Andre Chiefs

Medford, MA- Veteran right-hander Mike DiCato was immense in Game Two of Saturday’s doubleheader, throwing another no-hitter for the Chiefs pitching staff, in a 9-0 win over the Mooney Dental Tanners. DiCato’s effort followed former Malden Catholic and UMass-Amherst teammate’s Rob Machado’s gem against Reading on June 30.

DiCato’s gem salvaged an afternoon sweep for the Chiefs, who wasted another outstanding effort from Machado, only to lose the opener 1-0 in gut wrenching fashion.

DiCato, was in control from start to finish, striking out nine and allowing only two base runners, both reaching after being hit by a pitch.

Tanners’ starter Mike Nardelli (0-2) matched DiCato pitch for pitch until the Chiefs finally broke their afternoon’s scoreless frustration, carrying over from Game One, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. The Chiefs used a Crisafulli single, a Tony Deshler double, and a Paul Yanakopulos triple to give DiCato the two run lead.

The lead swelled to 8-0 to the fourth as singles by Mike Maguire and Crisafulli, three walks, a balk, and a three run homer by Deshler, accounted for six more Chiefs runs against Tanners relievers Carlos DelDonno and Dave Maestri.

The Chiefs final run came in the sixth when Rick Vail singled, moved to second when Mike Andre drew a base on balls, and scored on Deshler’s single to left. It was the former Brandeis’ star’s fifth RBI of the game.

DiCato faced just 22 batters in the game, one over the limit. He hit Keegan DeNapoli with one out in the second inning. DeNapoli moved to second base on a wild pitch but was erased when Maguire doubled him off the bag after making an outstanding diving catch of Kevin McKenzie’s sinking liner in centerfield. The only other runner to reach base was in the fourth inning when DiCato also hit Tom Burke with a pitch.

Mike Dicato’s No-Hitter Inning by Inning
First Inning: Mullin struck out swinging, Tatkow ground to Andre at 3B, Burke fouled out to DiCato.
Second Inning: D. Dettore struck out looking, DeNapoli HBP and advanced to second on wild pitch, McKenzie lined to Maguire in CF, DeNapoli was doubled off second base.
Third Inning: Wilson struck out swinging, McDonald struck out swinging, Gali grounded to Yanakopulos at SS.
Fourth Inning: Mullen lined to Deshler at 2B, Tatkow grounded to Yanakopulos at SS, Burke was HBP. Burke stole second. D. Dettore grounded to Andre at 3B.
Fifth Inning: DeNapoli grounded back to DiCato P, McKenzie flew to Cavanaugh in RF, Wilson struck out looking.
Sixth Inning: McDonald grounded to Deshler at 2B, Gali struck out looking, A. Ruocco pinch hit for Mullin. A. Ruocco struck out swinging.
Seventh Inning: Tatkow struck out swinging, O’Hare pinch hit for Burke. O’Hare struck out looking. D.Dettore grounded out to Yanakopulos at SS.

Tanners Take Game One, 1-0
The Chiefs wasted a three-hit, fourteen strike-out performance form Machado, to manage to lose the opener 1-0.

The Chiefs offense was thwarted all game long by Derek Lowe (5 innings, 3 hits, 4 K’s) and reliever and winner Dan Blum (2 innings, 0 hits, 2 K’s)

The Tanners got the game’s only run in the top of seventh. After Machado struck out McKenzie for the first out he hit Alex Ruocco with a pitch. Ben Mullin then grounded to Andre at third with Ruocco being forced at second. Joe Gali then drew a walk and Sean O’Hare reached on an infield single to load the bases. With Tatkow at the plate, the first pitch thrown by Machado skipped away, allowing Ruocco to score the game’s only run.

The Chiefs only had six base runners in the game.The Chiefs are right back at it on Sunday when they host the Watertown Reds at Tufts University at 1:30 PM.   

Medford, MA- Arlington right-hander Mike Griffin went 6.2 innings to get the win as the Trojans held on to beat the Chiefs 5-4 at Tufts University on Thursday night. It was the third straight time this season that the Trojans have beaten the Chiefs.

