Andre Chiefs

Wakefield, MA- Darren Bisso twirled a complete game five-hitter, surrendering just two unearned runs, to lead the Merchants to a 6-2 win over the Chiefs in Game Three of their best of five semi-final series. With the win, the Merchants narrow the Chiefs lead in the series to 2-1.

Bisso retired the Chiefs in the first and the Merchants struck quickly in the home half of the inning. Brooks Townsend led off with a double down the left field line and Scott Searles reached on an  infield single. Mike Sorrentino then singled to score Townsend for a 1-0 Merchants lead. Loenzo Papa quickly made it a 4-0 game when he drilled a Mike DiCato pitch over the left field fence for a three run homer.

Bisso got the Chiefs in order in the top of the second and DiCato escaped a bases loaded jam in the Merchants half of the inning.

Mike Andre recorded the Chiefs first hit in the top of the third, a two out single.

The Merchants made it 5-0 in the bottom third when former Chicago Cub and ICL veteran Andy Hartung hit a solo homer to left.

The Merchants handed the Chiefs two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Matt Boleski singled with one out but was forced at second on Mike Barbati’s ground out. Paul Yanakopulos then reached on an infield error and Nick Leva drew a walk to load the bases. Jeff Bercume then hit what appeared to be an inning ending fly ball that was dropped in centerfield, allowing both Barbati and Yanakopulos to score to cut the lead to 5-2.

Jake Crawford replaced DiCato on the mound to start the bottom of the fourth inning. After he got the first two outs of the inning, Crawford walked Papa and then gave up a bomb centerfield double to Jason Roth that scored Papa making it 6-2.

Crawford and Bisso threw zeroes the rest of the way.

Bisso, who raised his season mark to 7-2, struck out five and walked three.

Game Four is scheduled for Tufts University in Medford on Saturday at 3:00 PM.