Captain Paul's beats Philadelphia Insurance, 3-1 !!

Captain Paul's New England Division Champs !!

(stats and plays corrected) Thank you Bob!

Captain Paul's squared off against Philadelphia Insurance this past Saturday at Lawrence Little Leagues Hughes field on a gorgeous Spring day. A perfect way to end the season. Parents, family and lots of players from the other teams showed up on closing day to enjoy the festivities and watch the playoff games. The final game was a nail biter and did not disappoint those watching.

Playing for Philadelphia Insurance: Hunter Rivera, Ian Dauer, Jack O'Reilly, Edward Coplin, Aidan Kane, Jarod Vinch, Will Kosis, Roshan Aiyar, Ryan Shronk, Dominic Madigan, Jake Bennett and Luke Sanjek.

Playing for Captain Paul's: Aidan Loughran, Kevin DallePazze, Ameer Hasan, John Weaver, Sean Hoffman, Patrick Wert, Matt "Noodles" Roman, Max Crouthamel, Sean Corcoran, Matt Carson, Hari Narayanam and Andres Trujillo.

Pitching for Philadelphia Insurance: Ian Dauer and Edward Coplin

Pitching for Captain Paul's: Ameer Hasan and Sean Hoffman.

First inning, "Philly" Insurance's Hunter Rivera struck out in his first attempt at the plate. "Philly" Insurance's only run came from ace Ian Dauer in his first at bats. Dauer doubled and put him in easy scoring position. Jack O'Reilly was ruled out at first on a dropped third strike and Edward Coplin was ruled out after "Wonder Boy" Aidan Loughran snagged Coplins hard hit at short stop and threw to first baseman Sean Hoffman. Dauer later scored on a wild pitch and the score was 1-0, Philadelphia Insurance.

Captain Paul's Kevin DallePazze & Ameer Hasan reached first with singles of their own in the bottom of the first but were later stranded on the bases.

Things were slow in second inning as the pitchers from both teams settled in and struck out several batters. "Philly" Insurance's Jarod Vinch and Will Kosis struck out as did Captain Paul's Matt Roman and Max Crouthamel. Captain Paul's Patrick Wert and Philadelphia Insurance's Aidan Kane were the only ones to connect but recorded outs as well.

Third inning saw a bit more action and the heat of the afternoon may have played a part. In a rare showing, Captain Pauls' Ameer Hasan walked "Philly's" Roshan Aiyar on his first at bats. On Dominic Madigan’s hit  Roshan Aiyar was tagged out at second. Captain Paul's short stop, Aidan Loughran is credited with that out. Hasan regained his composure and managed to get out of the inning without any runs scored.

Bottom of the third started off with a single from Captain Paul's Sean Corcoran. Matt Carson and Hari Narayanam each struck out but Aidan Loughran made it on base after being hit by a wild pitch. Kevin DallePazze was walked and a 2 out triple by Ameer Hasan brought in Corcoran, Loughran and DallePazze to give Captain Paul's a 3-1 lead.  Hasan was thrown out at home as he tried for an inside the park grand slam.

Judging by Captain Paul's players sitting in the Home side dugout on Hughes, it must have been hot in there. Catcher Kevin DallePazze was seen several times sitting at the back of the dugout in the shade. The boys were sweating bullets and I'm sure the two run lead wasn't enough to give them comfort. Kevin was calling the shots behind the plate for all six innings.

The game got a little intense in the fourth as Philadelphia Insurance loaded the bases and had runners in scoring position Jack O'Reilly singled as did Edward Coplin and Will Kosis. The players on "Phillys" bench tried on several occasions to rile up "ace" Ameer Hasan but Ameer remained steady and left the runners stranded. Phew!! Bottom of the fourth started off for Captain Paul's with a dropped third strike on John Weaver after he took a 3-2 count. Weaver was ruled out at first and the next batter, Sean Hoffman was struck out. Captain Paul's Patrick Wert singled but was left stranded after Matt Roman's fly was caught by Philadelphia Insurance's Jack O'Reilly.

Top of the sixth, pitching duties were handed over to Captain Paul's "closer" Sean Hoffman. Well done Ameer !! Ameer did a fantastic job and he was spent but his day was not over just yet.

Hoffman got off to shaky start and allowed runners on base when he walked Ryan Shronk and Dominic Madigan. His job wasn't easy as the chants from the opposing team were heard by all. As Sean settled in, he then struck out "Philly" Insurances next batter Jake Bennett. Ryan advanced to third and Madigan to second. Philadelphia Insurance's Luke Sanjek was ruled out at first on a dropped third strike and with that it was top of the order for "Philly."

I know there a few people who held their breath, myself included, when they realized who was stepping into the batters box. With two outs and the game on the line Hunter Rivera loaded up and took ball one. Hoffman remained steady and threw Rivera a fastball. Hunter connected and sent the ball high and close towards the Home side dugout. Ameer who took over duties at first made a mad dash toward the fence as his Dad yelled his name, come on Ameer !!, come on Ameer !!!

It was over as Ameer Hasan made the final out catching the pop up by Rivera. As Ameer backed away from the fence he was surrounded by his teammates for congratulations.

Captain Paul's 3, Philadelphia Insurance 1, final !!!

It took a complete team effort from everyone on Captain Paul's. Congratulations !!!

A special thanks to Manager Bob DallePazze, Coaches Bob Hasan, John Weaver and Joe Crouthamel. Thank you to team administrator Tracy Wert.