Announcement
Woburn, MA- Johnny Welch keyed a three run top of the seventh inning with a two RBI single and Jared Freni threw 2.2 innings of no-hit, no-run ball, in relief of starter Mike DiCato, when the Chiefs beat the Mooney Tanners 4-1 at Ferullo Field on Wednesday night.
The Chiefs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Mike Andre got things started when he lined a single to right-center. Nate Witkowski then drew a walk. Everyone was safe when Woburn southpaw Dave Maestri bobbled Mike Barbati’s sacrifice bunt. With the bases loaded, Matt Boleski hit a RBI fielder’s choice to the right side that scored Andre to make it 1-0 and re-load the bases. Maestri then came up big and struck out Nick Leva, Tony Serino and Mike Burgoyne in succession to keep it a 1-0 game.
It stayed 1-0 until the Mooney fifth. DiCato, who cruised through the first four frames, surrendered a long double to Chris Ruocco leading off the inning. DiCato balked Ruocco to third before striking out Mike Fernandez. Freni then replaced DiCato and on the first pitch he threw Nick Pinneau and Ruocco executed a perfect suicide squeeze that tied the game at 1-1. Freni struck out Corey O’Neill to end the inning.
Maestri and Freni matched blanks in the sixth before the Chiefs won it in the seventh. Tony Serino led off and dropped a perfect bunt single. Burgoyne was next and drew a full count walk with Serino running on the pitch. When Maestri’s pitch went to the backstop, Serino scampered all the way to third. With the infield drawn in, Burgoyne stole second before Mike Gedman drew a walk to load the bases. Welch quickly unloaded them when he provided the game winner with a line single to left scoring Serino and Burgoyne. Andre was next and dropped a sacrifice bunt that was thrown away, allowing Gedman to score the Chiefs’ fourth run. Maestri averted further trouble when he struck out Witkowski and Barbati before getting Matt DiCato on an infield grounder.
Freni slammed the door when he struck out the Tanners’ side in order in the bottom of the seventh.
DiCato worked the first 4.1 innings and allowed four hits while striking out a couple. Freni (1-0), got the win and didn’t allow a hit while making a rare appearance out of the bullpen.
Maestri, who kept the Chiefs off balance all evening with off speed offerings, gave up just six hits, three of the infield variety, and struck out seven.
The Chiefs stay on the road and head to Lexington on Thursday night to meet the Blue Sox at 8:00 PM. -B. Tillman
