Flanagan's Rallies Behind M.C. Meltdown

LeBREQUE FIELD, HN - It was the tale of two games last night as the McInnis Carpentry softball team took on powerhouse Flanagan's at LeBreque Field.
For the first four innings the Hammers were in complete command, seemingly well on their way to a third straight regular season sweep of the champs.

The M.C. club built a 12-4 lead through the first four innings, getting big hits from Scott Logan, Steve McInnis, Mark Free and Sal Buonopane.

But the black & orange unraveled in a nightmarish 5th inning. Flanagan's took advantage of four walks and five big errors to tie the game with a 8 run inning.

"We just came unglued there", said Hammers outfielder Tom Fratolillo, who gambled and lost on a low line drive which helped fuel Flanny's big inning. "Against Flanagan's you really do need to be perfect... as we were in our first meeting. (a 10-6 M.C. win) Their offense is incredible, when they give you outs you have to make them. To make as many mistakes as we made tonight and still be in the game going into the last inning was a miracle."

Leading 16-13 Flanagan's put the game away in 7th by having another big inning. Capitalizing yet again on walks and errors to plate 7 and go up 23-13.

After the Hammers chased starter Steve Tuoma Flanagan's turned to their bullpen . The M.C. club was shut down the rest of the way , outscored 19-1 through the final three innings.

"They're a good club," said Flanagan's manager John Cascarano "I thought they had us there in the beginning... but fortunately we caught some breaks and the bats came alive."

With the loss the Hammers drop to 11-4 while Flanagan's improves to a league best 15-2.


NOTES:

The June rainout against the Hofbrau will be made up as double-header to wrap up the season.... Mike Aupperlee's solo walk off home run Sunday gave M.C. affiliate Tru-Wheels a double-header sweep over the Red Rose Cafe... there will be Beer & Food at the M.C. Compound on the 3rd of July to celebrate our independence.... barring a losing streak the Hammers appear to have the #2 seed wrapped up. Three other clubs are battling for 3rd with 9-7 records.