25-0 Hofbrau to Face Malachy's for Merchant League Crown

QUINCY - The Hofbrau is back in the finals against their greatest rivals, Malachy's.

The North Quincy based club is the last team to beat the Hofbrau. Malachy's will be looking for a repeat of last year's game one where they handed the Hoffy it's first loss of the season.

Despite the series opening loss the Hofbrau prevailed in one of the greatest Merchant League finals of all time, winning in seven games.

Last year the Hofbrau entered the finals with a 25-0 record and had won an astounding 44 consecutive games dating back to the '06 season. They won the last 10 games of that year, then ran the table in the playoffs (9-0) en route to their second consecutive title. Since the 10 game winning streak the Hofbrau has compliled a mind-boggling 73-3 record, with all three losses coming from Malachy's.

The team features a balanced attack of solid defense, pitching and hitting led by leadoff batter and speedster Nelson Feliciano, gold glove thirdbaseman Scott Logan, flame-throwing all-star pitcher Steve Lannin, powerhitting infielder Ramon, veteran 1b Jimmy Dennis and the clutch hitting of infielder/outfielder Glenn Bosse.

The club also showcases several stars from McInnis Carpentry of the Boston South Shore League (aka the Houghs Neck League). Pitcher/Catcher Greg Harper, outfielders Steve Yocco & Tom Fratolillo, ss/2b Bill Wysocki and 3b Scott Logan.

The Hofbrau boasts incredible depth with dependable players such as catcher/dh Keith McCray, outfielders Dave Brolin, Mike Yocco and Joe & John Bosse. Yocco has been a force in the lineup while McCray, Brolin and the Bosse's have provided clutch hits in dire situations to deliver wins for the team.

Game one is at Kincaid Field Tuesday night. The start time has yet to be announced.

Flanagans Sinks Morrell Club In Extra Innings, Take 2-0 Series Lead With 19-13 Win

HOUGHS NECK - The Morrell Club is giving Flanagans all they handle, but fell short once again 19-13 in extra innings last night at LaBreque Field.

The Morrell Club held a 10-8 lead going into the seventh. Flanagans scored three to go up one but M.C. came back, pushing one across and almost won the game on a low line drive by pinch hitter Brian "Boofa" Clifford. A sliding catch by Lou Venterelli saved Flanagans and the game moved to extra frames.

In the 8th Flanagans rallied with two outs, capitalizing on an error in right field. Flannys shortstop Sean Lynch had two big hits in the inning as the champs plated seven big runs.

Hofbrau Rallies Twice, Advances To Finals

Keith McCray
Associated Press

KINCAID FIELD, W. QUINCY - Team Hoffy endured a tough challenge from Paddy Barry's, needing 8 innings to post a 12-11 win to advance to their 4th consecutive Merhcant League finals.

Hofbrau was its own worst enemy in the early going as baserunning mistakes killed what might have been rallies. The three-time defending champs found themselves continaully in counter-punch mode. PB put up a 3-spot with some clutch hitting in the top of the seventh to put Hoffy on the ropes, 11-10. Scott Logan (4-4, 3 rbi) knocked in the tying run in the bottom of the seventh. Logan almost scored the winning run when Glen Bosse ripped a base hit to center field, but was gunned down by a good relay throw to the plate.

After letting up a run in the top of the 8th and having to endure the most trash talk in recent Merchant League history (most of it from the PB peanut gallery), Team Hoffy stepped up and took what was theirs again. A single from Tom Fratolillo sandwiched between walks by Jim Dennis and Mike Yocco loaded the bases for Greg "Hop Sing" Harper, who silenced the loadmouths with a solid base hit to left. A slight bobble by the PB left fielder was all T-Frat needed to cruise in with the winning run.

"The good news is we're going to the finals," second baseman Glen Bosse said, "But we're gonna need to play a lot better than this in the next series."

As for the finals, it's a rematch of last year's classic 7-game final between Hofbrau and Malachy's, which completed its sweep of Big Times in the other semi-final match up.

For more information and updates on the Hofbrau please visit www.hoffysoftball.blogspot.com

Flanagans Edges Morrell Club 8-7 In Game One Of Finals

Morrell Club Advances To Finals With 10-5 Win Over Chefs

LaBREQUE FIELD, HOUGHS NECK - The Morrell Club completed their surprising semi-final upset of the top seeded Chefs with a 10-5 victory last night in Houghs Neck Softball playoff action at LaBreque Field.

