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Dunphy's Five Hitter, Portes (3 for 4), Lead Chiefs Past Reading, 4-2
Medford, MA- Left-hander Tim Dunphy tossed a complete game five-hitter to lead the Chiefs past the Reading Bulldogs 4-2 on Father’s Day afternoon at Tufts University’s Huskins Field. For the Chiefs, it was their fifth straight win since surrendering a 3-0 lead and losing to the Watertown Reds 5-3 in the season opener.
The Bulldogs took a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Hank Oringer singled, stole second, and scored on Nick Conti’s two out infield single.
The Chiefs came right back and took advantage of starter Brian O’Neil’s wildness to take a 2-1 lead in their half of the first. Walks to Tony Serino, Tony Deshler and Peter Copa, sandwiched around a Juan Portes RBI single and a hit batsman (Nate Witkowski), led to the two runs.
It remained a 2-1 ballgame until the Chiefs pushed across a couple of more runs in the bottom of the fourth. A Portes single, a walk to Witkowski, a misplayed soft liner in left off the bat of Matt Boleski, and a RBI infield single from Chad Conner, gave Dunphy a 4-1 lead heading to the fifth inning.
Reading got an unearned run in the top off the seventh when Dante Padovani reached on a one out error by Witkowski at third and scored on a Billy Cataldo RBI double to account for the 4-2 final.
Dunphy, now 2-1, struck out two and didn’t issue a walk while lowering his ERA to 0.32 in 21.2 innings so far this season. He needed just 77 pitches to record career win 17 in a Chiefs uniform.
O’Neil, who looked dominating at times, allowed six hits and struck out six in his five innings of work. The former Bryant University right-hander walked four (three who scored), and hit Witkowski twice. Lefty Kevin Church came on for the Bulldogs and got the Chiefs side in order in the bottom of the sixth.
Portes, the 2012 ICL Triple Crown winner, finished the day 3 for 4 with an RBI as well as four assists at shortstop.
The starting time for Monday’s game at Maplewood (Malden Catholic) against the Arlington Trojans has been changed to 6:45 PM.
In Memory
Hank Landers
"One of the Greatest Chiefs of All Time"
Intercity League Hall of Fame & Chiefs Retired Number
April 11, 1961- June 9, 2013
Freni Throws No-Hitter in 2-0 Win at Watertown
Watertown, MA- Right-hander Jared Freni tossed a no-hitter as the Chiefs shutout the Reds 2-0 on Wednesday night at Victory Field.
For Freni, it was the first no-hitter of his ICL career which began in 2006.
The former UMass-Amherst and Malden Catholic ace raised his record to 2-0 on the season and gave the Chiefs their fourth straight win.
Freni outdueled Babson righty Nick Ahearn (0-2), who was also outstanding on the mound. Ahearn allowed just six hits and was victimized by an infield error and some tough luck when a fly ball was lost in the twilight sky.
The only runs of the game came in the top of the third. Nick Leva led off with a single and was forced out at second on Tony Serino’s infield grounder. The Chiefs caught a break when Tony Deshler’s grounder was booted putting runners on first and second with no outs. Nate Witkowski then grounded out to short with Serino and Deshler each moving up a base. Peter Copa drew a two out walk that loaded the bases. Mike Andre was next and he hit a towering fly to right that was lost by the Reds defense and went for a two RBI single, scoring Serino and Deshler and pushing Copa to third. Ahearn escaped further damage when he struck out Paul Yanakopoulos to end the inning.
For the Chiefs, Andre (2 for 3, 2 RBI), Mike Barbati (2 for 3) and Leva (2 for 3), recorded the only hits for the visitors in the game.
The Reds best scoring chance came in the bottom of the second when Josue Feliciano reached on a one out fielder’s choice, stole second, and went to third when Leva’s throw went into centerfield. Freni got out of the jam by getting Pete John to fly to Serino in shallow center and striking out Rich Boyer.
Barbati and right-fielder Matt Boleski both did their part in preserving Freni’s no-hitter. Barbati made a nice diving backhand stop of a Felicano hard hit grounder and Boleski made a diving circus catch of Steve Tramontozzi liner, that had extra bases written all over, it in the third inning.
It was the Chiefs’ first no-hitter since the 2011season when the team had two in ten days. Rob Machado no-hit the Reading Bulldogs on June 30 and Mike DiCato turned the trick against the Mooney Dental Tanners on July 9.
Prior to 2011, the last Chiefs’ no-hitter was on June 13, 2007 by Keith Forbes against the Wakefield Merchants at Walsh Field. Forbes’ gem was the first in dozen seasons for the team since former Boston Red Sox hurler Mike Carista threw a masterpiece in a July 14, 1995, win over the Cremone A’s at Morelli Field in Melrose.
