Medford Maniacs Finish Season Undefeated

Perfect 14-0 Maniacs Middle-Essex League Champions

Courtesy photo.

The Medford Maniacs became Middle-Essex Champions by beating their league rivals, the Medford Blue Devils, 8-3, bringing their league record to a perfect 14-0.

Sarah Neal and Rayann Staude provided solid pitching performances. Neal pitched the first four innings giving up two earned runs, striking out four and walking only one batter. In the bottom of the fifth, Staude ran to first on a foul ball and twisted her ankle, causing her nearly come out of the game. She iced her ankle and went on to pitch the sixth and seventh, giving up no runs, walking three and striking out one. Her doctor confirmed the following day that her ankle was sprained.

Offensively Devon Vendetti walked twice, hit a bunt single and scored three runs. In the bottom of the third, Christine Feeley hit a timely single, scoring two runs, and Kaitlyn Feeney contributed with a single to score a run in the fourth to tie the game. Laurie Allien assisted with two singles and superb base running and Emily Dietrich capped of the offense with a three-run homer in the fifth to extend the Maniacs’ lead.

Both teams played well defensively. In the bottom of the third, Blue Devils Shawna McGaffigan made a spectacular running catch to rob Susie Smith of a home run with the bases loaded. Breanna Botelho caught for the Maniacs, not allowing any pass balls. Allison Caloggero provided solid defense at shortstop along with Alison Bingham at second. Emily Dietrich snagged a sharply hit ball to third by Blue Devils Sarah Donnelly for the second out in the fourth. Sarah Liberty tossed the ball to Christina Lynch for 4-3 out that ended the game, causing the team to erupt into a celebration.

The Maniacs are coached by Jeff Neal, Lenny Dietrich, Paul Liberty and Billy Lynch and sponsored by Pranzi’s Pizza on Winthrop Street in Medford.

– InsideMedford.com