The Trojans jumped out to a quick 2-0 first inning lead against Chiefs veteran starter Keith Forbes. Former Harvard and Can-Am League standout Morgan Brown got things underway when he drew a leadoff walk. Forbes struck out Danny Binz for the first out but Pete Creamer and Don Walter hit back to back doubles giving the Trojans the two run lead.

It stayed a 2-0 game until the top of the fourth inning as Griffin wiggled out of trouble in the first (Vinny Pennell single), the second (Mike Andre double, Mike Barbati infield single, Rick Vail inning ending doubleplay), and the third (Tony Deshler two out triple).

The Arlington fourth inning started quietly enough as Forbes struck out Walter swinging leading off the inning. Trouble began to brew when Sam Perkins singled to right. Nick Napoli followed and delivered a two run shot over the 367’ sign in left-center, doubling the Trojans lead to 4-0. Arlington wasn’t done yet as Kevin Hart then singled and went to second when Forbes’ pickoff attempt went astray. Hart moved to third when Eddie McDonald beat out an infield chopper to second base and scored what proved to be the game winner when Forbes uncorked a wild pitch making it 5-0.

Tim Dunphy, in relief of Forbes, held the Trojans scoreless in the top of the fifth and the Chiefs chipped two runs off the lead in the bottom of the inning. Nick Leva walked and went to third on a Deshler one out double to right-center. Griffin returned the wild pitch favor, throwing one of his own, allowing Leva to score the Chiefs first run and sending Deshler to third. A Pennell RBI infield grounder plated Deshler as the Chiefs closed the gap to 5-2 before Justin Crisafulli singled and Andre flew to center to end the inning.

Dunphy was sharp again in the sixth, retiring the Trojans in order.

The Chiefs let yet another scoring opportunity pass in the bottom of the inning when Mike DiCato led off with a bloop single to right center and stole second. That was as far as he got as Griffin retired Barbati on a flyout, Boleski on a popup and Leva on a groundout.

Dunphy retired the left-handed hitting Wilson to start the seventh before giving way to Tufts right-hander Jake Crawford.

The Chiefs made some two out noise in the bottom of the seventh. Griffin got Jesse Bruinsma on a groundout to Binz at second base and Deshler on a liner to Wilson in center for the first two outs. When Pennell (pictured left) drew a walk, Arlington Manager Joe Hart summoned Chris DiCecca out of the Trojan's bullpen. Crisafulli greeted him with a two run bomb, the 89th of his Chiefs career, to straight-away left field to make it a one run game. DiCecca ended the evening and the Chiefs comeback hopes when he got Andre to groundout unassisted to Hart at first base. 

The Chiefs out hit the Trojans 9-7. Forbes (1-1, 2.80 ERA) suffered his first loss of the year while surrendering five runs (four earned), six hits and struck out five in his four innings of work. He uncharacteristically hurt his own cause with two errant pickoff attempts and a wild pitch. Dunphy was once again solid out of the bullpen, working 2.1 scoreless innings and allowing one hit.

The Chiefs are off on Friday before a busy weekend awaits them. On Saturday, they host the Mooney Dental Tanners in an afternoon doubleheader at Tufts University with the first game scheduled for 1:30 PM. 

On Sunday, the Chiefs homestand continues when the Watertown Reds visit Tufts for a single game at 1:30 PM

By Justin McAllister
Malden Evening News & Medford Daily Mercury 

Malden, MA- Talk about a change of scenery.

Yesterday morning recently graduated UMass-Amherst slugger Peter Copa was showing soon to be Malden Catholic baseball prospects the intricacies of fielding and hitting at the second week of the Lancer baseball camp at O’Donnell Field in the shadow of his former high school.

Today? Sometime around 11 o’clock this morning Copa will be getting off a plane in Phoenix, Arizona, on his way to the first day of his life as a professional baseball player.

Copa, a lifelong Malden resident and 2007 Malden Cathoilc graduate, who until today was in the midst of his fourth season with the Andre Chiefs of Medford in the local Intercity League, yesterday agreed to a professional baseball contract with Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and will officially sign as a free agent today.