The Chefs offense, which looked so good for the second half of the season, stalled and struggled to score throughout the series. "We just couldn't get it going," said Chefs outfielder Dennis Joyce "It's frustrating, But hats off to the Morrell Club, they hit well and made big plays when they had to."

The Morrell Club pushed runs across in the first and second innings. For most the game it seemed thats all they would need. The 2-0 lead held until the fifth inning when the Chefs offense finally showed signs of life. Getting hits from Joyce and Steve Miller and taking advantage of Morrell Club errors, the Chefs took a 5-2 lead in the top of the 5th.

After cutting the lead to one in the fifth the Morrell Club exploded for a six run sixth on hits by Sean McDonald, Jaime Shatzle, Matt Fratolillo and Mark Nutley. The inning was highlighted by Nutley's three-run triple to right. "Just trying to drive the ball with no outs and the bases juiced," said Nutley "I was looking for something down and in. . . fortunately I got it, put good wood on the ball and it found a gap in their defense."

The Morrell Club's 10-5 lead held as the Chefs went quietly in the seventh. With the win the number five seed Morrell Club (16-11) advances to the finals and will attempt to derail six-time defending champion and number two seed Flanagans (22-3). Flanagans is undefeated in postseason play and is coming off a semi final sweep in which they outscored McInnis Carpentry 56-16.

Bulldogs Edge Quincy 10-7, 15-13 For Second Straight Sunday Title

FORE RIVER FIELD, QUINCY - After losing to Quincy two weeks ago, the defending champion Bulldogs were faced with the daunting challenge of winning four straight games to defend their title. They were up for it, winning a wild game against the Dirt Dogs, ousting the number 1 seed Brew House and then coming back from a 10-1 deficit in the deciding game to win their third Sunday Night Softball League championship.

"It feels great!," said Bulldogs rightfielder Wally Galuski "It was tough run to just get back to face these guys again. But once we made it through last week we felt confident about our chances."

After winning a defensive grudge match in game one the Bulldogs found themselves in trouble as the Quincy bats exploded for 10 runs in the first two innings of the final game. Quincy left fielder Ray Phillis connected on a three run homer to left-center to give Quincy a comfortable nine run lead. Unfortunately Quincy would not score again until the 7th, leaving the bases loaded twice in the 4th and 6th innings.

The Bulldogs took advantage of Quincy's stalling offense, cutting lead in half with a four-run fourth inning. The offense finally came around in the 5th as Bill Clarke, Jesse Winter, Josh Preble and Henry Martin all had hits during a big seven-run outburst to push the Bulldogs ahead 12-10.

Quincy loaded the bases in the sixth on hits by Tom Fratolillo, Bill Marchand & Dean Salvatori and seemed poised for a big inning. After a pop up to third, Steve Waas lifted a shallow fly ball to left center field. Fratolillo, tagging from third, gambled and lost on a great throw from Bulldog outfielder Jesse Winter and was called out at the plate on a very close call to end the threat.

Merchant League Playoffs: Brolin's 7th Inning Triple Helps Hoffy Beat Paddy Barrys

KINCAID FIELD, W. QUINCY - The bats were silent for most of the night, but the Hofbrau showed just why all 7 innings count, coming from behind with a 6-run seventh inning to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the semifinal series.

Paddy Barry's put the three-time defending champs in an ealry hole, scoring five times in the third inning. The Hoffy responded by getting three runs back in the fourth inning before going hitless in both the fifth and sixth. Stellar defense from Nelson Feliciano in centerfield and Glen "Chico Lind" Bosse at second base prevented the game from getting away.

Down 6-3 after six innings, the Hofbrau turned in clutch performance to add to their long list of improbable, thrilling comebacks. Tom Fratolillo got things going by reaching on an infield error. After a hard line drive out by Mike Yocco, Keith McCray shot a base hit to center field. Dave Brolin then launched a two-run triple in the gap to left center to make it 6-5. Steve Lannan then tied the game with an infield single. A base hit from Jon Bosse and a heads-up walk from Feliciano loaded the bases for Steve Yocco, who knocked in the go-ahead run in a close play at the plate that might have resulted in an out had Paddy Barry's catcher been standing on the plate (as opposed to two feet in front of it and trying to put a tag on a force play). Scott Logan and Glen Bosse cleaned things up by knocking in two more runs to give Hofbrau a 9-6 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, the two mainstays for Hoffy, solid pitching and good defense took control and shut PB down.

With the win the Hofbrau improves to 24-0 on the season and is one win away from reaching the finals for the 5th straight season. They have won the last three and will be looking for an unprecedented 4th consecutive title.

