The Somerville Alibrandis snapped their impressive winning streak with a loss to the Brighton Braves last week. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Benjamin Klein

The Somerville Alibrandis’ impressive winning streak has finally come to an end. Somerville started July with a two-game win streak already intact and kept their foot on the gas throughout majority of the month and got it up to eight games. Somerville defeated the AlThomas Athletics 6-3 to extend the streak, but it eventually concluded with a 10-5 loss to the Brighton Braves.

Somerville did something against the Athletics that they rarely allow to happen, get behind early. The Alibrandis have been notorious throughout the season about scoring in the early innings, but in this matchup AlThomas took a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

Somerville would get on the board in the fourth inning with three runs and then added to their lead with one run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth with a two-run home run by Mike Maguire. The Athletics would score a run in both the sixth and seventh innings, but it wasn’t enough for a comeback.

Anthony Del Prete picked up his second win of the season, going all seven innings and allowing two earned runs while walking three and striking out four. Maguire led the offense, the only Somerville batter with multiple hits, runs and RBI.

Somerville would get behind for the second straight game after allowing three runs to Brighton in the second innings. The Alibrandis would get a hold of the lead in the fifth inning and led 5-4 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. This is where the wheels come off for the first time in nearly a month. The Somerville pitching would implode, giving up six runs in the inning on several hits, walks and hit by pitches. Down 10-5, Somerville couldn’t produce a rally in the seventh inning and took the loss.

Chris Foundas, who has been very good this season, was given the loss after allowing nine earned runs over 5.1 innings of work. Jay Wisner recorded the final two outs in Brighton’s big sixth inning. David Scioli was one of the bright spots in the Somerville lineup, producing three hits and driving in three runs.

The Alibrandis will look to put the loss behind them when they take on the Medford Maddogs on Monday at home. Somerville will travel to Brighton on Thursday, but to face the Black Sox and not the Braves. The Alibrandis will also play Friday and Saturday against the Forest Hills Force and the Stoneham Sabers. There are only a handful of regular seasons games remaining and every win is crucial.