Copa will embark on his new career as a member of the Angels rookie team in Arizona.

It all came quickly for Copa, who went undrafted in the recent MLB entry draft in June and had attended several professional baseball tryout camps since the end of his senior season at UMass.

But any timing was good timing if professional baseball was in the cards, Copa told the Malden Evening News and Medford Daily Mercury.

“When (Angels scout) Nick Gorneau called, all I wanted to know was what time my plane left and how I got to the Angels training facility when I landed in Arizona,” Copa said.” I was thrilled to hear the news. Who wouldn’t be? This is my dream and the dream of probably everyone I ever played with through the years at Malden Cathoilc.”

When he signs his contract, Copa will be the first Malden resident to sign professionally in baseball in over 15 years, since pitcher Keith Forbes inked a pact with the San Diego Padres after being selected in the the 1996 MLB draft.

Copa’s signing with the Angels came as no surprise to his former high school coach Steve Freker of Malden Cathoilc.

"He’s one of the most driven players I’ve ever coached,” Coach Freker said of Copa last night. He’s always put on a ton of time into getting better ever since I’ve known him and like all the other players I’ve coached who signed pro contracts, he’s gotten better at each level."

"I think he’ll continue to get better, that’s the type of player he is,” added Coach Freker, who’s now seen nine of his former players either sign or be drafted professionally, four from his Malden Catholic teams and five from the teams he guided as a former Malden High Baseball coach from 1985-1999.

Medford, MA- Right-hander Jared Freni spun a complete game three-hitter and third baseman Mike Andre hit a three run homer as the Chiefs shutout the Lexington Blue Sox 4-0 at Tufts University on Tuesday night. It was the Chiefs sixth win in their last seven games.

With the Chiefs win, one of the most remarkable streaks in the 61 year history of the Intercity League came to an end. Blue Sox righty Matt Karis suffered his first career ICL loss in an amazing 23 decisions. Karis has been nothing short of spectacular since 2009, posting a remarkable 21-0-1 record entering Tuesday’s contest. Along the way, the Southboro native has been named the ICL’s Outstanding Pitcher twice (2009 & 2010) as well as being tabbed Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 2009.

Freni and Karis showed why they are considered two of the ICL’s best hurlers as they both faced the minimum number of batters over the first three innings. The only base-runner allowed by either pitcher over the first three frames was when the Chiefs Tony Deshler led off the bottom of the first with an infield single. Deshler was promptly erased when Karis got Vinny Pennell to bounce into a double play.

The Blue Sox got their first base runner of the evening when reigning league MVP Pete Frates led off the top of the fourth with a single. Freni got the red hot Justin Wright to pop to Andre for the first out before Frates stole second. Frates was stranded there after Graham struck out and Steve Gath grounded to Deshler at short.

The Chiefs finally broke through against Karis in the bottom of the fourth inning. Karis struck out Deshler swinging leading off the inning. Pennell then got things going when he lined a one out double off the base of the fence in right. Justin Crisafulli followed and drew a walk. Mike Andre was next and he delivered a three run homer to right-center giving Freni and the Chiefs a 3-0 lead.

The Blue Sox got another runner to second base with one out the top of the fifth when Matt McEvoy reached on a Deshler throwing error that skipped by Chiefs first baseman Rick Vail. That’s as far as McEvoy got as Freni reached back and struck out Tom Haugh and Chaz Agrillo in succession to end the inning.

The Chiefs made it 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Mike Barbati doubled into the left field corner and came around to score on Jesse Bruinsma’s RBI single to center. For Bruinsma, it was his first action in almost three weeks as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Wright’s one out line single to left-center is all the Blue Sox could gather against Freni in the top of the sixth.

Lexington’s Jimmy Borden came on in relief of Karis to start the sixth and looked impressive, striking out the Chiefs side in order.

In the seventh, Freni got Gath to foul out to Vail at first base, before catcher Jeff Vigurs singled up the middle. After McEvoy struck out swinging, Freni got Haugh to pop out to Andre to end the game.

