Andre Chiefs

Melrose, MA- For the second time in three games the Chiefs overcame a 2-0 sixth inning deficit, this time coming back to beat the Melrose Americans 4-2 at Morelli Field. In the process, the Chiefs won themselves the Intercity League’s 2013 regular season pennant. It is the first regular season crown for the defending 2012 ICL champs since 2001 and the seventh since the franchise assumed the Andre name in 1989.

The clincher did not come easy as the Chiefs had to battle the always tough Americans to raise their record to 21-5 on the season. It was their seventh straight win and their ninth in the last ten games.

The Chiefs used a trio of pitchers in the game (Tim Dunphy, John Chotkowski & Matt DiCato) in an effort to keep the staff busy with a first round playoff bye already in hand.

The Americans jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead against Dunphy. Singles from Mark Addesa and Devin Perry put runners on the corners with one out. Veteran Mike Addesa then drilled a line drive to center and Perry, who was unsure if Tony Serino was going to make the catch, was forced at second base. Mark Addesa scored on the play and older brother Mike ending up standing at first with a rare 8-4 RBI fielder’s choice.

It stayed a 1-0 game until the third inning when the Americans picked up a run off Chotkowski, who had relieved Dunphy after he worked the first two innings. Gianni Esposito and Mark Addesa greeted Chotkowski with consecutive singles. Mark Fusco then moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt. With the Chiefs’ infield drawn in, Chotkowski got a big out when Perry hit a grounder to Paul Yanakopoulos at shortstop that froze the runners at second and third. The Americans did get their second run when Chotkowski’s first pitch to Mike Addesa went to the backstop, allowing Esposito to score.

Melrose starter Mike Richardson retired the side in order the top of the fourth. The Chiefs turned a 6-4-3 doubleplay behind Chotkowski to keep Melrose off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.

The Chiefs finally broke through and tied the game up after two were out in the top of the fifth. The red hot Yanakopoulos led things off with the second of his three singles and stole second. Richardson then got Mike Barbati to fly and out and struck out Matt Boleski. Nick Leva was next and the gritty catcher came up big when he blooped a single to right, scoring Yanakopoulos on the play. Richardson then threw a wild pitch with Serino at the plate allowing Leva to go all the way to third when Esposito’s throw sailed into centerfield. Serino eventually drew a walk before Tony Deshler brought the Chiefs even at 2-2 when he singled up the middle, scoring Leva. Perry went deep into the shortstop hole to make a nice play and throw out Nate Witkowski by a step to prevent the Chiefs from taking the lead and ending the inning.

Chotkowski got the first two batters in the bottom of the fifth before hitting Fusco with a pitch. Matt DiCato came out of the bullpen to face the right-hand hitting Perry and got him to fly out to Serino in center.

Peter Copa got the Chiefs’ going when he drew a leadoff walk in the top of sixth. Mike DiCato bunted Copa to second and Yanakopoulos moved him to third with another single. With runners on the corners, Barbati hit a chopper to Addesa at third and he threw home to try and get Copa, who scored on the play after the ball was dropped by Esposito following a collision at the plate. With Yanakopoulos now at third, Boleski delivered him with a sacrifice fly to left, giving the Chiefs a 4-2 lead.

DiCato set the Melrose side down in order in the bottom of the sixth inning and reliever Alex Wilson blanked the Chiefs in the top of the seventh.

Manny Powers led off the bottom of the seventh with a line single to right-center before DiCato got pinch-hitter Mike Kalfopoulos to bounce into a 3-6-1 doubleplay. Dave Center grounded out to Barbati at second base to end the game and give the Chiefs their pennant clincher.

DiCato, now 5-0, picked up the win with 2.1 innings of one hit relief. Richardson (0-1) worked six innings and took the loss for Melrose.

The Americans travel to Ferullo Field in Woburn to meet the Tanners on Thursday at 8:00 PM. The Chiefs are off until Sunday afternoon when they meet the Arlington Trojans at Tufts University in a 5:00 PM start.