Andre Chiefs

Malden, MA- The Chiefs rode the lights out relief pitching of Muhlenberg rookie right-hander Sam Kasten, who spelled staff ace Jared Freni to start the third inning, to rally past the Watertown Reds 6-4 at Maplewood on Monday night.

Kasten dominated the Watertown hitters, cruising through five 1-2-3 innings. The Manchester NH product allowed only one baserunner, (a Justin Forman one out double in the fifth), and struck out 10 of the 15 batters he faced including the side in order in both the third and sixth innings.

The Reds jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead off Freni in the top of the first. Kyle LaVigne walked, Liam O' Connor reached on a Ryan Sonberg error, and Will Breenan scored them both with an opposite field double into the left-centerfield gap. In between another walk to Pete Burgio, Freni still managed to strike out the Watertown side.

The Chiefs tied the game up at 2-2 in the thier first at bat. Mike Burgoyne singled and Danny DiMare was hit by a Matt Horan pitch. Peter Copa then hit a wind blown single just inside the rightfield line to score Burgoyne. Jordan Pallazolla was next and he plated DiMare with an infield grounder.

The Reds regained the lead at 4-2 in the top of the second on singles from Mac Jacobson, O'Connor and Forman.

The hosts pulled within a run at 4-3 in the bottom of the second when Nate Witkowski was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Tony Serino's RBI single to center.

Kasten came on to relieve Freni to open the third and quickly set the tenor for his performance on this night when he struck out Ryan Pocock, Burgio, and Mike Samko in order on 14 pitches.

Copa blooped a single to left to lead off the Chiefs' third and moved to second on a Pallazola groundout. Mike Andre then flew to left for the second out. Ryan Sonberg followed and singled to left and O'Connor let the ball skip by him, allowing Copa to score the tying run and sending Sonberg to second. Sonberg moved to third on a Horan wild ptch before Witkowski drove him home with a single for a 5-4 lead.

Kasten (infield grounder to short, fly to Serino, strikeout) and Horan, both got the respective sides in order in the fourth.

Forman's double to deep center put him in scoring postion in the top of the fifth before Kasten caught Pocock looking at strike three, on a full count breaking ball, to end the inning.

Andre doubled to right-center with two outs in the Chiefs' fifth but Horan got Sonberg to pop up to Jacobson at second.

Kasten had another overpowering inning in the top of the sixth striking out Burgio, Samko, and pinch-hitter Steve Tramontozzi in succession.

The Chiefs picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-4 lead and appeared poised to add more off reliever Dante Padovani. Barbati reached on a one out single, Serino walked, and Burgoyne singled to load the bases. Barbati then came across to score when DiMare reached on an infield error. With the bases still loaded, Padovani kept the Reds in range when he got Copa to ht into a 1-2-3 doubleplay.

Kasten made quick work of the Reds in the top of the seventh getting both Jacobson and LaVigne on called third strikes before retiring O'Connor on a fly to Serino in center to seal the win.

Chiefs Chatter....For Kasten, it was his first ICL win. He had made four previous appearances out of the bullpen. He now leads the pitching staff with five appearances over the first 13 games. Kasten has struck out 20 batters in just 12.1 innings to go along with an impressive ERA of 1.14.....Steve Gambale will remain on DL for at least another week. The veteran infielder injured a finger on his throwing hand sliding into the plate against the Blue Sox last Wednesday.....DiMare saw his season long 12 game hitting streak snapped. The second year outfield from Medford,MA via St. Leo's of Florida, is off to a torrid start and is hitting an even .400 (18-45) with three triples, three doubles, and 15 RBI's.....The Chiefs are off on Tuesday and will visit the Americans at Morelli Field in Melrose on Wednesday at 7:30 PM in their last game before the ICL's annual Fourth of July break....
Courtesy of Steve Hartwell