With the win Freni goes to 3-0 on the season while Karis falls to 2-1.

The Blue Sox and Chiefs have Wednesday off and both return to action on Thursday. The Sox and Reds hook up in Lexington at 8:00 PM while the Chiefs host the Arlington Trojans at Tufts University at 6:00 PM.    

Medford, MA- Chiefs right-hander Rob Machado threw a no-hitter on Thursday evening as the Chiefs blanked the Reading Bulldogs 4-0 at Tufts University.

Machado used an overpowering fastball combined with sharp slider to strike out nine Bulldogs, including the side in order in both the fifth and seventh innings. The former Malden Catholic and UMass-Amherst standout threw 103 pitches over the seven inning route.

The Chiefs were forced to go with a patchwork lineup and it paid dividends on this night. No less than four starters from Wednesday’s game, Nick Leva, Mike Baillargeon, Vinny Pennell & Justin Crisafulli, were out of the starting line-up.

Machado retired the Reading side in order in the top of the first and the Chiefs gave him all the runs he would need in their first at bat. Tony Deshler was hit by a Colin McGinn pitch and he went to second on Dave Scioli’s fielder’s choice. Peter Copa then singled up the middle scoring Deshler to give the Chiefs a quick 1-0 lead.

It stayed a one run game until catcher Chad Conner (pictuerd right) drilled a bomb shot solo homer to left leading off the bottom of the fourth inning. Conner was making his first appearance for the Chiefs since 2007 replacing the injured Leva behind the plate.

Machado stayed dominant and his mates finally gave him some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth when they opened the lead to 4-0. Conner, who was 2 for 3 in his return, got things started with a double to center. Mike DiCato drove Conner home and switched places with him at second when he drilled a double of his own into the left field corner. Torrid Mike Barbati, who is 7 for his last 10 and has raised his average to .367, then singled sending DiCato to third. McGinn then got Matt Bolseki swinging for the inning’s first out before Crisafulli, nursing a hamstring injury, came off the bench to pinch hit for Paul Yanakopulos and brought DiCato home with a sacrifice fly to center.

In impressive fashion, Machado was to leave no doubts, striking out the side swinging in the seventh to finalize the no-hitter.

Thursday’s gem was not the first time has Machado flirted in no-hit territory. He was one strike away from the accomplishment back on August 9, 2009. Machado’s bid went by the boards when Lexington rookie pinch-hitter Chris Shaw broke it up on a two out, two strike, opposite field single to left in a 3-0 Chiefs win.

It was the Chiefs first no-hitter since Keith Forbes turned the trick against the Wakefield Merchants at Walsh Field on June 13, 2007. Prior to Forbes, the last Chiefs masterpiece was provided by former Boston Red Sox hurler Mike Carista in a July 14, 1995, win over the Cremone A’s at Morelli Field in Melrose.

In an interesting footnote, Machado’s no-hitter was the first ever for a Chiefs pitcher at Tufts University’s Huskins Field. The team moved there from Playstead Park in 1989. The team’s last two no-hitters were pitched on the road.

Rob Machado’s No-Hitter Inning by Inning
First Inning: Cataldo struck out swinging, B. Flutie popped up, Manzi struck out swinging.
Second Inning: Fischer was HBP, Buitkus grounded to Andre at 3B, Gagnon grounded to Andre at 3B, Hartwell flew to Deshler in CF.
Third Inning: Hasley walked, Russo grounded to Andre at 3B, Cataldo struck out swinging, B. Flutie walked, Manzi grounded out to Scioli at SS.
Fourth Inning: Fischer grounded to Scioli at SS, Buitkus grounded to Andre at 3B, Gagnon flew to Deshler in CF
Fifth Inning: Hartwell struck out swinging, Halsey struck out swinging, Russo struck out swinging.
Sixth Inning: Cataldo grounded to Barbati at 2B, B. Flutie walked, Manzi flew to Deshler in CF, Fischer walked, Buitkus grounded back to Machado
Seventh Inning: Gagnon struck out swinging, Hartwell struck out swinging, Halsey struck out swinging.