Andre Chiefs Fall in Playoff Opener

The Intercity Leagues first round playoff series between the Andre Chiefs and Watertown Reds is a little bit about old against new.

The Chiefs have been a member of the league since 1967, under three separate names, but all in the city of Medford.

Watertown on the other hand, was founded 13 years ago in 1998, but have managed to make a quick reputation for itself with five playoff appearances in the first ten years of existence, including a trip to the ICL finals last year.

Despite being the lower seed, (No. 6, 15-16-1 overall) Watertown entered the first game in the best-of-three series confident it could hang with Andre (No. 3 seed, 18-13-1 overall), having beaten them 4-2 back on July 26 4-2 at Bentley University.

That confidence, along with a stellar effort on the mound from Karl Alexander (complete game, six hits, seven strikeouts) helped give the Reds a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night and a 1-0 series lead.

Mike DiCato suffered the loss for the Chiefs, having a rough night, hitting three batters, walking two and giving up the four runs on seven hits.

DiCato actually dodged a bullet in the first inning when Watertown loaded the bases with just one out but couldn't push a run across.

The Chiefs couldn't muster munch consistent offense in the game, but managed to load the bases in the bottom of the second and push their only run across when Nick Leva drew a walk to make it 1-0.

After a few more missed opportunities the Reds finally broke through in the top of the fourth inning with three runs.

Mike Giordano led off with a single up the middle and was pinch ran for by Colby Matthenson. After stealing second, Matthenson moved to third when Sean Callahan Montague reached on an error. Brendan Casey was then hit by a pitch.  

Chris Burke ripped a ball to short, and despite getting the force at second while ignoring the runner coming home, a wild throw on the turn at second allowed another run to score quickly making it 2-0. Burke then moved to second on a passed ball and scored when he beat the throw home on a sacrifice fly from Luke Begley.

Now pitching with the lead, Alexander found his groove, giving up just two hits the rest of the way while getting some excellent defense behind him.

The last real chance the Chiefs would muster came on a lead off bloop single down the right field line off the bat of Leva in the bottom of the fifth, but Alexander quickly erased the next two hitters.

In the bottom half of the seventh, Jeff Bercume ripped a two-out single trying to keep Andre alive, but Alexander buckled down and recorded his seventh strikeout to end the game and give Watertown the series lead.

Thursday the league will put the playoffs on pause for Steve Buckley's annual "Old Time Baseball Game" in Cambridge, and will resume both ongoing series' on Friday.

The other first round match-up taking place has the Reading Bulldogs (No. 5 seed) leading the Testa Corp Bombers (No. 4 seed) 1-0.  

The first and second seeded Lexington Blue Sox and Wakefield Merchants each have first round byes.

The Reds will look to close out their series when the scene shifts to their home park at Bentley University Friday night. First pitch is set for 5:30.