- Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Mike Rubin

With three wins in their last four games, the Somerville Alibrandis are prepared for a run to the Yawkey League Playoffs. The Alibrandis now stand at 19-7-1 and are firmly in second place in the Bill Stewart Division. Overall, the Alibrandis stand in fourth place in the playoff standings.

“We feel like we’re playing our best baseball of the season right now,” said coach Rob McDonough. “We have a lot of different guys stepping up and doing a great job. We have a lot of key guys that are hitting and our pitching has come through on a number of occasions. We’re looking forward to the playoffs and making another run at a (Yawkey League) championship.”

Led by Dave Scioli, the Alibrandis battled to a 6-3 win over top ranked Malden Bulldogs at Trum Field last week.

Facing a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the fourth, Scioli delivered a three run home run, propelling the Alibrandis to grab a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, the Alibrandis added an insurance run to account for the final score.

Offensively, Matt Deeb recorded three hits while Bernie Driscoll added two hits along with two runs scored. Also contributing was Adjatay Nyadjroh, Marc DesRoches and Ted Dzuiba, who added a hit apiece.

On the mound, Dave Fioretti earned the win, going the distance while allowing three runs on three hits, walking three and striking out eight. On a side note, assistant coach Mike Powers played in his 750th career game.

Guided by a solid pitching performance by Jon Morse, the Alibrandis delivered a solid 6-1 win over the Medford Mad Dogs also last week.

Facing a 1-1 tie through five hard fought innings, the Alibrandis erupted with five sixth inning runs. Offensively, Deeb recorded another three hit game while Anthony Tomaro and Scioli added two hits apiece. Also contributing offensively was Driscoll, Dzuiba and Sal Mendonca, who also chipped in with two RBIs.

Earning the win was Morse, who went the distance, while scattering five hits while allowing no earned runs, walking two and striking out seven.

“(Morse) had great command of his pitches,” said McDonough. “He kept the ball over the plate and threw consistently for strikes. He was simply on fire, and (Deeb) has been very hot at the plate. We’re getting a lot of guys to contribute on offense.”

Despite a solid effort, the Alibrandis suffered a tough 5-4 loss at the hands of defending champions the West Roxbury Bluefish.

After the Bluefish struck first in the bottom of the first, the Alibrandis battled back with a run on the top of the third before the Bluefish regained momentum. Adding two runs apiece in both the third and fourth innings, the Bluefish staked out to a commanding 5-1 lead and averted a furious Alibrandis rally to hold on for the victory.

Earning the loss was Chris Foundas, who went the distance, while allowing two earned runs on nine hits.

Offensively, Dzuiba and Scioli each added two hits while Deeb, Tomaro and Driscoll added one apiece.

With a six run rally in the top of the first, the Alibrandis cruised to a 10-0 win over the Beacon Hill Dodgers in Friday night’s match-up at Trum Field.

Earning his first hit of the season was Yondo Nyadjroh, who recorded a two run single while DesRoches delivered a solid pitching performance. Defensively, the Alibrandis turned in three double plays while Deeb added another three hit performance at the plate. Other offensive contributors included Chad Conner and Tomaro with two apiece while Foundas, Deeb and Pat Noble each contributed with two RBIs apiece.

On the mound, DesRoches allowed just three hits through six shutout innings while walking none and striking out six. Rounding out the pitching was Jay Wisner, who allowed just one hit in a scoreless inning.