Andre Chiefs

Malden MA- Mitchell Clegg threw four shutout innings of two-hit relief, and Mike Andre drove in two runs with a double and a single, to lead the Chiefs past the Somerville Thunder 3-1 on Wednesday night at Maplewood Park.

Clegg was dominant in his outing, coming on in the top of the fourth for starter Matt DiCato.

The Thunder got a one out double from Jake Cintolo in the top of the first inning but DiCato induced two grounders to Mike Barbati to end the inning and keep the Somerville club off the board.

The Chiefs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first off starter Mike Ganci on back to back two out doubles from Juan Portes and Mike Andre.

DiCato got the first two outs of the second before surrendering a two out single to Shawn Smeglin. He ended the inning by getting Dan Marks to ground to Nate Witkowski.

The Chiefs came up with a blank in the bottom of the second despite three consecutive walks to Barbati, Witkowski, and Mike DiCato. George Crowley hosed Barbati trying to steal third for the first out before Nick Leva bounced into a doubleplay.

Rob Caggiano led off the Thunder third with a single, stole second, and scored on Crowley’s RBI single up the middle that tied the game up at 1-1.

Ganci set the Chiefs down in order in the bottom of the third when Tony Serino grounded out, Mike Burgoyne lined to center, and Juan Portes flew to deep right.

Clegg came on to replace DiCato to begin the fourth and retired the side in order, including a strikeout.

Andre drew a walk to open the Chiefs’ fourth and went to second on a wild pitch. Ganci then struck out Ryan Sonberg for the first out before Barbati singled to right-center moving Andre to third. Witkowski then grounded into the Chiefs’ second inning ending double play of the game keeping the score at 1-1.

Clegg got three consecutive groundouts in in the top of the fifth and the Chiefs came up with what proved to be the game winning run in the bottom of the frame. DiCato and pinch-hitter John Prentice drew consecutive walks. Tony Serino then lined a single to right, scoring DiCato, to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead. Burgoyne then sacrificed the runners to second and third. Portes was next and he was intentionally walked to load the bases. Andre then delivered his second RBI of the night with a single to center, that scored Prentice, to run the lead to 3-1. Mike Masulli came on to replace Ganci and he kept it a two run game when he got Sonberg to pop up to second and then Barbati on an inning ending infield grounder.

Luke Ronchi singled with one out in the top of the sixth before Clegg reached back and struck out James McConville and Mike Kinch to retire the side.

Masulli worked a quick 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth.

Clegg struck out both Smeglin and pinch-hitter Steve Ohanesian to open the seventh before Knight kept the Thunder alive with a line single to right-center. Clegg struck out the side when he got Caggiano looking to end the game.

Clegg, the former Washington Nationals left-hander, struck out six in his four innings of work and evened his season record at 1-1. Ganci fell to 0-2 with the loss.