QML Championship Series: Malachy's Hands Hoffy First Loss of '08

KINCAIDE FIELD, W. QUINCY - "Drago's cut!"

After an outstanding 29-game winning streak, Team Hoffy fell victim to a shorthanded lineup and timely hitting by Malachy's, losing 20-13 to cut its series lead to 2-1.

Hoffy started out on fire, posting five runs in the first inning on seven hits. The three time defending champs tacked on three more runs in the second led off by first baseman Jim Dennis beating out an infield hit showing the kind of speed that made him a Salem State legend in the late 80's. Hoffy led 8-2 after the 2nd.

Never a team that backs down, Malachy's launched a powerful offensive attack, scoring 18 runs over the next four innings. Team Hoffy got three runs back in the bottom of the 5th . Neil Plante complimented his stellar defense with a lead off single. Scott Logan then got the home team charged up by legging out a double and scored easily when Glen Bosse launched a triple down the right field line.

Despite missing six starters, Hofbrau made no excuses. "We had them on the ropes early, but they're a very good team and they executed when they had to," Keith McCray said. "We didn't have the answer tonight, but we'll be back to work in game 4."

QML Championship Series: Hobrau Does It Again, Rallies To Beat Malachy's, Wins 13-11

By Keith McCray
Associated Press

KINCAID PARK, W. QUINCY - Harry Houdini, stop me when this starts to get ridiculous.

The rallies and comebacks are becoming the stuff of legend. For the past four seasons the Hofbrau has staged countless comebacks to power their championship dynasty. Last night, the team added another wild win to their impressive resume. Staging yet another improbable comeback Friday night, the Hofbrau beat Malachy's 13-11 to take a 2-0 series lead in the best of 7 Quincy Merchant League championship.

Held to just four hits and two walks through the first five innings, Hofbrau faced a 6-2 deficit heading on the sixth. The Hoffy bats then woke up as the undefeated three time defending champs came alive with 7 of the first 8 batters reaching safely. Ramon led off with a hard hit single to left. Nelly followed with a base hit up the middle. After a Jim Dennis walk, Scott Logan drove in the first run of the inning with a deep sac fly to left. Glen Bosse, Bill Wysocki, Steve Yocco and Mike Yocco ripped consecutive base hits to erase the deficit and give Hoffy a 7-6 lead.

Malachy's answered the Hoffy onslaught with three runs of their own in the bottom of the 6th to retake the lead.

Trailing 9-7 after 6 innings, and inspired by friends and family, including fans from Stop and Shop's corporate office, Team Hoffy dug down one more time. A heads-up walk by Dave Brolin got things started. Hoffy then retook the lead for good with back to back doubles by Ramon and Nelly. Dennis started the insurance runs with a single to knock in Nelly, who toughed it out to score depsite injuring a hamstring in the second inning. Scott Logan kept the inning going with a single. Glen Bosse's third hit of the night, a line drive double to left center, and a sac fly by Wysocki gave Hofbrau a 13-9 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

Malachy's looked as if they might come back to win in the bottom of the seventh with the heart of the batting order coming up, but conservative base running left the bases loaded. Big green plated two runs in the inning, but stellar defense saved the day again for Hofbrau. With a man on first and the tying run at the plate, Ramon turned in the defensive play of the night when he snagged a hard grounder in the hole at second and fired to second for the second out. Wysocki almost turned it into a game ending double play, but the Malachy's batter just beat the throw. Hofbrau ace Steve Lannan put the final nail in the coffin as the next batter grounded to third to end the game and close the book on another Hofbrau comeback.

"Deep down I knew we were going to win," Jim Dennis said after the game, "but I can't believe what we just did."
"This is what we do," Tom Fratolillo added, "it's another classic Hoffy comeback."

NOTES: The Hofbrau improves to 27-0 on the 2008 season. . . Game one hero Jon Bosse was a last minute scratch due to a prolonged nap. . . Hoffy rightfielder Tom Fratolillo sustained in injury to his ego, popping up in three staight at bats en route to an 0-4 night, he is listed as day-to day.

