Medford Team Wins Softball Championship

In the final game of a thrilling best of 3 series, the “Americans” pulled off a last inning, 4-3 walk-off victory over the “Ultimate Warriors” to capture their second straight Medford Men’s slow pitch softball championship Wednesday night at Tufts Park. The Americans trailed throughout the game before tying the score at 3 in the bottom half of the 5th inning, setting up the dramatic finish. After turning an unassisted double play to retire the side in the top half of the 7th, Short stop Lucas Santos led off the inning with a line drive double down the left field line. Following an intentional walk, the stage was set for Playoff MVP Jimmy Albano, who laced a single past the second baseman to plate Santos and send the Americans into celebration mode.

The 3 game series between the two teams consisted of three 1-run games, as the Americans won the first 5-4, lost the second 11-10, and then coming from behind to win 4-3 in the deciding contest. The Ultimate Warriors scored 3 runs in the 1st inning Wednesday night, and would go on to hold that lead for much of the game. However, in the bottom of the 5th inning, with the Americans trailing 3-1, 1st baseman Kevin Malin stepped up and delivered a 2 out, 2 run single down the left field line to tie the game at 3. Despite a rough 1st inning, Americans pitcher Mike Albano stifled the Ultimate Warriors hitters throughout the night with help from a great defense that has drastically improved since the Americans first joined the league just four years ago in 2010.

The Americans entered the playoffs as the #2 overall seed after sporting a respectable 14-6 regular season record. They swept their first series before dropping the 1st of three games in the Semi-finals before buckling down and winning the next 2 closely contested games against a tough “Daly Boggs” team. The Americans were able to complete their goal of a “repeat” by beating the Ultimate Warriors in the finals, a team that seemingly had the Americans number after beating them twice in the regular season. Despite a couple of disappointing seasons in 2011 and 2012, coach Ryan Burgoyne, who pitched a remarkable shutout in his lone playoff appearance during this year’s title run, appears to have the team on the right path as they show no signs of regression going forward. The Americans figure to have a target on their back as they enter the 2015 season with their sights set on a 3rd straight title.

– Submitted by Ryan Burgoyne