By Bruce Hack Lexington Media Relations Director Melrose – Lexington grinded out a 5-2 win over Alibrandis Monday night at Morelli Field to take a 1-0 lead in the best of five finals. Game two of the finals is Tuesday night at Morelli Field in Melrose. Game time is scheduled for 7:45. The Blue Sox knocked out 14 hits, 13 of them singles. The Sox had a hit in every inning, including two four-hit innings. Despite all that offense it was Alibrandis who struck first. In the top of the first, with two outs Teddy Dziuba homered to right, his first of the playoffs, to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Lexington wasted no time and came right back in the bottom half of the first. Aaron Barbosa, Kyle Adie and Ross Curley hit three straight singles, with Curley driving in Barbosa to knot the game at 1-1. After a strikeout, Richie Burgos knocked out the fourth single of the frame to load the bases. Ryan Beradino grounded out to second driving in Adie and Lexington took the lead for good at 2-1. Dom Zaher had a leadoff double to start the second inning. John Puttress dropped down a sacrifice bunt and Matt Horan came off the mound to field it, his throw to first was high and sailed into foul territory allowing Zaher to come home and give the Sox a 3-1 lead after two. A Juan Parra solo home run, also his first, to left in the third cut the lead to 3-2, but Alibrandis would not cross home plate again. Lexington added on two insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. In the sixth Zaher singled to drive in Beradino. In the sixth it was Burgos who singled to drive in Adie with his second run of the game. Mike Geannelis pitched five innings to improve to 2-0 in postseason play. He scattered four hits, walked three and struck out five. Zaher and Burgos each had a three hit night. They also each drove in a run and Zaher scored once. Matt Horan, 1-1, pitched a complete game for the Alibrandis. He gave up 14 hits, five runs, four earned, struck out eight, and walked two. .

The 2019 Intercity League Championship Series between #2 Alibrandis and the #1 Lexington Blue Sox begins Monday night at Morelli Field in Melrose. All games in the best of five series will be broadcast live by Sam Feeley. To listen to the broadcast go to www.localsportsproductions.com/live/ All games in the series will begin at 7:45 PM. There will be no game on Thursday as the ICL continues its support of Steve Buckley’s Old Time Baseball Game which will be played at St. Peter’s Field in Cambridge at 7:00 PM. Here is the schedule for the ICL Championship Series: Game 1- Monday 7:45 PM Game 2- Tuesday 7:45 PM Game 3- Wednesday 7:45 PM Game 4- Friday 7:45 PM (if nec) Game 5- Sunday 7:45 PM (if nec)