Post 7-4 triumph in decisive game, will have a chance to defend title

Published in the August 5, 2015 edition

WAKEFIELD — The Expos have gained a berth in the Twi League finals for the second straight year and will have a chance to defend their title as they swept the High Life in a best-of-three semifinal.

On Monday night at Moulton Field, the Expos jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back as they posted a 7-4 triumph. The win came after an 11-4 victory on Sunday at Moulton in Game 1 of the series.

The Expos jumped on High Life starting pitcher Mike Day in the first inning as two singles by Steve Boghos and Andrew Worden led to a two-run triple by clean up hitter Nick Roberto. Roberto eventually scored to put the Expos up 3-0 early.

The Expos plated another three runs in the second inning after a lead off walk to Tom Kelleher and a single by Mike Cannata led to a two RBI hit by Johnathan Richards, who eventually scored on a fielder’s choice.

The High Life turned the mound over to Matt Davis in the third inning and he quieted the Expos’ bats as they were no-hit the rest of the way but managed to produce one more unearned run in the sixth inning.

Veteran Steve Grasso started for the Expos and went four innings giving up two runs, while having to battle out of a bases loaded jam.

Sean McDonald pitched the fifth and sixth frames for the Expos and got into some trouble as the High Life loaded the bases and scored two more runs. But a great diving stop turned into double play by Expos second baseman Roberto which stopped the High Life rally.

Richards closed out the High Life with a 1-2-3 seventh inning to send the Expos back to the championship series for a second consecutive year. They await the winner of the Brewers and Loafers series, which is set to conclude this week. The Brewers lead the series 1-0.