SONS HOLD OFF DEPENDABLE CLEANERS LAST INNING RALLY FOR 5-4 VICTORY

Jake Connolly at second getting a rally started  

The saying goes, "it ain't over 'til it's over", and luckily for the Sons, they were able to fend of the last inning surge by Dependable Cleaners, who were believers in the "saying", as they were fighting for their playoff qualifying lives.  The game was shaping up to be a pitchers dual between a couple of top pitchers in the league...Sam Edge for Dependable and Dom DePaoli for the Sons.  The Sons had opportunities though in the second and third to score, but stranded a runner at third in the second, and had a runner double off at second base in the third.  For the most part, Dom was in cruise control on the mound throughout the game, but Dependable did have a little bit of a threat in the third as they put runners on first and third, but Dom struck out the next three batters to put an end to any potential rally.  In the top of the fourth the Sons pushed across a run on a single by Jake Parker, who drove in Danny Keenan who had previously doubled.  It appeared after that run had scored, that it might be the only run scored in the game, as both Dom and Sam were dominating on the mound.  In the sixth, the Sons finally got the bats firing against Sam.  Jake Connolly started the inning off with a double, and he then was followed by singles from Domenic, "D.K.", and Jake Parker.  After the dust had settled, the Sons had added four more "insurance" runs which now made the score 5-0.  In the bottom of the sixth, Dependable got the first batter on by a walk and then Dom struck out the next batter and then got the following batter to ground out back to the mound...("just one more out to go").  Dependable was now at the top of the order and the next batter walked, which now left runners on first and second and that had brought Dom to his pitch count maximum, and a pitching change had to be made.  Dependable now was starting to think they had a chance at a rally, and they got back to back singles bringing in three runs, which now made the score 5-3.  The following batter walked and Dependable had runners on first and second again. The Sons made another pitching change bringing in Mikey Swett.  He was rudely met with another Dependable single to left which got by Jake Sullivan.  Jake finally tracked the ball down at the fence as one runner scored; he then relayed the ball to "D.K.".  When "D.K." got the ball, he turned to notice the potential tying runner had rounded third and was heading for home.  He then reared back and fired a perfect laser throw to the waiting glove of Jake Parker who applied the game saving tag.  What a fantastic finish to an excellent all around game; and as stated earlier, always remember..."IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER", especially in Little League.  The Sons now only have one more game in the regular season and that game is against the Red Sox (a probable first round playoff match-up).