Andre Chiefs

By Bruce Tillman
Malden, MA- Chiefs’ ace Jared Freni was his usual outstanding self on Monday night.

Reading righty Brian O’Neil was just a little better.

Other than a Juan Portes solo shot in the sixth inning, O’Neil was nearly untouchable. The former Bryant University standout allowed just four hits and struck out 13 when the Bulldogs broke into the win column with 2-1 win at Maplewood.

More bad news in the growing injury department for the Chiefs. It was a scary moment in the bottom of the sixth inning when Johnny Welch was hit with an O’Neil pitch in the mouth and had to leave the game.

The Bulldogs scored both of their runs in the top of the second inning. Mike Taylor led off with a single to right. Freni then struck out the next two batters in succession before Aaron Santos reached on a high hopper infield single behind the mound. Bill Cataldo drew a walk and Andrew Haser drilled a single to center scoring Taylor and Santos.

O’Neil cruised into the fourth before Mike Andre and Mike Barbati both singled with two outs. O’Neil ended the threat when he struck out Matt Boleski to end the inning.

The Chiefs got on the board when Juan Portes hit his first homer of the year to center leading off the sixth.  Welch was then hit with O’Neil’s next pitch and Adam Lucey came on to pinch run. O’Neil got Mike Gedman swinging and Andre to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. 

Freni retired the Reading side in order in the top of the seventh. O’Neil did the same in the bottom of the inning when he struck out Barbati and pinch-hitter Cecillio Guante before getting Nick Leva to bounce out to end the game.

O’Neil struck out 13 batters and walked just one while raising his record to 1-1.

Freni, also 1-1, gave up just five hits and struck out eleven.

Welch was able to leave under his own power and was taken to the hospital where he was undergoing tests and x-rays.