Greatest Of All Time? Flanagans Sweeps M.C., Makes Run At Unprecedented 7th Straight Title

HOUGHS NECK - John Cascarano's Flanagans team took care of business last night, beating a depleted but resiliant McInnis Carpentry team 14-9 to advance to their 8th straight championship appearance and are looking to defend their title for a record 7th consecutive season.

No team in Boston South Shore League history has won as many consecutive titles. Not even the legendary Legion teams of the '70's or the powerhouse Louies & Hobrau squads of the 80's and early 90's.

"These guys are quite possibly the best this league has ever seen," said Houghs Neck sofball/baseball guru Dave MacMillian "The Post had a dominant run during the '70s. They won 5 or 6 but not all in a row. Louies and the Hofbrau were great teams but they kept each other in check. . . it was a toss up when those two met in the finals. This Flanagans group can hit. There are no soft spots in their lineup. "

Flanagans has been on the scene since the early 90's and won several titles during the decade, they were then known as Sons of Italy.

"Most of the names are different since those early Sons of Italy squads," said Hammers GM Tom Fratolillo "But the one constant is the guy who pulls it all together, Johnny Cascarano. He's obsessed with winning and brings in only the best players. They are loaded with top tier players, 1-11. To beat them you have to play your best and even then catch a few breaks on top of that. I'm proud of our club, despite being shorthanded for most the series we gave them a tough run the last two games."

Flanagans will face either the Morrell Club or Chefs in the finals. The Morrell Club stunned the top seed Chefs again with their second straight blowout win, 17-7. The Chefs, who's torrid play for the last month of the season, had many believing Flanagans run may be challenged. They now find themselves in a big 0-2 hole and face elimination tonight at LaBreque Field.

M.C. Affiliate Quincy to face Bulldogs for Sunday Softball Title

QUINCY - McInnis Carpentry affiliate Quincy will take on the Quincy Bulldogs this Sunday in the South Shore Sunday Night Softball League championship game.

Quincy comes in at 18-4, is 4-0 in the tournament and needs to be beaten twice for the championship. This years game is a rematch of last year's final in which the Bulldogs won easily 22-6.

Quincy features several McInnis Carpentry players: Thirdbasen Scott Logan, 2B Mark Free, outfielders Neal Plant, Sean Munro & Tom Fratolillo, 1b Chris Smith and pitcher Greg Harper.

The Bulldogs are led by former Hammer shortstop Mike Palmer. Both Palmer & second baseman Bill Clarke played for the Hammers (then known as the Manet) during the '01 season.

Summer Olympics: Cream Team

BEN RADCLIFFE
M.C. Foreign Correspondent

BEJING, CHINA - So Last night I went to the 2008 USA Dream Team vs. China Olympic basketball Match. It was raining outside and there were tons of people trying to score tickets for the match.

One american guy was shirtless trying to trade a spurs jersey for tickets. I have heard the going rate for scalped tickets were 3000 yuan ( $450usd I only paid $12 per ticket ) but there was no amount of money that would convince me to sell my tix and give this experience up. Can't really put it into words.

The gang was all there me, E.L.S., Kobe, Yao, LeBron, Henry Kissinger, the old George Bush, the new George W. Bush but more importantly the beers were only 72 cents. No event ever will compare to seeing this live. it is expected to be the most widely watched television event in world history with over 1 billion viewers ( china is a big country full of chinese people ).

The energy in the stadium cannot be described when Yao hit a 3 pointer for the first points of the game. You cannot even imagine the vibe of 1 billion people in china awestruck with that one shot from the most famous athlete ever in china. At the second half it was clear that yao and his rice eating teamates were no match for kobe, lebron, and wade but it didn't matter the crowd cheered for both teams. The people were all decked out in NBA jerseys and zhong guo jia you kung fu headbands. They cheered at every play for every player it didn't matter who won or lost all the mattered was the game. At the end when china was down everyone was still going nuts every time kobe dunked. This was THE event of the Olympics and I still can't believe I was really there to see it! Sometimes life truly is a gift.

The only negative points were that concessions were geared more to chinese tastes. meaning the hot dogs didn't have buns and instead of nachos they had noodles.

READ MORE on the travels of G-Towns favorite son, the professional man of leisure at www.professionalmanofleisure.blogspot.com

Flanagans Pushes Carpentry To The Brink, Win 14-6

HOUGHS NECK - Coming off of their worst loss in team history and missing several key starters, the McInnis Carpentry softball club faced the daunting task of beating a high-powered Flanagans team that appears to be peaking in search of it's 7th straight championship.