The now 4-1 Chiefs are off until Sunday when they host the Reading Bulldogs at Tufts University in Medford at 5:00 PM.
Chiefs Legend Hank Landers Passes Away at 52
Hank attended Somerville High School and Brown University. In High School, he was an exceptional student athlete, earning three varsity letters each in baseball, football, and basketball. He was also a member of National Honor Society and ranked 18th in Somerville’s graduating class of 645 students.
He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 24th round of the 1979 MLB June Amateur Draft, but Hank decided instead to pursue his college education at Brown University. Hank Landers was highly recruited since he excelled in two sports, football and baseball. While at Brown, he set several individual records as quarterback for the Bears' football team. Baseball was where Hank really made his mark, playing in the outfield. Hank's stats...second in extra base hits, second in total bases, second in slugging percentage, second in career home runs, second in most walks in a season, second in most home runs in a game. All of these diamond accomplishments made it easy for Hank to be selected three times All-Ivy and three times all E.I.B.L. Hank swung a ‘big bat’ earning the nickname “The Hammer”. He was inducted into the Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
In 1982, Hank signed a professional contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following two years in pro-ball, he settled down in New Hampshire and was father to three children, Jenaleigh, Harold “Hal” IV, and Clayton.
Hank continued following his baseball dream playing in Greater Boston's Intercity League. He played on four Andre Chiefs championship teams in 1990, 1992, 1995 and 1997. He retired in 1998 as a ‘League Legend” and was inducted into the Intercity League Hall of Fame in 2011.
Over the years, Hank worked for MA-COM (East Coast Sales Manager), Progressive Power Products (Owner), and Vicor Corporation (Director of Sales – America East). He loved his job, but his passion was his three children. His natural abilities were put to good use coaching various teams for his children. Hank was the founder of the New England Rebels AAU baseball program and devoted many years managing and coaching his children and many others.
He was an outstanding father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, coach, and baseball player. He is warmly remembered by many who benefited from his coaching and friendship.
“Live Your Dream” was Hank’s genuine advice.
Hank was a loving father and a great support to his family. He was always there for his children. He leaves behind his daughter, Jenaleigh Landers of Manchester, NH, his son Hal Landers of Salem, NH, and his son Clayton Landers of Salem, NH. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother, David Landers. Hank is survived by his three sisters, Ellen Conroy and husband Brian of Hanson, MA, Patricia Moro of Stoneham, MA, and Clare Morin and husband Joseph of Pelham, NH. In addition to his children and sisters, Hank leaves behind his former wife, Robin (Burba) Landers of Salem, NH, his sister-in-law, Darlene Landers of Lowell, MA, his loving partner, Sharon Siegel of Cape Elizabeth, ME, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be greatly missed.
Calling Hours are on Friday, June 14, 2013, from 4 to 7 PM at Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH. A private funeral service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hank’s memory to the Jane Dybowski Fund for Neuroendocrine Cancer (http://walkingwithjane.org/contribute/)
To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com
or facebook.com/GoundreyDewhirstFuneral.
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DiCato Brothers, Dunphy Lead Chiefs to Sunday Sweep
Arlington, MA- The Chiefs swept both ends of a doubleheader at Summer Street Field in Arlington on Sunday afternoon, winning the opener 8-4 and then riding the shutout pitching of Tim Dunphy to take the nightcap 7-0.
The Chiefs played Sunday’s games with heavy hearts and without right-fielder Hal Landers, after learning that former Chiefs’ great and ICL Hall of Famer Hank Landers, who is Hal’s dad, passed away earlier in the day. (see separate story)
In the opener, Tony Serino, Juan Portes (double, single 2 RBI), Paul Yanakopulos and Mike Barbati all had two hits. Tony Deshler (2 RBI), Mike Andre, Nate Witkowski (triple), Chad Conner and Matt Boleski (double) all chipped in to pace the 13 hit attack. Every Chief in the lineup had at least one hit.
Matt DiCato (1-0) went the first 5.1 innings to get his first win of the season. Big brother Mike DiCato came on to get out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth to pick up the save.
In Game Two, Dunphy’s complete game five-hit shutout gave the Chiefs the 7-0 win.
The Chiefs matched their hit of total of 13 in the first game. Serino led the way with three hits, while Deshler and Witkowski each had a couple of hits each. Portes (double, RBI), Andre (single, RBI), Boleski (double, 2 RBI) and Nick Leva (single, RBI) led the offense.
Babson’s Rob Caggiano recorded the first hit of his ICL career with a pinch hit single in the top of the seventh.
Dunphy struck out five and didn’t walk a batter while bringing his record to an even 1-1 for the year.
The Chiefs will send Jared Freni (1-0) to the mound on Monday night when they meet the 3-0 Mooney Dental Tanners at Maplewood (Malden Catholic) starting at 8:00 PM.
