Andre Chiefs Baseball Opens Thursday Night
Medford’s Andre Chiefs Open ICL Season on the Road Thursday
Home Opener Friday Against Wakefield
The Andre Chiefs of the Intercity League will open their 2010 season on Thursday when they travel to Ferullo Field in Woburn to meet the Mooney Tanners at 8:00 PM. The Chiefs’ home opener is on Friday when they host the Wakefield Merchants at Tufts University’s Huskins Field in Medford at 6:00 PM.
The team was founded as the legendary Hosmer Chiefs in 1957 and changed their name to the Andre Chiefs in 1989. They have played in Medford ever since, winning 17 championships and 21 pennants.
The Chiefs appear to be strong in the pitching department this season. Included on the staff are local Medford residents Jeff DeCarlo of the University of Michigan and Kevin Gilchrist of Tufts. Joining the will be Mike DiCato (UMass, Malden, MA), Dylan Ellis (Merrimack, Gloucester, MA), Tim Dunphy (Brandeis, Cambridge, MA), who pitched professionally last season, Jared Freni (UMass, Malden, MA), Dan Lozeau (Bryant, Pelham, NH), Chris Foundas (Bryant, Needham, MA), Eric Perrault (Keene St., Salem, NH), Pat O’Donnell (Tufts, Worcester, MA), Rob Machado (UMass, Everett, MA), and Isaac Oakley (Oregon St./UMass, Cambridge, MA).
Infielders will include former Merrimack College captain Mike Andre of Medford, Brendan Pyburn (Merrimack, Peabody, MA), 2009 New England College Player of the Mike Baillargeon (Assumption, Worcester, MA), Mike Barbati (Endicott, Melrose, MA) along with Mike Gedman (UMass, Framingham, MA). Gedman is the son of former Boston Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman.
The Chiefs’ outfield will be patrolled by Matt Boleski (Mass Bay CC) of Medford along with Hal Landers (Wheaton, Salem, NH), Brian Macrina (Merrimack, Winthrop, MA), Peter Copa (UMass, Malden, MA), Tony Deshler (Brandeis, Pepperell, MA) and Tim Dempsey (UMass-Lowell, Lexington, MA). Dempsey is the nephew of former legendary Chiefs manager, the late Lenny Dempsey.
The Chiefs are strong behind the plate with catchers Matt Anderson (Franklin Pierce, Medford, MA), Bob McCarthy (Merrimack, Chelmsford, MA), Nick Leva (So. New Hampshire, Cambridge, MA) and Medford rookie Justin Sencabaugh. Sencabaugh, who will be heading to UMass in the fall, will join the Chiefs at the conclusion of his senior season at Malden Catholic.
Chuck Andre (Boston College), who is entering his 20th season and is approaching 500 wins, will once again be at the helm. He will be assisted by Paul Crisafulli of Medford, who is in his 12th season on the Chiefs’ staff.
The Chiefs’ home games are played at Tufts University’s Huskins Field. The team’s headquarters is located at ERA Andrew Realty in Medford Square. Admission to all games is free.
The Chiefs stay busy early next week when they travel to Lexington to meet the Blue Sox on Monday at 8:00 PM and return to Tufts on Tuesday, June 8, to host Arlington at 6:00 PM.
Fans can access the Chiefs complete schedule, team information and roster at www.andrechiefs.com.
– Information from www.andrechiefs.com.. Photo: Chiefs playing at home at Huskins Field. Courtesy photo.