Andre Chiefs

Malden, MA- Tony Serino’s two run inside the park homer keyed a four run fifth inning uprising, to lead the Chiefs to a 4-2 come from behind win over the Reading Bulldogs on Wednesday night at Maplewood Park. 

Jared Freni was once again strong on the mound for the Chiefs, striking out 11 and picking up his second win of the year in as many starts.

It was all Reading over the first four and a half innings as lefty starter Cam Lanzilli of Eckerd College kept the Chiefs’ bats quiet.

The Bulldogs threatened to take an early advantage when they loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with one out. Freni and the Chiefs escaped and kept them off the board when they turned a 6-4-3 (Nate Witkowski to Matt Nuzzo to Peter Copa) inning ending doubleplay.

The Chiefs weren’t as fortunate in the top of the third when the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead. Darren Hartwell walked and combined with Tyler Cedeno on a perfectly executed hit and run to put runners on the corners with one out. Cedeno stole second, and when catcher Shane Stande’s throw sailed into centerfield, Hartwell scored the game’s first run.

The Reading lead went to 2-0 an inning later when Luke Hall drew a one out walk, went to third on Hartwell’s single to right, and scored on Cedeno’s infield hit to third.

Witkowski finally got the Chiefs underway with a leadoff gap shot double, then went to third on a throwing error, to open the home half of the fifth. Stande cut the lead in half to 2-1 when he delivered him with a line single to left. After Lanzilli struck out Mike Burgoyne for the first out, Serino drilled a shot down the leftfield line that bounced around in the corner, scoring Stande in front of him, for a two-run homer and a 3-2 Chiefs lead. 2017 ICL Rookie of the Year Pitcher Alex Mandrus came on for Lanzilli and was greeted with consecutive singles form Danny DiMare and Matt Nuzzo to put runners on the corners with one out. Copa then gave the Chiefs an insurance run, and a 4-2 lead, with an RBI grounder to short.

It was Freni’s show from there as the big righty slammed the door over the final two frames striking out four of the last six batters he faced.

Chiefs Chatter….With the win, the Chiefs go to 3-0 on the young season….They will send Mitchell Clegg (1-0) to the bump when they travel to Lexington to meet the Blue Sox tonight at 8:00 PM….Former Colorado Rockies 10th round pick Ben Waldrip made his Chiefs’ debut in the designated hitter role…..13 year veteran Mike Andre made his first appearnce of the season in a 6th inning pinch hitting role....Freni recorded his 70th career win in a Chiefs’ uniform…Serino’s inside the park homer was the first round tripper of his Chiefs’ career…..Following Thursday's game in Lexington the Chiefs are off for the weekend and return to Maplewood to host the Melrose Americans on Monday at 8:00 PM....