Win would make 11 titles

By Mike Rubin

With three consecutive wins, the Somerville Alibrandis are on the verge of clinching their  eleventh Yawkey League title in the franchises’ 21 year history.

Alibrandis goes for the title Tuesday in Malden, after The Somerville News goes to print.

After suffering a 4-1 defeat to the West Roxbury Bluefish in the opening games of the Yawkey League Championships, the Alibrandis stormed back with a vengeance, recording three one run victories (3-2) (2-1) and 3-2 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

As of press time, the Alibrandis stood just one win away of wrapping up another title to their already historic program.

“We’re so close that we can taste it,” said coach Rob McDonough. “We’re very excited, but right now, we’re just taking things one game at a time. Everyone’s been stepping up and they’ve been doing a great job.”

In Thursday night’s 3-2 thrilling win over the Bluefish, the Alibrandis rallied for three runs in the bottom of the third before holding on to the win.

Leading the way was Justin Crisafulli, who recorded a three run home run to left field. On the mound, Jon Morse earned the win, allowing five hits through five innings and striking out five and walking just one.

Earning the save was Chris Foundas, who fired two solid innings of hitless relief while striking out five.

Other key hits for the Alibrandis included Sal Mendonca, David Scioli, Marc DesRoches and Adjatay Nyadjroh, who also recorded a hit apiece.

In a flair for the dramatics, the Alibrandis pulled out a thrilling walk-off 2-1 win. Mired in a 1-1 tie through six innings, the Alibrandis delivered the heroics as Ted Dziuba delivered a game winning single.

Offensively,  Scioli and Chad Conner recorded two hits apiece while DesRoches, Driscoll and Crisafullo each chipped in with a hit apiece.

Earning the win was Sean Sullivan, who fired a complete game masterpiece. While allowing just one run, Sullivan scattered just two hits, walked four and struck out five.

“(Sullivan) pitched a great game and we were able to get some timely hitting,” said McDonough. “That was a huge win, and we were able to get some timely hitting to get us the win.”

In an eight inning battle at Rogers’ Park, the Alibrandis pulled out a thrilling 3-2 win over the Bluefish at Rogers Park last Tuesday night. Dziuba emerged as the hero, recording an RBI single in the top of the eighth.

On the mound, DesRochers earned the win, going the distance while allowing two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out five.

Other offensive contributions for the Alibrandis include Driscoll, who recorded two hits while Nyadjroh, DesRoches and Crisafulli added a hit apiece.

Kicking off the series, the Alibrandis fell early and suffered a 4-1 defeat to the Bluefish in the series’ first game last Monday.

After a scoreless first inning, the Bluefish added a pair in the bottom of the second before adding single runs in the third and fourth innings en route to a commanding 4-0 lead. Averting the shutout, the Alibrandis closed the gap to 4-1 in the top of the seventh.

Offensively, Driscoll, Crisafulli and Mendonca each led the way, recording two hits apiece. On the mound, Foundas earned the loss, allowing just two hits and two earned runs, while walking six and striking out two.