Post 70 Runs Over Milton in Game 1 of the Playoffs

Norwood Legion’s Post 70 opened their 2011 tournament run with a bang Tuesday night at Wall Field with a 14-1 victory over Milton in game one of a best of three series.

And that bang may echo through the rest of the postseason.

Post 70 started the first inning with Sean O’Neil striking out the opposing side and the offense pounding out three extra base hits, five overall, for six crucial runs that the Milton team could never recover from.

Captain Sean Keady led off with a triple down the right field line and scored on a passed ball. After a Chris O’Brien walk, John Gorman tripled to center for another run. Anthony Perriello hit an RBI single to score Gorman making it 3-0, and PJ King added a two run double for Norwood, well on their way to victory at that point.

“We matched the intensity today which I am proud of," said Post 70 skipper Paul Samargedlis.

Milton also scored early with a single off O’Neil by Josh Ellis who advanced to second on a passed ball - putting Ellis in scoring postion. However, O’Neil slammed the door by registering three consecutive strikeouts to end the threat.

“We did a good job coming out strong and swinging the bats,” said DH Anthony Perriello. “He’s a good pitcher, (Milton’s Rob O’Neil) with a strong arm but we hopped on him early.”

Leading the offensive punch was team leader John Gorman who went 4-4 at the plate with a triple, a double, two singles and a pair of RBI’s.

On the mound, Norwood’s O’Neil went seven innings scattering five hits and fanning nine for the complete game victory.

“That’s dominant pitching,” said Perriello.

Look for Milton to regroup Wednesday evening at home when they will play their ace, one of the league’s top pitchers Willie Archibald.

“If they throw Archibald it’s going to be a battle,” said Samargedlis, who admitted after the game that this series is far from over. “I have been in these series before,” he said. “It makes you need one less win but it doesn’t make it easier. We are going in there tomorrow and they are going to fight tooth and nail.”

Norwood will match Archibald with one of their top men as well in James Bussiere. Bussiere posted a 4-1 record with an impressive 2.74 ERA this season, so runs Wednesday will come at a premium.

“He’ll bring his best and we will bring our best," said Perriello. "And we will work from there.”

“We’re not taking anything for granted, you can’t take those fourteen runs with you,” said Samargedlis.