Published in the July 8, 2016 edition
THE MARINERS celebrate after winning the Churchill Minor title. Pictured: Coaches (L-R): John Orlandella, Matt Repici, Shawn Sullivan. Players: (L-R): Christian Figueroa, Chris Sullivan, Jackson Orlandella, Jack McAree, Brandon Ward, Amir Lahkiky, Ethan Geissler, Regan Sullivan, Mathew Repici, Imogen Moro, Bruce McGinley, and Max Betts. (courtesy photo)
MELROSE — On Friday, June 17, The Mariners became the Churchill American Minor League champs by beating the Blue Jays 15-12. Both teams came in after having strong wins in their respective playoff games to get into the championship game.
Matthew Palmer started on the hill for the Blue Jays and came out firing, as he downed the side with three strikeouts. In the bottom of the first, backed by Josh Bird, the Blue Jays jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
The Mariners came out strong in the second inning and were able to put up a run of their own with an RBI from Jackson Orlandella.
In the bottom of the second, the Mariners starter, Brandon Ward, followed with a strong half inning of his own and kept the Blue Jays scoreless in the second, to keep the score 3-1 Blue Jays.
In the third inning the Mariners put up three runs in the top half of the inning with RBIs from Ward, Ethan Geissler, and Bruce McGinley.
The Blue Jays then stormed back in the bottom of the inning to put up three runs of their own, led by Abby Weiner, Sam Houppert, Owen Mujalli, and Adam Saragosa. During the bottom half of the inning there was an amazing catch by Jack McAree to limit the offense of the Jays. The Blue Jays were up 6-4.
In the top half of the fourth, the Mariners tried to rally back, scoring two runs behind Christian Figueroa, Regan Sullivan, Imogen Moro, and Max Betts.
Not to be outdone, the Blue Jays stormed back to take the lead 10-6, scoring 4 runs in the bottom half of the inning, backed by Cavan O’Leary this time.
The fifth inning saw the Mariners come back yet again with four more runs in the top of the inning. Amir Lahkiky, Ward, and Orlandella all contributed with RBIs in the inning to tie the game up.
The Blue Jays did not sit idly by and and scored another run of their own, this time behind clutch hits from Jack Ruelle and Nick Vassallo. The Blue Jays were in front 11-10.
The sixth inning was no different than the rest of the game. The Mariners came out swinging and plated five more runs in a complete team inning. The Blue Jays tried to fight back in the bottom half of the inning, with a Jamey Bergeron home run with two outs. However it was not enough with the stellar defense of Chris Sullivan at first base, the Mariners pulled out the Championship win 15-12.
