T&J's Holds Off Jay Dee's

A late rally wasn't enough to help Jay Dee's make a comeback in men's softball, as the team lost 6-5 Monday to T&J's at Rye Recreation Park.

After a scoreless first, T& J's led 2-0 in the top of the second before Jay Dee's Greg Kreder scored on a hit from Scott Meisner to trail 2-1 in the bottom of the inning.

A big hit from Jesse Venegas scored Frank Mangiamele and Greg Pastore to give T&J's a 4-1 lead in the top of the third followed by a Michael Mangiamele off JJ Culyer's single for a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning.

Jay Dee's cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth on a Randy Bach single to bring in Adam Sidebottom.

A Jerry Cifarelli single then scored Greg Terlizzi, putting T&J's up 6-2 in the top of the sixth inning.

Jay Dee's slowly crept closer to tie the game, but T& J's Chip Hofler caught a Leonard Walsh sacrifice fly to end the game at 6-5.

Jay Dee's Coach Brian Bach said the outcome of the game wasn't surprising.

"If you score five runs in a softball game, you lose," he said.

Jay Dee's needed to win, but now must count on Rollins losing to Poppy's Cafe Wednesday to have a play-in game with either Rollins or T& J's depending on the outcome of their regular season finale on Wednesday against Tony Legacy's.

"We need T&J's to lose to get a play in game in the playoffs," Bach said.

T&J Coach Frank Mangiamele was satisfied with the victory.

"This was a huge win and we came through," he said. "I would have liked to have a few extra runs for security, but we'll take the win."

Meisner walked two, striking out none in seven innings pitched for T& J's.

Brian Bach had one earned run, no walks, and no strikeouts in seven innings pitched.