By Mark Senna
There are just two weeks remaining in our COVID shortened season which puts the start of the playoffs right on our doorstep. As a reminder, the first place team in each division will receive a first round bye. As of this writing, that’s the Simpson Club (5-1-1) from the Lucas division, Roza Lyons (6-1) from the Feeney division, and the Southside Tavern (4-2-1) from the Moran division.
None of the teams mentioned above are locked into first as they each have two games to play. With many of us stuck in our houses, one thing has become very popular in the league this season and that’s the use of FaceBook Live. Several games have been broadcast through our page – “M Street Softball League.” You can join in on the fun – “Like” our page to receive alerts about upcoming live events. The camera is placed behind the backstop, which creates a great view of the action. It also picks up the audio heard on the field and around the ballpark making you feel right at home. Check it out!
On Monday, we started the week off with one of the highest scoring games in recent memory. Lincoln Tavern and the Pirates combined to score forty-eight runs in just six innings. Yes, the game was shortened by an inning due to time constraints but that didn’t seem to matter to those swinging the bats. Both teams scored runs in every single inning and there six lead changes in this slugfest. It basically came down to whichever team was battling last was going to win the game and in this case it was Lincoln, 25-23.
Looking back to the final inning, the Pirates trailed 19-15 and were in need of a game saving rally. Bryan Erwin got them going when he unloaded for a two-run home run that put them within two, 19-17. They added six more runs for good measure and headed to the last half of the inning ahead, 23-19. The lead didn’t last long as Lincoln quickly responded by loading the bases with one out. A two-run double by Will Brennan tied the game and one batter later it was all over. Chris Boyd delivered the game winner with a two run homerun to deep left.
The high scoring affair from the first game carried right on through to the Southside Tavern versus Broadway Bombers contest. In the top of the first, Southside batted around the order and scored nine runs, 9-0. The Bombers answered responded and after two innings it was 11-8 Southside. From that point on, Southside cruised as pitcher Johnny Brooks settled down and kept the Bomber attack in check, 18-10. Jack Hockington (4 hits) and Nick Manning (4 hits) provided the big hits for Southside while Dan McKenna (3 hits) and Chris Joyce (3 hits) paced the Bomber attack.
Monday closed with the Simpson Club looking to revenge an earlier season loss to the Telegraph Hill. Things didn’t start the way they had hoped as the Hill jumped out to a 2-0 lead heading into the top of the third inning. Brian Goodman and newcomer Miguel Dupree each hit RBI singles to even the score, 2-2. With a boisterous home crowd behind them, Simpson would strike again in the top of the fourth when Pat Dolbeare and Mike Bulman each scored on Mike Garland’s double, 4-2. Now with the lead, Dupree got stingy and kept the Hill off the bases as he struck out eight batters over the course of the game. The two clubs would trade runs in the later frames but that would be it, Simpson and Dupree prevail 5-3.
On Tuesday, Dan Gambill hit a two-run double to break a 12-12 tie and lead Roza Lyons to a 15-12 victory. Pitcher Kyle Szatrowski picked up his league leading sixth win of the season while Dan Mantoni was the hitting force, collecting two hits and five RBI. Austin Miller (2 hits and 4 RBI) was the hitting star for the Playwright.
The middle game saw the VMT squad take on the rising Dorchester Brew Crew. However, VMT would be too much to handle in this one as they scored a run in every inning but the fourth. Josh Press and Dan Oconnell each connected for three hits while pitcher Dave Wasylak gutted out his fourth win of the season. Wasylak was backed by some impressive defense that included a game ending rare double play (U3-2).
Wednesday’s early action turned into the Jack Sheehy show as the tall righty swatted three homeruns and knocked in five runs for Betty’s/Publico. Sheehy brought a nice contingent of fans to the game and they didn’t go home disappointed. Betty’s scored in every inning as they held off the Dukies, 14-9. Chris Peris and Steve Dazzo chipped in with three hits apiece.
The middle game featured a rematch of the Los Bravos and STATS. Bravos took the first game 5-4 and were looking for a win to hold onto third place in the Lucas division. After three scoreless innings, STATS struck first in the top of the fourth when Tad Gold ripped a two-run double to center. STATS would score two more runs in the inning to go up 4-0. Gold struck again the very next inning with his second two-run double which put STATS in control, 7-0. With the game slipping away, the Bravos fought back in the bottom of the inning when they loaded the bases and scored four runs, 7-4. However, that would be as close as they would get as STATS kept them in check and won, 9-4. Kevin Miller (3 hits, 3 runs) and Tim Higgins (3 hits) led the attack for STATS while Rey Melo (2 hits) led the Bravos.
Thursday’s middle game featured a match up of two teams that were destined to meet in the “B” finals last season, Roza Lyons and Telegraph Hill. Telegraph made it through their bracket and eventually won the championship. However, the Dukies knocked out the previously undefeated Roza squad so the dream match never happened, until now. The game lived up to its billing as both clubs played solid defense and got timely hits. Neither team could take a commanding lead as the game moved into the top of the seventh with Telegraph holding onto a 9-7 lead. Roza loaded the bases and scored two runs before Josh Lopez (3 hits, 4 RBI) hit a two-run single to put them ahead, 11-9. Pitcher Kyle Szatrowski gave up two hits in the seventh but then walked a fine line to victory. Dan Mantoni (3 hits, 5 RBI) and Dan Gambill (3 hits, 3 runs) led Roza’s attack while Scott Howard (3 hits), Matt Doyle (3 hits), and Luke Serra (2 hits, 4 RBI) paced Telegraph.
Thursday came to a close with the Kekambas looking to snap a three game losing streak. However, their opponent on this night was on a streak of their own, as STATS had won their last three games. With STATS ahead 3-0 in the fourth, the Kekambas bats came to life as David Kurey (2 HR, 3 RBI) and Will Sleeper hit back to back homeruns to tie the game, 3-3. In that pivotal fourth inning, STATS through it into high gear and batted around the order while scoring seven runs. Tim Higgins (3 hits, 3 runs) and Tad Gold (2 hits, 3 RBI) were the hitting stars for STATS while the author of this article picked up his second win on the mound.
Friday’s winners were the Dorchester Brew Crew, Fat Baby, and Banshee.
That will wrap up another very busy week of softball at this address. Remember, “Like” our page on FaceBook. M Street Softball games are played Monday through Friday starting at 6pm, 7:30, and 9pm. Have a great week everyone!
