UPDATE: Americans swept in semifinals following 8-game winning streak into playoffs

 

 

 

After press time:
Andre Chiefs complete the sweep over Melrose Americans winning Game 3 by a final score of 13-7.

 

 

Published August 9, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

MELROSE — The Melrose Americans won their eighth-straight game on Aug. 1 as they rolled over the visiting Al Thomas Athletics, 7-2 at Morelli Field on a hot, humid night. 

With that victory, the Americans improved to 16-7-1 as they clinched third place in the Intercity League. 

Pitcher Ronnie Luke improved to 2-0 going all seven innings. He gave up two runs, three hits, three walks and he struck out seven. 

“Ronnie was out so it was nice to have him back,” said Americans manager Kevin Burgoyne. “He pitched great.” 

Melrose scored twice in the bottom of the first inning. 

After the Athletics temporally tied the game in the top of the third, the Americans erupted for five runs in the bottom of the third. 

“It sees like we have one big inning per game lately,” said Burgoyne.

The offense had eight total hits led by Jack Beverly who had a grand-slam home run to left field. He finished the night 1 for 2 with a walk.

Chris Kline also had a big evening going 2 for 2 with a walk as he had a two-run homer to left. 

John Jennings (2 for 2 with two walks) had the team’s other RBI.

On July 30, the Americans hammered the Boston Padres, 11-6, at Cleveland Circle Field in Brighton.

Melrose took control of this one right away scoring five times in the top of the first. They scored once in the fifth, three times in the sixth and twice more in the top of the seventh. 

The Padres scored twice in the second fourth and fifth innings. 

Melrose pounded out 12 hits led by Kline who went 3 for 4 with one walk and one RBI. Four other players, Shawn Nestor, Tad Giardina, Jackson Powers and Melrose resident Ian Libby, all had two hits. 

Giardina knocked in three runs while Powers, who had a two-run shot to right-center, and Libby both had two RBI. 

Beverly, Jennings and Aidan Lynch all had one RBI. 

Brandon McMahon was the winning pitcher as he went four innings. He gave up six runs (four earned), three hits, five walks and he fanned four as his record improved to 4-1.

Ben Cassavoy got the save going the final three frames as he gave up one hit, one walk and he struck out two.

That was his first save of the summer as the Melrose resident just recently joined the team.

“He did great for his first outing,” said Burgoyne.

The Intercity League started this week as the Americans are taking on the Andre Chiefs, who came in second place, in the first round. It is a best-of-five series.

The Chiefs took Game 1, 4-0 on Tuesday night at Maplewood Park in Malden.

Game 2 was Wednesday night and Game 3 was Thursday night. Game 4, if necessary, will be on Friday night, 8 p.m. at Morelli Field. Admission at Morelli is free.

For information about the playoff schedule for the Americans you can go to the league website: intercityleaguebaseball.com.