SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE



Jake Connolly taking instruction "Just get on  and get us started". 

Dom, Coach, and Jake "What'll we do now"?

Game 2 started out just fine for the away Sons team, as the first two batters Jake Connolly and Jake Parker reached base via base on balls, and after a couple of fielder's choice at bats by "D.K." and Dom DePaoli, Jake Parker scored the all important first run of the game.  The Red Sox quickly changed pitchers and went with their "ace" Zach Bouhov.  The Sons countered with Dom DePaoli (the Sons "ace"),  and this game was now shaping up to be a low scoring pitcher's dual, but with a 1-0 lead, things were looking "real good" for the Sons.  Both pitcher's shut down the opposing team's offense as each pitcher struck out batter after batter.  In the bottom of the fourth with Dom pitching a no-hitter and looking absolutely unhittable and unbeatable, the unthinkable happened.....Dom injured his pitching arm and had to be removed from the mound.  In a tough situation, Cam Comeau came in relief of DePaoli, and even though he pitched his best performance of the season, the Red Sox were able to rally and squeak out a well fought 2-1 victory.  Hats off must go to Zach Bouhov, as he was able to no hit the Sons the rest of the way while compiling 14 strikeouts of the 18 batters he faced.  It also must be mentioned that Dom's no hit effort through 4 innings and prior to the injury, was probably the best pitching performance seen by anyone down at the little league fields this season, and Bobby O'Neil's catch in center field was without a doubt "the best clutch catch" made by anyone in the league this year as well.  Without the injury....who knows?  File this story under the "would've, could've, should've" category or just a case of a "simple twist of fate.... or arm".  Next up, game 3 to decide who advances to the divisional final.


Cam with all eyes on him, pitches his heart out.





Bobby O'Neil with the #1 catch of the year and Robert approves of the effort.

SONS TAKE PLAYOFF OPENER 3-2

D.K.'s masterul mound work

Dom DePaoli patrolling short

The Sons entered the playoffs with high hopes, and for good reason, they had beaten their playoff opponent (the Red Sox) in both their previous regular season meetings 5-3 and 5-4 and they had finished ahead of the Sox in the regular season standings.  In game 1 the Sons held serve and defeated the Red Sox in a closely contested game by a score of 3-2.  Danny "D.K." Keenan pitched a masterful game striking out 10 batters and only allowing 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings.  Dom DePaoli polished off the win with a much needed strikeout of the last batter, as the speedy and distracting Zach Bouhov was lurking on third base as the potential tying run.  Key hits in the game came off the bats of Jake Parker's  double to start the 2nd inning and  Cam Comeau's triple which scored Jake.  Cam then scored on a passed ball for the 2-1 lead.  In the third, the Sons added to their lead with Matt Parker scoring on Dom DePaoli's double, which proved to be the winning hit as the Red Sox could only muster 1 more run to make the final score 3-2.

Game 1 in the books

SONS WIN FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON



Jake Parker steals third and goes onto score the winning run

In a preview to the playoffs, the Sons defeated the Red Sox 5-4 in a tightly contested game.  In the first inning the Red Sox got out to a quick lead on a one out single that drove in two runs.  The Sons cut the lead in half in the second, with a clutch single by Jake Sullivan, driving in Dom DePaoli who had previously singled.  The Red Sox quickly answered back with a run of their own in the top of the third.  The Sox threatened further, but after loading the bases, Mikey Swett got the last batter to strikeout, ending any more damage.  In the bottom of the third, the Sons erased the lead, and then went up on top 4-3, after Jake Connolly walked, Danny Keenan, Domenic, and Jake Parker all singled, eventually accounting for the three runs.  Bobby O'Neil came in to pitch in the top of the fourth, and he was able to quiet the bats of the Red Sox until the top of the fifth when Zach Bouhov led off with a double which he eventually scored after stealing third and then came home on a ground out to short (which was "D.K.'s" fifth put out of the game), this tied the score at four.  The Red Sox could sense opportunity to possibly pull this game out with a win, so they went to their ace Bouhov in hopes of shutting down the Sons, which he did for the first two batters; but he then walked Jake Parker who then proceeded to steal second and third, and then he scored on the failed attempt to pick him off as he slid into third, and as the ball got away from the third baseman Jake dashed off to home with the go ahead and eventaul winning run.  In the top of the sixth Bobby O'Neil continued his excellent pitching effort and he got the lead off batter to ground out back to the mound, and then he ritired the last two batters with strikeouts.  The victory over the Sox allowed the Sons to leap frog over the Red Sox into second place in the final standings which gives them home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs versus the same Red Sox.  The Sons final regular season record 13-6-1. 

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).

SONS AND SOX POSTPONED

Saturdays game under the lights against the Red Sox has been postponed due to rain.  The game will be rescheduled for a later date.  Next on tap for the Sons will be Dependable Cleaners (again) on Sunday.

SONS QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS WITH WIN OVER DEPENDABLE CLEANERS

Kevin "K.O." O'Neil eyeing a pitch to drive

In a well played game by both teams, the Sons came out on top with a well deserved 6-3 win.  The Sons jumped out on top in the bottom of the first with a two out, two RBI single by Cam Comeau, scoring Jake Parker and Dom DePaoli.  Cam followed by scoring on a passed ball that put the Sons up 3-0.  In the top of the third, Dependable cut the lead to 3-2 with a 2 run inside the park home run by Sam Edge.  The Sons came right back to add a run in the bottom half of the inning with back to back doubles by Dom and Cam's ground rule double.  In the next inning the Sons got two more runs with three straight singles from the bats of Tom Hastry, Kevin "K.O." O'Neil, and Jake Connolly, which now brought the score to 6-2.  In the top of the fifth, Dependable threatened to have a big inning, but could only manage to score one run as they left the bases loaded with  Danny Keenan getting  the last two batters on a strikeout and a pop out to Dom DePaoli at short, ending any more damage.  In the last inning Dom came in relief of "D.K." (who had reached his pitch count maximum) and he promptly struck out the side in fine fashion, using only 12 pitches, as he put a nice finishing touch on a very entertaining and well played game.  Rain permitting, the Sons will face the Red Sox (who sit on top of them in the divisional standings) under the lights Saturday.

WE HAVE A WINNER IN THE "WICKED GOOD TRIVIA" CONTEST

Dom DePaoli 2012 "Wicked Good Trivia" Contest Winner 

Congratulations to Domenic DePaoli for winning this years "WICKED GOOD TRIVIA" contest.
The correct answers are as follows:
1.  Carl Stotz - 1939
2.  Hit, Error, Walk, Hit By Pitch, Fielders Choice, and Catchers Interference
3.  Chris Drury Played for Colorado Avalanche NHL and Danbury Connecticut Little League
4.  Peabody, Saugus, Middleboro, Walpole, Worcester, and Andover
5.  Former Massachusetts Governor and current Presidential Candidate - Mitt Romney