Andre Chiefs

Medford, MA- Right-hander Jared Freni spun a complete game three-hitter and third baseman Mike Andre hit a three run homer as the Chiefs shutout the Lexington Blue Sox 4-0 at Tufts University on Tuesday night. It was the Chiefs sixth win in their last seven games.

With the Chiefs win, one of the most remarkable streaks in the 61 year history of the Intercity League came to an end. Blue Sox righty Matt Karis suffered his first career ICL loss in an amazing 23 decisions. Karis has been nothing short of spectacular since 2009, posting a remarkable 21-0-1 record entering Tuesday’s contest. Along the way, the Southboro native has been named the ICL’s Outstanding Pitcher twice (2009 & 2010) as well as being tabbed Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 2009.

Freni and Karis showed why they are considered two of the ICL’s best hurlers as they both faced the minimum number of batters over the first three innings. The only base-runner allowed by either pitcher over the first three frames was when the Chiefs Tony Deshler led off the bottom of the first with an infield single. Deshler was promptly erased when Karis got Vinny Pennell to bounce into a double play.

The Blue Sox got their first base runner of the evening when reigning league MVP Pete Frates led off the top of the fourth with a single. Freni got the red hot Justin Wright to pop to Andre for the first out before Frates stole second. Frates was stranded there after Graham struck out and Steve Gath grounded to Deshler at short.

The Chiefs finally broke through against Karis in the bottom of the fourth inning. Karis struck out Deshler swinging leading off the inning. Pennell then got things going when he lined a one out double off the base of the fence in right. Justin Crisafulli followed and drew a walk. Mike Andre was next and he delivered a three run homer to right-center giving Freni and the Chiefs a 3-0 lead.

The Blue Sox got another runner to second base with one out the top of the fifth when Matt McEvoy reached on a Deshler throwing error that skipped by Chiefs first baseman Rick Vail. That’s as far as McEvoy got as Freni reached back and struck out Tom Haugh and Chaz Agrillo in succession to end the inning.

The Chiefs made it 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Mike Barbati doubled into the left field corner and came around to score on Jesse Bruinsma’s RBI single to center. For Bruinsma, it was his first action in almost three weeks as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Wright’s one out line single to left-center is all the Blue Sox could gather against Freni in the top of the sixth.

Lexington’s Jimmy Borden came on in relief of Karis to start the sixth and looked impressive, striking out the Chiefs side in order.

In the seventh, Freni got Gath to foul out to Vail at first base, before catcher Jeff Vigurs singled up the middle. After McEvoy struck out swinging, Freni got Haugh to pop out to Andre to end the game.

With the win Freni goes to 3-0 on the season while Karis falls to 2-1.

The Blue Sox and Chiefs have Wednesday off and both return to action on Thursday. The Sox and Reds hook up in Lexington at 8:00 PM while the Chiefs host the Arlington Trojans at Tufts University at 6:00 PM.