Chiefs Blank Tanners, 9-0
Matt DiCato (2-0) & Nate Witkowski Combine on 5-Hitter, Staff Throws Fifth Shutout in Nine Games
Matt DiCato and Nate Witkowski combined on a five-hit shutout and their mates knocked out a dozen hits to lead the Andre Chiefs past the Mooney Dental Tanners 9-0 at Maplewood Park on Wednesday night.
DiCato (left), who won his second game of the year in as many decisions, worked five innings to get the win. Witkowski worked the final two innings in his impressive pitching debut for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs scored in each of their first four at bats to put this one out of reach early. They took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a walk to Mike Baillargeon and consecutive singles from Juan Portes and Peter Copa.
It went to 2-0 in the bottom of the second on singles from Brendan Pyburn and Hal Landers and a ground rule RBI double from Baillargeon.
The Chiefs sent twelve men to the plate and scored six times to take an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Copa got things started with a double to left-center. Mike Andre promptly delivered Copa with an RBI single to center making it a 3-0 game. Mooney starter Chris Pessotti (0-2) then struck out Tony Deshler for the first out before Pyburn drew a walk. Landers then bounced back to Pessotti for the second out with Andre and Pyburn moving to second and third. Paul Yanakopulos then delivered a sharp two RBI single, scoring Andre and Pyburn, to make it 5-zip. A Bercume double, followed by an infield error, a Portes RBI single, and Copa’s second hit of the inning ran the score to 8-0.
The Chiefs scored their final run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Pyburn walked, went to second on a passed ball, and scored on a Bercume RBI single.
DiCato allowed four hits in his five innings, struck out five and walked one. Witkowski allowed just an infield single and struck out a couple.
Copa (right) had a big night at the plate, going three for four, including a double and three RBI’s. Carlton Lentini recorded two of the Tanners’ five hits.
The Chiefs, now 6-1, are off until Saturday when then they host the Watertown Reds at Tufts University at 1:30PM. They host hometown rivals the Medford Americans on Monday, June 25 at 7:45PM at Maplewood Park in Malden.
– Information and photo from Andre Chiefs. Some material from www.intercityleaguebaseball.com also used.