BSSL Championship Series: Flanagan's Wins 7th Consecutive Title

LABRECQUE FIELD, HOUGHS NECK - The Flanagan's dynasty rolls on as the John Cascarano led club won in a blowout to capture it's seventh consecutive championship Wednesday night in Houghs Neck.

The Morrell Club put up a valiant effort, losing game one by one run and games two and three in extra innings. "They're a tough team to beat." said M.C. pitcher, dh Mark Nutley "They pick up the blitz better than any team in the league. They don't get rattled and can also adjust and adapt on the fly very, very well. Smash-mouth or finess, they can do it all."

For Flanagan's, it is their 11th overall title, winning four as the Sons of Italy in the early to mid 90's. The team has won more championships than any other in league history and there is no signs of them slowing down. "It feels great", said Cascarano "It never gets old. Even though we are head and shoulders above the rest of the league, and win most of our games by blowout, it's fun. It's good to be on top. We'll be back next year. It should be easy, but there's always room to improve. Those first three games were way to close for comfort. . . we'll pick up a few guys to strengthen up our weak spots."

BSSL Championship Series: Flanagan's Squeaks Past Morrell Club In Extra Innings Again, Takes 3-0 Series Lead

LaBRECQUE FIELD, HOUGHS NECK - Super-Flanagans is on the verge of capturing their seventh straight Boston-South Shore League championship. The Morrell Club has proved to be a worthy opponent for the Flanny's juggernaught, but have fell short in each of the first three games of the finals.

With last nights 10-9, 8 inning win, Flanagans will look to wrap it up tonight in Houghs Neck.

QML Championship Series: Jon Bosse's Slam Sparks Hofbrau To Game One Rout

By Keith McCray
Associated Press

KINCAID PARK, W. QUINCY - The Hofbrau came from behind once again to win it's 26th consecutive contest with a 19-5 blowout win over arch-rival Malachy's to take the first game of the Quincy Merchant League best of seven finals.

Playing without Nelson Feliciano, Steve & Mike Yocco and Keith McCray, the three-time defending champs came out flat, mustering only 3 hits in the first three innings and trailed 5-2 after three innings.

Down and seemingly on course to a repeat of last years game one loss, in true Hoffy style, they reached into their bag of tricks and came alive in the 4th inning, sending 14 batters to the plate. A walk to Tom Fratolillo loaded the bases and set the stage for second year player Jon Bosse. Stealing a page from his uncle Glen, who throughout the years has delivered countless clutch hits for the maroon and gold, the 20 year old turned on a 2-1 pitch, crushing the ball to left which cleared the bases and changed the game The grand-slam gave the Hofbrau a lead which they would not relinquish.

For the young Bosse (wearing someone's #25 as opposed to his usual 17), it was the first of two home runs on the night. "I wasn't thinking up there," said Bosse "I'm just having fun and enjoying the moment. Fortunately I got a pitch I could drive and didn't miss it."

After the slam, Dave Brolin, Greg Harper and Ramon hit consecutive singles before Scot Logan knocked in 2 with a double to center. Glen Bosse kept the inning going with a walk, which set up a 2-run triple by Jim Dennis.

Ramon and Logan fought through injuries to provide offensive production and the defensive stability that the Hoffy has relied on throughout the year.

Fireballing pitcher Steve Lannan shut Malachy's down the rest of the way. Hoffy put up 7 insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th on nine more hits, including a 2-run bomb from Jon Bosse. In all, five Hoffy starters had at least three hits, including a 4-4, 4 rbi night from Dennis and a 3-4, 6 rbi performance from J. Bosse.

"That's what this team is all about," McCray said. "The minute you think you have us...you don't."

NOTES: Bill Wysocki returned to the lineup, playing solid defense and going 2-3 with 2 RBI. . . Malachy's pitcher Jack Manning was fined for an undisclosed amount for use of foul language during the game. . . for more information on the Hofbrau visit official team site at www.hoffyblogspot.com