pitching struck out a dozen.
Juan Portes, with a first inning double, and Mike Andre, who had a fourth inning single, had the RBI’s for the Chiefs.
Jack Burke worked the first five innings for the Bulldogs before giving way to Colby Morris.
E.J. Martinez drove in the Reading run with an RBI single in the sixth inning.
In Watertown, Bill Sullivan went the distance and allowed just four hits when the Reds beat the Lexington Blue Sox at Victory Field, 4-1.
Mike Samko, who had two hits in the game, drove in the game winner with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth. In an oddity, three of the five runs scored in the game did so on wild pitches.
Sullivan, struck out six and didn’t issue a walk. He threw 110 pitches in his route going outing.
Ryan Filipowoicz, (4.0 innings, 2 earned runs, 4 hits, 5 K’s) and Jeff Blount (2.0 innings, 2 runs, 0 earned, 3 hits, 4 K’s ) worked for the Blue Sox.
Dave Ahern (double, single) had two of Lexington’s hits.
ICL semi-final action continues on Monday with the second game of both series on tap. The Chiefs and Bulldogs meet at Morelli Field in Melrose and the Reds and Blue Sox tangle at Lexington High.
Both games will start at 8:00 PM.