Weekly Sports Roundup, August 1-8

The first week of August was not especially busy as far as sports are concerned, but there was still some action on the baseball diamond, as Medford’s Yawkey League and Intercity League franchises soldiered on through the heat. With both league’s regular seasons winding down, the action is heating up between the lines as teams jockey for postseason position.

Intercity Baseball League

Andre Chiefs

The Chiefs (18-12-1) are hoping to supplant the Wakefield Merchants for second place when the two teams face each other in the regular-season finale on August 7, as there is currently just one point separating the two teams in the standings. 

The Chiefs played three times last week, and blew a great chance to take over second place before the last game of the year by only managing one win, while Wakefield struggled as well.

Facing the Reading Bulldogs on August 1, the Chiefs pulled down a 6-3 victory behind yet another outstanding outing from ace moundsman Jared Freni (7-1). Freni struck out four over seven innings, and the Chiefs’ bats did the rest. Justin Crisafulli, the ICL’s leading batsman, led the attack with 2 RBIs, a home run and a double, while Jeff Bercume, Vinny Pennell, Mike Andre and Nick Leva all added RBIs. The Bulldogs would  be avenged on August 3, as they nipped the Chiefs, 3-2, at Reading High. Tony Deshler and Mike Baillargeon posted RBIs in the losing effort, while starter Rob Machado (2-5) fanned eight, but still wound up on the wrong end of the decision. The following day, the Chiefs would lose another tough one-run game, as they fell 4-3 against the table-topping Lexington Blue Sox on August 4. Bercume knocked in two runs and collected a double, while Crisafulli and Andre both doubled as well.

Medford Americans

The Americans (9-21-1) played three games this week, and managed to put one into the win column. Medford defeated the Wakefield Merchants 13-7 on August 1, as an offensive explosion sealed the fate of the Merchants. Mike Kalfopoulos hit a grand slam homer, driving in four, while Joe Sheehan knocked home three runs and Mike Burgoyne plated two. Joe Nixon, Danny Gilchrist, Steve Albano and Dan Gunn also collected RBIs. Starting pitcher Ryan McNiff (1-4) picked up the win for Medford. On August 4, the Americans were shutout, 9-0, by Reading, as Ben O’Shea and Dan Eisenberg combined to blank the Medford batsmen. Finally, on August 5, the Mooney Dental Tanners and the Americans battle to a 5-5 draw at Playstead Park, as Kalfopoulos and Gunn collected RBIs for the Americans, while Jake Ohanesian and James McConville doubled.

Yawkey League

The Medford Maddogs (16-11) played three times last week, and managed to capture a pair of wins, as they try to push for a playoff spot down the stretch run. Medford faced off against the Savin Hill Hornets on August 1, and walked out with a 5-3 win, as they trailed 3-0 heading into the seventh but scored five time in the final frame to earn the much-needed victory. Brad McLean led the way, firing a complete game, striking out eight and walking two, while surrendering just one earned run. Jay Sablone plated a pair of runs, while Peter Byron, Matt Delaney and Mike Delaney also collected RBIs. Matt Mahoney tripled for the Maddogs and went 1-for-4. On August 3, Medford suffered through a 10-0 whitewashing at the hands of the McKay Club Beacons, managing just three hits in the process. Next up for the Maddogs were the South End Astros on August 4, who bore the full brunt of Medford’s rage following their lopsided loss the last time out, and succumbed by a 10-1 scoreline. Buddy Hanley keyed the offense, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs, while Mike Delaney collected three RBIs and went 2-for-4. Matt Mahoney, Talal Saleh and David Hanley also collected RBIs, and Mahoney also homered in the rout. Mike Victory improved to 3-1 on the year with the win.