MIKE SORRENTINO had a big RBI single during the Merchants seventh inning rally against the Trojans on Tuesday. The Merchants scored six runs in the inning to win it 8-6. Sorrentino, the longest tenured Merchant, has often led the charge during late game rallies for the Merchants this year. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
Published in the August 3, 2017 edition.
ARLINGTON — In case you have haven’t been following the Merchants this season, here is what you need to know: They can hit; in any inning, and at any time, no matter what the score is.
That is why when the Merchants found themselves down 6-2 heading in to the final frame at Summer St. Field in Arlington, they didn’t panic, give up, or even look at the scoreboard. Here was just another opportunity to hit.
Wakefield ended up putting six runs on the board, taking an 8-6 lead.
Greg Johnson (3-2) entered the game in the second inning, after the Trojans put up five runs in the first. Johnson settled the team down, surrendering only one run throughout the final six innings.
The Merchants offense was slow to start the game. They picked up their first run in the third, and added one more in the fourth but it was nearly enough to catch up with Arlington. After getting blanked in the fifth and the sixth, Wakefield mounted the comeback and completed the best comeback in recent memory.
Paul McGunigle had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Merhcants. McGunigle has been an excellent presence towards the end of the order for the Merchants all season. He is hitting .364 on the season.
Chris Butler had a big two-RBI double in the seventh, following a Mike Sorrentino two-RBI single. Bobby Losanno and Dillon Koster finished two-for-four and Ryan Collins added two hits as well.
The Merchants needed a win to keep pace with the top of the Intercity League. The Merchants are currently in fourth place with 28 points, trailing the Lexington Blue Sox and Watertown Reds who are tied with 33. The Andre Chiefs are in first place with 34.
The Trojans are last in the ICL with 10 points, making this a big opportunity for the Merchants. WIth two of the four remaining games coming against the reigning champion Blue Sox, The Merchants need to win any game they can. They are firmly in the playoff race, with the top six teams making it in, so the Merchants will now jockey for position and try to get the best possible seed.
Wakefield’s game against the Somerville Royals was postponed last night. They will play two games against the Blue Sox on Thursday and Saturday, and they will make up their Royals game on Sunday, 1 pm at Walsh Field.
