Andre Chiefs

Malden, MA- Jared Freni threw a complete game three-hitter, striking out fourteen batters, and the Chiefs broke a 1-1 sixth inning tie on the way to a 3-1 win over the Arlington Trojans.

With their sixth straight win, the Chiefs improved to 20-5 on the season and in the process clinched themselves a first round playoff bye.

The start of the game was delayed fifteen minutes, then survived two more rain delays, as the scattered heavy rain showers plagued Maplewood throughout the evening.

Freni hooked up with lefty Jed Robinson, who impressed everyone in the yard while limiting the Chiefs to just four hits, two of the infield variety. The Trojans got a runner in scoring position in the top of the first inning courtesy of Tommy Lenane’s long two out double to the fence in left-center. Freni kept the Trojans off the board when he struck out Marcus Way to end the inning.

The Chiefs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Tony Serino legged out a little dribbler in front of the plate for a single. Robinson then got Tony Deshler on a groundout. Deshler went to second on a wild pitch and moved to third when Nate Witkowski reached on a single to the left side of the infield. Peter Copa then delivered Serino with a warning track sacrifice fly to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead. The inning ended when Paul Yanakopoulos flew to Eddie McDonald in right field.

Arlington tied things up in the top of third. Justin Mansfield and Conor Reensterma both drew walks before Way lined an RBI single to left.

It was all Robinson and Freni for the next three and half innings. Robinson retired twelve of the thirteen Chiefs he faced after giving up the run in the first. Freni meanwhile set the Arlington side down in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

After the second rain delay of the night, the Chiefs won it in the bottom of the sixth inning. Witkowski led off and drilled a Robinson pitch to left-center for a double. Copa then gave the Chiefs the lead when he singled to center scoring Witkowski. Copa went to second on the throw to get Witkowski at the plate and then moved to third on Yanakopoulos’ sacrifice bunt. Mike Barbati's grounder to second brought Copa home with the Chiefs’ third run of the game.

Sam Perkins walked to lead off the Arlington seventh and moved to second when Derek Pizzaro was thrown out at first on a bunt. Freni stranded Perkins and ended the game in style when he struck out McDonald and Mansfield in succession.

Freni goes to a perfect 9-0 with the win. Robinson, who dipped to 2-2, struck out five and walked a couple. The former Winchester and Avon Old Farms standout is transferring to Trinity after spending this past spring with the UConn Huskies.

The Chiefs are off on Tuesday and will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Melrose to meet the Americans at Morelli Field at 7:15 PM.