The Hammers hung tough and took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third. Flanagans could not duplicate it's spectacular display of hitting from game one but did manage a steady attack, building a 10-3 lead through 5 innings of play.

"We gave them a good fight, we we're competitive", said Hammers GM Tom Fratolillo "We just couldn't get the bats going again tonight. Our defense and effort was much better than game one. Unfortunately we were one or two hits away from making a serious run at these guys. We'll be back Wednesday night to take another crack at it and see if we can get this thing to 2-1."

Flannys outscored the Hammers 4-3 through the final two innings to secure the 14-6 victory and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of five series.


Notes: Rich Brill was named Bud Light player of the game by going 2-3 with 2 RBI. Brill is 3-4 in the semifinals. . . Tom Fratolillo's playoff start in left was the first his 15 year career. . . Steve McInnis continued to hit well in the playoffs, going 2-4. . . The Morrell Club (25-6 game one winners) looks to put the number one seed Chefs in an 0-2 hole tonight in the other semifinal contest.

PLAYOFFS: Champs Rock Hammers 28-1

HOUGHS NECK - After cruising through the first round of the playoffs the McInnis Carpentry softball club was feeling confident about their chances against 6-time defending champion Flanagans.

The Carpenters were coming into the matchup after outscoring a tough Local team an impressive 53-21. Flanagans brought the high-flying Carpenter offense to the ground, rocking the black and orange 28-1, their worst loss in club history.

"They gave us a wake-up call tonight," said Hammers GM Tom Fratolillo "The delivered a knockout blow early. . . at 21-0 after only three innings, that's tough to come back from against any team, let alone Flanagans. The good news is this is a best of five, not a one and done tournament. We're a better team than what we showed tonight. There's really no where to go but up from here."

There were few, if any, bright spots to game one of the semifinal matchup. The Hammers were held to only five hits through six innings and sent no more than four batters to the plate in any of those innings. "We laid an egg tonight," said team captain Scott Logan "Simple as that. But we'll bounce back . . . 'cause I said so."

The Hammers didn't have a runner reach second until the top of the 5th. With one out and runners at the corners in the 7th, Neal Plant's hustle down the line to beat out a close double play saved the Carpenters from their first shutout ever.

In three game against Flanagans the Hammers have been outscored an alarming 61-9 and currently own a 11 game winning streak over the M.C. club.

PLAYOFFS: Morrell Club Routs Chefs 25-6 In Semifinal Opener

Former SCAD Pitcher Zink Gets Call For Sox

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Charlie Zink will become the first Savannah College of Art and Design baseball player to pitch in a major league baseball game.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed pitcher from El Dorado Hills, Calif., will toe the rubber as the starter for the Boston Red Sox as they entertain the Texas Rangers at venerable Fenway Park Tuesday (Aug. 12). The knuckleball pitcher is replacing starter Tim Wakefield, who went on the 15-day disabled list Monday (Aug. 11).

Zink, who was 13-4 overall with a 2.89 earned run average in 25 starts for Class AAA Pawtucket (R.I.) was selected to the International League All-Star team, registered two complete games and one shutout for Pawtucket. He has limited the opposition to a .228 batting average in 152.1 innings in 2008 with 94 strikeouts and 43 walks. Zink was chosen to play in the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game.

Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Red Sox in 2002, Zink played three seasons for the Bees from 1999-2001. He went 9-17 in 35 games for the Bees with a 3.76 earned run average in 210 1/3 innings of work. He allowed 184 hits, while striking out 263 batters and walking 110. He holds the college mark for strikeouts in a game (14 against Savannah State University, 2000).

Zink is one of three SCAD baseball players - all pitchers - currently playing professionally. Ryan Pope, who was selected in the third round of the 2007 draft by the New York Yankees, is currently playing for the Class A Tampa (Fla.) Yankees. Pope was named to the Florida State League's All-Star team in June. Richard Sullivan, who was taken in the 11th round of this year's draft by the Atlanta Braves, is pitching for Rome (Ga.), which is the Braves' Class A affiliate in the South Atlantic League.

"This is great," said McInnis Carpentry GM and former SCAD outfielder (1994-97) Tom Fratolillo "A Bee making it to the bigs and for the Sox too! I'm happy for him. We never did play together but I'm proud of him for representing SCAD. I wish him the best. If things don't work out with the Sox we have a spot for him here with the Hammers."

PLAYOFFS: Semi Finals. M.C. vs. Flanagans

M.C. Affiliate Quincy Advances To SNSL Championship

WEYMOUTH - McInnis Carpentry AA affiliate Quincy advanced to the Sunday Night Softball championship Sunday with wins over the defending champion Bulldogs 12-8 and number one seed Brew House 18-6 on Sunday in Weymouth.

