Pitcher Sean Sullivan played a big role in helping the Somerville Alibrandis nail down its fifth consecutive championship title.

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Alibrandis have won the Yawkey Baseball League Championship for the fifth straight year in a row, having beaten the Al Thomas Athletics in 5 games.

While Somerville largely dominated the series, the Athletics gave them a run for their money. In game 1 Somerville prevailed over the A’s 3–2, beginning the championship series with a 1-0 lead.

The Alibrandis made all three of their runs in the 2nd inning. Singles were hit by Gillis, Demartines, and DesRoches. Mendonca hit a 2 RBI single with 2 out, sending Demartines and DesRoches home. Gillis scored the third run on a single by Maguire.

The Athletics earned their only run in the 4th inning when John Kostas hit a single with one out, and then scored on Matt Jacobs’ sacrifice fly to right.

Al Thomas scored their second run in the 5th, after hitting three singles.

Anthony Perry ended the game with a thrilling high fly off the fence in the 7^th inning.

Somerville’s pitching was strong as Chris McKenzie threw for the first five innings. Reliever Sean Sullivan was awarded the save. Will Clang’s six innings for the Athletics was a solid effort.

Al Thomas led 1-0 in the first inning of game 2, then Somerville scored four runs in the 2nd inning and maintained their lead take the game by a score of 4–1.

Bobby Barrett and Marc DesRoches both hit singles at the top of the 2nd. Demartinis then walked to load the bases. Mark Addesa hit a single that brought DesRoches home. Maguire was then walked by A’s pitcher Dan Goughan, which sent Barrett to the plate.

Kevin Salines’ 2 RBI single shot followed, giving the Alibrandis a 3 run lead.

Pitcher Chris Foundas earned the win, with Tanguay closing in the 7th.

The Athletics’ Dan Gaughan gave up 4 runs on 7 hits in his 6 innings on the mound.

DesRoches was 2 for 3 for Somerville, and James Katsiroubas was 3 for 4, doubling for the A’s.

Game 3 went Al Thomas’ way as they led off in the first with a two RBI double by Lambert. Willie Archibald took it from there. Matt Jacobs recorded 3 hits while rookie Matt Lavasseur lurched a huged RBI double in the 6^th inning.

The Athletics’ fortunes changed in game 4 as Steve Lambert knocked a 2-out single then moved to second base on Matt Rodrigues’ hit in the 4th inning. Chris McDonough singled and then John Kostas drove in the only runs the A’s would score in the game.

Pitching was controlled through the 4th inning. Relievers Bobby Freeman (AT) and Sean Sullivan (Somerville) took over from there.

The Alibrandis’ 4 big runs in the 5th inning stepped up the pace. Mark Addesa’s double followed by a Maguire 1-out double sent Addesa home to score. Kevin Salines then hit a single and Teddy Dziuba singled to get Maguire home. Salines and Dziuba scored on a Bobby Barrett hit to give Somerville a 4-2 lead.

Sullivan held off the A’s through the 6th inning when Tanguy took over and earned his second save in the championship series.

Somerville won 3-2 in game 5. Shawn Sullivan and Chris McKenzie shared MVP honors.

The Alibrandis’ Marc DesRoches is retiring after this season. He has contributed to 15 championship wins over the past 19 years, mostly as captain of the team. DesRoches is widely recognized as the Yawkey Baseball League’s all-time greatest player.

The Alibrandis have won the league championship 15 times in past 25 years. The team will be honored by the Boston Red Sox at a luncheon on September 24.