Reading Bulldogs

On Wednesday night in Malden, we saw a battle of last year’s semifinal matchup between the Reading Bulldogs and the Andre Chiefs. The Bulldogs were able to come away with their first win of the season by the score of 5-4 in a very well-pitched game by both teams. Each team had a total of 5 hits apiece, but free bases and two errors by the Chiefs is what helped propel the Bulldogs to victory along with some timely hitting.

Without recording a single hit in the first inning, the Bulldogs sent 6 batters to the plate, two of which scored via an error and fielder’s choice. From there, Bulldogs starting pitcher Colby Morris pitched two 1,2,3 innings to start the game until the third inning where he allowed three runs on two hits and two walks.

With the Chiefs up one heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, they lead off with a double by Pallazola who later went on to score an insurance run off of a single from Andre to put the chiefs up 4-2.

Trailing by two runs entering the fifth, Bulldogs catcher Chris Bosco lead off with a walk, stole second base, and advanced to third base on a pass ball. With Bosco on third and one out, centerfielder Darren Hartwell hit an RBI infield single to come within one run. The Bulldogs weren’t done yet as the Chiefs pitcher, Jared Freni, was pulled after walking the next batter bringing in left hander Joe Saia. Saia gave up another walk to load the bases before throwing a wild pitch allowing Hartwell to score the tying run. With runners now on second and third and 1 out, Bulldogs shortstop Kevin Marciano hit an RBI single to right field plating Nick Berno to take the 5-4 lead in the fifth.

A one run lead was all the Bulldogs needed as their bullpen shut the door on the Chiefs hitters. Wayne Lundgreen pitched the 5th inning facing 4 batters giving up only 1 hit. Max Mardany came in for the final two innings striking out 4, giving up 0 hits. A strong start from Morris, and 3 dominant innings combined from Lundgreen and Mardany out of the bullpen gave Reading the victory.

Wayne Lundgreen was the winning pitcher for Reading, and Jared Freni took the loss for the Chiefs. Marciano finished the game 2-3, hitting in the winning run with his one RBI and Bosco had 1 walk and a hit to go along with two stolen bases and a run scored. Reading will play the Melrose Americans Sunday night at Endicott College.

All games photo can be found at: http://shartwell.zenfolio.com/bulldogs17