By MARIA O’DONNELL
MELROSE — Despite a strong start in early July, the Melrose Americans have faltered as they near the end of the regular season, losing four of their last five games. During these four losses, they have struggled with generating offense, as they have scored only five runs combined. This was not always the case for the Americans, who, after losing their first game in July, went on to win seven games in a row to put themselves in the first place position.
As they end the regular season amid this scoring drought, the Americans will need their offense to revert to their early-season forms as they enter the playoffs, which will begin on Monday or Tuesday.
During this 22-game regular season, the Americans have played the Malden Maddogs, the Middlesex Expos, the Lexington Blue Sox, the Reading Bulldogs, the Andre Chiefs and the Alibrandis Baseball Club. The Americans have lost to every team at least once except the Andre Chiefs, who they have defeated four times.
As they enter the postseason, the Americans will likely worry about playing the Blue Sox, who have beaten them three times and who have the highest batting average in the league. The Blue Sox are in first place in the standings with a total of 34 points. Behind them are the Expos with 29 points, Alibrandi’s with 25 points and then the Americans with 24 points. The Blue Sox are very good at getting on base, which will challenge the Americans’ pitchers.
The Americans will heavily rely on their closer Bobby Tramondozzi, who has pitched 17 innings this season. Tramondozzi is tied for the team lead in strikeouts with pitcher Chris Mitchell, with 19 apiece. He has been dependable for the Americans during the final innings of the game.
The Americans have utilized many different pitchers this season. They will likely turn back to Nick Colucci, Joe Maguire and Mike Andrews, all of whom have 12 or more strikeouts, to knock out the innings.
Along with the Blue Sox, the Americans have lost to the Middlesex Expos three times. Although the Blue Sox are the highest scoring team in the league, the Expos have arguably the most challenging pitchers that the Americans will face. With their recent scoring struggles, the Americans will need their prime offense against the Expos.
For the Americans, Bobby Lossano and John Jennings rank first and second in the league in hits, with Lossano at 25 and Jennings at 24. Furthermore, Jennings leads the league with the most home runs, at a whopping six, and ranks fifth in batting average. Both talented power-hitters will continue to be relied upon during the postseason for the Americans. Along with these two, Pat Costigan has started to heat up and has brought a spark to the offense, leading his team with seven doubles.
The Americans will face off against Alibrandi’s on Sunday night afternoon, 3 p.m. at Morelli Field for their last regular season game before entering the postseason.
