- Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Mike Rubin

After losing the regular season league title to the Malden Bulldogs by a single point, the Somerville Alibrandis earned a bit of revenge.

Following a 7-5 defeat to the Bulldogs on Thursday night, the Alibrandis bounced back and delivered a series clinching 5-3 win in Friday night’s match-up. The Alibrandis who advance to the Yawkey Championship for the first time in two years, faced the winner of the Al Thomas Athletics and West Roxbury Blue Fish series. The series will be a best of seven match-up, which kicked off Monday night at Trum Field.

“We’re playing our best baseball at the right time of the season,” said coach Rob McDonough. “There’s so much chemistry on this team, and this team is focused. We’ve put ourselves in position to compete for a championship and we’re in pretty good shape right now.”

Facing a 2-0 series deficit, the Bulldogs bounced back and battled to a 7-5 victory last Thursday. Offensively, Tom Englehardt led the way with a four hit performance while Brad Tardugno added two hits and an RBI.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, the Alibrandis bounced back and grabbed a 3-2 lead before adding another run in the fifth. Battling back, the Bulldogs erupted with four runs in the top of the sixth en route to the victory.

On the mound, Dave Fioretti earned the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out six and walking five. Offensively, Matt Deeb and David Scioli recorded a double apiece while Bernie Driscoll added a hit and an RBI.

With a second chance to clinch the series, the Alibrandis staved off another Bulldog surge and prevailed in a 5-3 victory.

Offensively, Ted Dzuiba led the way, recording three hits and an RBI while Anthony Tomaro added two hits and two runs scored. Also contributing with hits included Sam Mendonca, Chad Conner, Marc DesRoches along with Joe Hadfield, Justin Crisafulli and Matt Deeb.

On the mound, Jon Morse earned the victory, allowing three runs, and one earned on six hits while walking one and striking out two. Earning the save was DesRoches, who fired a scoreless seventh inning while striking out two.

Facing a 1-0 deficit, the Alibrandis bounced back with two in the bottom of the first. It stayed that way until the bottom of the fourth when the Alibrandis added a pair in the bottom of the fourth and one in the fifth en route to a 5-1 lead.

The Bulldogs added two runs in the top of the sixth, but DesRochers earned the save following a clean seventh inning.

“It’s been a great run, and we need to keep it going,” said McDonough. “We have all of the momentum going on our side right now, and I’m definitely looking forward to the finals. We’re playing some great baseball, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”