By MARIA O’DONNELL
MELROSE — The Melrose Americans faced off against the Middlesex Expos in the third and deciding game of the Intercity League semifinals on Sunday night at Morelli Field in Melrose. After struggling to generate much offense during game two (a 16-2 Expos win), the Americans hoped to revert to the form exhibited in the opener of the series where they were able to plate five runners in a 5-3 victory.
The Americans’ offense was led all year by John Jennings, Bobby Lossano, Pat Costigan and Cory Bright and they would face Expos starter Scott Hall in this matchup. Right hand pitcher Chris Mitchell took the mound for the Americans. Mitchell had pitched a total of five games and 18.1 innings for the Americans this year, and he recorded the second most strikeouts on the team at 19, just below pitcher Bobby Tramondozzi.
The game was tense and well played early, resulting in a scoreless tie after three. Both pitchers forced weak contact for quick outs and it appeared the game would be a nailbiter. The Expos had other ideas and broke things open shortly thereafter. In the bottom of the 4th, Bret Sanboy stepped up to bat with two outs and two runners on and changed the game. Sanboy crushed the ball out of the park, giving his team a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Just an inning later, the Expos notched three more runs in the bottom of the 5th, further expanding their lead. Finally, in the bottom of the 6th, the Expos finished their scoring spree with a single run, to give themselves a 7-0 lead entering the top of the 7th.
Both teams only had a total of five hits, but the Expos made their hits count. They were able to garner seven runs due in large part to their selectivity as a team. They were able to work nine walks, while Melrose was only able to secure one free pass.
The Americans did fight back, as they have all year, and made things interesting in the 7th. Kyle Cortese’s double and Mike Nestor’s two run single brought the Americans within five, but Expos closer Ryan Qualey limited the damage and ended the season for the Americans.
The Expos starting pitcher Hall was incredible all night, as he completed six innings without letting up a single run. Hall’s numbers speak for themselves, as he allowed only three hits, one walk and recorded six strikeouts.
In their first year in the league, the Middlesex Expos have made it to the finals where they are playing the powerhouse Lexington Blue Sox in a best of five series at Morelli Field which will host the entire series. Lexington won Game 1 11-4. Wednesday and Thursday’s games were played after press time. Game four, if necessary, is scheduled for Friday night at 7:45 p.m.
Americans win Game 1
The Expos relied on pitcher Mike Smith to get them through the innings of Game 1 on Aug. 12, while the Americans looked towards southpaw Mike Nestor in his sixth game of the season.
The Americans started out hot in the 1st, with Noah Jankowski crushing the ball to land himself on second base and send his teammate home for the first run of the game. Once Melrose broke the ice, Middlesex responded. In the bottom of the second, a walk and errant pickoff allowed the Expos to send a runner home, tying the score at 1-1. However, Nestor avoided any further damage by forcing a couple of ground balls, allowing the Americans to close out the inning.
After a couple of fly balls, the Americans could not get any offense running in the top of the third. The Expos’ offense capitalized on this, setting the tone with a leadoff single and stolen base. Two walks loaded up the bases with no outs, as the Americans entered dangerous territory. Nestor nearly escaped the jam, forcing a pop-up and earning a strikeout. However, another walk sent a runner home and gave the Expos their first lead of the game.
The Americans sent in pitcher Mike Andrews, who struck out an Expos hitter and kept the score at 2-1. Andrews continued his strikeout streak in the bottom of the 4th, striking out the side and mixing his pitches very well.
With two outs in the top of the 5th, Bobby Losanno stepped up to bat. He sent the ball to left field, earning himself a single. Next up was Kyle Cortese, who crushed the ball to right field, sending Losanno home and tying the game at 2-2.
Once again the Expos responded. They began the bottom of the 5th with a leadoff double and he eventually scored to make it 3-2 Expos.
Then came the top of the 6th, the inning of the Americans.
Jankowski began with a leadoff single, with a groundout sending him to second. Scott Searles was intentionally walked and a wild pitch sent him to second and Jankowski to third. Cory Bright was walked, and another wild pitch tied the game.
Next, Keegan O’Connor was walked to load the bases. Following a Melrose strikeout, Losanno stepped up to bat with bases loaded and two outs. Losanno earned the big hit of the game, sending a sharp single to left field. This was enough to send two runners home, giving the Americans a 5-3 lead.
Andrews remained strong and retired the Middlesex lineup quickly in the top of the 6th and then Nick Colucci entered the game for the Americans in the bottom of the 7th. He pounded the strike zone for strikeouts and weak contact to close out the game and earn the save.
Expos win Game 2
After an impressive, late-game win in the opener, the Americans returned to Morelli on Aug. 13 looking to end the series. However, Friday’s game was much different than Thursday’s, as Melrose struggled to get their bats going. They recorded only five hits compared to Middlesex’s 15. Middlesex took control of the game early, scoring five runs in the first two innings and leaving the Americans to an impossible game of catchup.
The only bright spot of the game was Costigan, who went 2-for-3 and helped the team earn two runs in the bottom of the 6th.
The Expos scored eight runs in the last two innings, making their lead insurmountable.
