St. Jean Leads Liberty Pizza to Victory in Season Finale

With the magic bat of Matt St. Jean, the Liberty Pizza softball team continued its campaign for the Wayco Softball League championship.

St. Jean led the way, recording three hits along with four RBIs as Liberty Pizza combined for six runs in the final two innings en route to a 9-3 win over JJ McKay’s in Friday night’s Wayco Softball League action at Cochituate Field.

The win ensures Liberty Pizza a first round bye in next week’s playoffs while JJ McKays will face off against an opponent to be determined in Monday’s first round contest.

“Our defense played a lot better in the ,’’ said St. Jean. “We knew that they were a great team coming in, and we had to come out and play our best softball. They battled with us tough, but we were able to come through with some clutch hitting in the later innings to pull the game away. We’re in control of our own destiny and we’re hoping we have a shot at winning the (WayCo Softball League title).”

On three singles, Liberty Pizza grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. With one out, Robby Barnes lined a single to center. A Mike Kennedy two-out single to left placed runners on the corners before St. Jean lined an RBI single to center.

It stayed that way until the top of the third as Liberty Pizza scraped across two runs en route to a 3-0 lead. With one out, Wade Critides reached on an infield hit before Kennedy reached on a fielding error. With runners on the corners, St. Jean followed with his second hit of the night, lacing an RBI single to left for the 2-0 lead. Moments later, Tommy Carmichael connected on an RBI single to right for the 3-0 edge.

Backed by four hits and an error, JJ McKay’s erupted for three runs in the bottom of the third, tying the contest at 3-3. Ian Bonner reached on an infield hit before Tim Harvey beat out a throw on a grounder to short. Another infield hit by Jeff Wright loaded the bases before Joe Fargnoli lined an RBI single to left, trimming the lead to 3-1. After Nick White’s RBI single to left, Dan DeFina executed a sharp single to right center, and the teams were mired in a 3-3 tie.

On a five-hit attack, Liberty snapped a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth and emerged with a four-run attack. With one out, Jamie Mordas and Alex Hill reached on consecutive singles. After Barnes grounded into a fielder’s choice, Critides lined a sharp RBI single to shallow left, scoring Mordas for the 4-3 lead. Another RBI single by Kennedy increased the lead to 5-3 before St. Jean lined a clutch two-run single to right center, scoring Critides and Barnes for the 7-3 cushion.

Securing the win, Liberty Pizza added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. Alex Chu reached on an infield hit before Alex Brennan reached on a fielding error. Another fielding error allowed Chu to score for the 8-3 lead before another throwing error allowed Brennan to cross the plate for the 9-3 cushion.

Despite a pair of singles, JJ McKay’s rallied to no avail as Harvey grounded to the pitcher and Wright grounded into a double play to end the contest.

“We were able to take advantage of some of our opportunities,’’ said St. Jean. “We always find ways to come through with the big innings, and we finished out strong. It was great that we were able to win both games and carry some momentum into the playoffs.”