Quincy came from behind to top the Bulldogs. Down 8-7, Sean Munro blasted a one-out grand slam to left center to put the big Q on top. Quincy added another run in the top of the 7th and held on for the win.

In the semifinal matchup with the Brew House, Quincy raced out a 9-2 lead after two innings. The Brew House scored four in the 5th to cut the lead to 9-6. Quincy answered right back with a three run 6th. A six run seventh put the game away and moved Quincy into the championship game a league record 10th time.

Quincy (formerly Tru-Wheels) is making it's third straight championship appearance and is looking to capture it's fifth title and second in three years.

Hammers Beat Local 23-8, Advance to Semifinals

PLAYOFFS

15 Run First Powers Carpentry Over Local, 30-12

HOUGHS NECK - The McInnis Carpentry softball club opened the playoffs in a big way last night by sending twenty men to the plate which resulted in a first inning 15 run explosion. The 15 runs tied a McInnis Carpentry playoff record and the thirty runs was the second highest ever scored in team postseason play.

"A crucial win for us," said Hammers GM Tom Fratolillo "There's no time to blink in the first round. The series is so short, you lose that first game your backs are immediately to the wall. We came in knowing we have our hands full with Local. They are a tough team that can score."

It looked like it would be a rough night for the Hammers as Local came out swinging in the first. Local sent ten men to the plate and scored five runs on five hits and walk.

Down 5-0 the Carpenters responded. Greg Harper (4-5, 2 RBI, 4 Runs) led off with an infield single. After a Steve Yocco (4-4, 2 RBI, 3 Runs) hit, Jimmy Dennis (3-4, 2-RBI) walked to load the bases. Scott Logan (3-4, 3 RBI) stepped in and delivered a two run line drive to center field to get the Hammers on the board. Two batters later Gary Smith (2-4, 2 RBI, 2 Runs) drew a walk to load the bases for Steve McInnis (4-5, 2 RBI, Double, 3 Runs). McInnis continued his big season with a double to right center, which cleared the bases and tied the game at five all.

"I feel very comfortable this year," said McInnis "It helps when you finally have the trust of your coach. Last year I wasn't comfortable because these guys didn't have a clue where to play me. One day it's third, the next firstbase. . . I mean, how the hell am I suppose to find a rhythm? So I said the hell with it and just drank a few extra beers before each game. This year I'm where I want to be and where I should be, and that's on the mound. They keep playing me there I'll lay off the booze."

The Hammers big first inning continued, after Player Of The Game winner Mark Free (3-3, 2 HR's, BB, 3 Runs) took first on a four pitch walk, Chris Smith (3-4, Triple, 4 RBI) delivered a triple to score both McInnis & Free. Sal Buonpane (2-4, RBI, 2 Runs) knocked in Smith from third with a single and Tom Fratolillo (1-4, 2 Runs) kept the offense rolling by ripping a double to left center. When the dust settled the black & orange had scored an astounding fifteen runs.

"You couldn't have asked for a better start to open the playoffs," said Hammers DH Gary Smith "This team can hit. We expect to score each and every inning, there's really no let downs in this lineup, one through eleven is an offensive threat. We had good at-bats tonight, guys were focused and hitting the ball hard. This team is for real and we do believe we have a chance to win every time we take the field."

Local came back with two runs in the second to cut the Hammer lead to 15-7 to stay in the game. 104 swung the bats well but just couldn't get that extra hit to match the Carpenters torrid attack. Local left 10 runners on base.

Any hopes of a comeback were dashed with a nine run third inning to put the Hammers up 24-7. Mark Free connected on a grand slam, his first of a two home run night.

Carpentry outscored Local 6-5 through the last three innings to cruise to their first playoff game win since the '06 semifinals. The win broke a six game playoff losing streak (0-4 to Flanagans in the '06 finals & 0-2 last year to VFW).

NOTES: The Hammers were without ss Bill Wysocki, outfielder Sean Munro, Jeff Sheehan and Neal Plant. All are expected back for game two. . . Tom Fratolillo's first inning double broke an 0-6 drought against Local. . . Mark Free's 6 RBI tied a team postseason record (Logan '02 vs. Mauri Electric, Wysocki '05 vs Local 103). . . Rich Brill made his first playoff appearance in 8 seasons. (last was with Cagney's in '00). . . the 30 runs was the second highest scored in team history since a 44-17 win over Mauri Electric in 2002.