Andre Chiefs

Wakefield, MA- Veteran right-hander Jarrod Marchesi threw a six-hitter, and another Wakefield veteran Mike Sorrentino, delivered a two-out, two RBI single, in the bottom of the fifth inning, to lead the Merchants to a 2-1 win over the Chiefs at Walsh Field on Sunday.

After a scoreless first inning, the Chiefs struck first in the bottom of the second. Johnny Welch doubled down the right field line and went to third on Mike Gedman’s grounder to the right side. Peter Copa gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead when he delivered a sacrifice fly to center. Consecutive singles from Mike Andre and Mike Burgoyne followed, but Marchesi got out of the inning when Nick Leva grounded out.

Chiefs’ starter Jared Freni allowed a single to Joe Barry in the Wakefield second.

Marchesi made quick work of the top of the Chiefs’ order in the third and Freni enjoyed a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the inning.

The Chiefs threatened but could not score in the top of the fourth. Welch and Gedman led off the inning with singles. Copa was next and he hit a shot to right-center that Bobby Losanno tracked down for the first out. Ryan Sonberg, hitting for Andre, who tweaked a hamstring and left the game, was next and Marchesi caught him looking at strike three. Marchesi escaped the inning when Burgoyne bounced back to him to retire the side.

Freni had two strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth and the Chiefs left Billy Mottram stranded at third in the top of the fifth. Mottram drew a two out walk, stole second, and went to third when Barry’s thrown went into centerfield. That was as far as Mottram got when Marchesi struck out Juan Portes swinging to end the inning.

The Merchants got the game winning runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Clay Yiancopulous led off with an infield single and was sacrificed to second. Lou Tarantino then drew a walk, and Losanno reached on a bunt single in front of the mound to load the bases. Freni struck out Scott Searles for the second out of the inning before Sorrentino delivered a single to left, scoring two runs, and giving the Merchants the lead a 2-1. Both runners moved to second and third on the throw home but Freni kept it a one run game by striking out James Ramsey.

The Chiefs couldn’t do anything with a Gedman one out single in the top of the sixth.

Mike DiCato came on in relief of Freni in the bottom of the sixth and surrendered an infield single to Mike Mangoonian leading off the frame. Barry bunted Mangoonian to second but DiCato got two infield grounders to send the game to seventh.

In the Chiefs seventh, Burgoyne lined out to right for the first out. Danny DiMare then pinch-hit for Leva and singled up the middle. Marchesi then retired Tony Serino on a groundout, and got Mottram on a fly ball, to end the game.

Marchesi upped his record to 2-3 with the win. He struck out four and walked won.

Freni saw his recored fall to 4-1. He gave up five hits in five innings and struck out eight.

Chiefs Notes….Mike Andre recorded his 300th career hit in the second inning. He then had to leave the game with a hamstring issue. Andre now joins Justin Crisafulli, Mike Langston, Mike Barnes, Dave Clivio, and Warren Olson, in the Chiefs 300 hit club….It was the first time since July 11 and 12 of 2012 that the Chiefs have lost two straight games….The Chiefs are right back in action on Monday night when they host the first place Lexington Blue Sox at Maplewood at 8:15 PM…..