Jared MacDonald and Otto McLauglin had two RBI’s apiece to lead the Malden Maddogs to a 6-2 win over the Melrose Americans at Maplewood.
Zak Whitney (1-1) allowed just two hits in five innings to get the win. Matt Decarney worked a scoreless sixth while Brock Haynes chalked up his second save in the seventh.
Aidan Barry had a two RBI triple for Melrose.
All other of Tuesday’s ICL games were postponed rain.
The Andre Chiefs got three RBI’ s each from veteran shortstop Nate Witkowski and Michael Soares on the way to a 14-2 win over the Malden Maddogs at Maplewood. Yariel Salinas (2-4, homer) and Byron Woodman each drove in two runs for the Chiefs. WPI southpaw Dominic Monico (1-0) struck and six and allowed just two hits in five innings to pick up his first ICL win……….The Lexington Blue Sox got a four inning, one hit outing from Matt Draper (1-1) to lead them to a 4-0 win over the Middlesex Expos at Ferullo Field in Woburn. Julian Alvarez drove in three of Lexington’s runs with a first inning double and a third inning sacrifice fly. Josh Becker, with two scoreless innings, and Luke Marshall, who worked the seventh, kept the shutout intact for the Sox. Lexington pitching combined to strikeout a dozen Expos batters…… On Tuesday the Stoneham Sabers host the Maddogs at Maplewood starting at 8:00 PM…….
(Malden, MA)- Veteran righty Paul Frisoli tossed a complete game six-hitter to lead the Andre Chiefs to a 7-2 win over the Melrose Americans on Wednesday night at Maplewood.
The win gives the Chiefs a 2-0 series lead. Game three of the best of five semi-final set will be played tonight (Thursday) back at Maplewood starting at 8:00 PM.
The Chiefs jumped out to a 1-0 lead off Melrose starter Nick Colucci in the top of the second inning when Mitchell Schroeder drilled a solo homer.
The Chiefs sent a dozen men to the plate and opened the lead to 7-0 in the top of the fourth. The six run inning was keyed by Ruben Rodriguez, Jr (single), Joe Bova (RBI, double), Nick Valdario (RBI, sacrifice fly), Tyler Feedinand (single), and Miles Reid (RBI, single).
Shawn Nestor picked up an RBI for the Americans, when he drove home Owen Duggan (single), with a sixth inning sacrifice fly that cut the Chiefs’ lead to 7-2.
Miles Reid led the Chiefs’ eight hit offense with two hits and Teddy Dziuba added a first inning double.
Frisoli struck out eight and walked just one.
Colucci went 4.2 innings and took the loss. Ben Cassavoy (1.1 inn) and Bailey Taylor-Black (1 inn) also worked for the Americans.
Melrose – The Middlesex Expos scored four runs in the first inning and then blanked Lexington for the first six innings to win the team’s first Intercity League Championship.
2022 Expos Champions
Leon Paulino closed out the first inning scoring with a 2-run home run to right. The ball actually didn’t clear the fence on the fly but landed in Blue Sox right fielder Julian Alvarez’ glove only to pop out when Alvarez’ momentum carried him into the fence and jarred the ball lose and over the fence. The home was Paulinos first of the playoffs and the Expos ninth.
Ryan Cloutier singled and drove in Mike Golankiewicz with the second run and then scored on Paulinos’ home run.
Pitching was the Expos strength, and it was on display throughout the playoffs and especially in the finals. Middlesex came into game four with a 1.67 ERA during the playoffs and a 1.00 ERA vs. Lexington in the finals.
Junior Montero was the starting pitcher for Middlesex and came through with five shutout innings pitched. He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out 6, including 4 straight in the first and second innings.
Montero set down the first six Blue Sox batters before Matt Chatelle singled into right to lead off the third and break up the no hitter.
Chatelle, an incoming first year at Merrimack this fall, drove in the only Sox run in the seventh. Alex Voitik singled to begin the seventh. Eli Perez went into run for Voitik. Andrew Selima dropped in a single in left and both runners moved up an extra base on a throwing error by Middlesex shortstop Jose Paulino. Chatelle grounded out to third with Perez coming home with the lone Lexington run.
This is the second year in the Intercity League for Middlesex, who came over from the Yawkey League. The Expos have finished second in the regular season in both years. In 2021 the Expos lost to Lexington in the finals in three games.
When asked what was different about the Expos from 2021 to 2022, general manager (and 2021 manager) Branden Anderson said, “The players bought into what we were doing.” “We saw what it took to win last season (after losing to Lexington in the finals) and learned from that.”
“We stayed healthy all season,” said manager Paul Grande. “Our core group of players were back, and everyone stayed healthy.”
For the Blue Sox it was the first time losing in the finals since 2014 when the Andre Chiefs defeated them in five games. The loss snapped a six-year reign as Intercity League champions.
Blue Sox manager Rick DeAngelis said, “We offer our congratulations to Middlesex management and players.”
Both teams would like to thank their fans for all their support this season. As the 2022 has come to a close, the Intercity League thanks the fans, friends and families for all their support this season and look forward to 2023.
Written by Bruce Hack, Lexington Media Relations Director
Chris Mitchell went 4.2 innings to get his league best fifth win when the Melrose Americans beat the Malden Maddogs 6-2 at Morelli Field. Aidan Barry led the Americans with two hits and two RBI’s while Gianni Zarrilli chipped in with a couple of hits and an RBI. Mitchell, now 5-1, struck out four and allowed just three hits. Jack McLaughlin (1-3) took the loss.
In Wednesday’s other game the Middlesex Expos knocked off the Reading Bulldogs 9-6.
The Expos host the Lexington Blue Sox at Brandeis University in tonight’s only game starting at 8:15 PM.