The East Boston Knights continue to fight a losing battle against Mother Nature but in between that battle they are winning the war on the field. The YBL team stands at 6 – 6 and in a first place tie with division rival South Boston Saints whom they face twice this upcoming week. The YBL Knights 2 wins this week vaulted them into a tie for the division lead and puts them in control of their own destiny playing 3 division games this week and giving them a chance to take control of the division. The RRBL Knights have now won 6 straight games and sit tied atop their division at 9 -3 with the Beverly Indians. The RRBL Knights winning streak has given the team confidence in all aspects of the game. “We have been strong through this stretch with pitching, defense and our bats. We have gotten back that confidence this team is used to having at the right time and hope to keep it going and finish the second half of this season strong. “Said Manager Tim Antonellis. “We are happy with the job that our 2nd year manager has done especially with the player turnover he has had to deal with. I feel like this team is as strong as our 2 championship teams and expect that we will be right there competing for a 3rd championship this season” Said GM Eric Bellavia. The RRBL Knights have re-acquired first baseman Omar Ortiz and he has added veteran leadership with his presence. “Omar was available and we know what he brings to this team. When I found out he was available I called the Braves to work out a deal to bring him back. It has worked out perfectly for us” said GM Eric Bellavia. The RRBL Knights will be off for 2 weeks and will be back in action July 14th against the Beverly Indians for a first place showdown. The YBL Knights have received word from the league that Branden Eaton, Kenny Luongo and Wilson Mercado have been selected to represent the Knights in the EMass All Star Tournament. YBL GAME RECAPS:
June 25
The Knights and Minutemen faced off on a hot and steamy evening at Ronan Park for the first of 2 games between the clubs this season. The Knights sent Sean Hannon to the bump for the home town team and he did not disappoint. Hannon went 5 innings allowing 1 run (unearned) capturing his first win of the season. Kenny Luongo pitched the 6th and 7th striking out the side in the 7th to close out the game for the Knights.
The Knights trailing 1 – 0 in the 4th inning exploded for 5 runs in the frame capped off by a Brad Tardungo double laced to left-centerfield to drive in 2. Jose Paulino, Kenny Polonco and Wilson Mercado all had 2 hits for the Knights as they went on to win 7 – 4.
July 1
The Knights traveled to Brandeis for a home game vs. the Brighton Black Sox. Taking the ball for the Knights was Kenny Luongo. Luongo went 5 strong allowing 4 runs, 2 earned. The Black Sox took advantage of some mistakes by the Knights defense to score 3 runs in the top of the second to take a 3 – 1 lead. The Knights fought back scoring 2 in the bottom of the 2nd on a Brad Tardugno single to left center field. The Black Sox would tie things up in the 5th and Corey Laliberte would take over for Luongo in the 6th inning. Laliberte was solid especially in the top of the 7th with the bases loaded striking out pinch hitter Melo to end the inning. Ace DiNapoli would lead off the bottom of the 7th dropping a perfect bunt down the 3rd base line to give the Knights a runner one 1st with no out. Kenny Polanco would draw a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd, setting the stage for Brad Tardugno to single home the winning run in walk off
Next up for the YBL Knights: Wednesday, July 3rd vs the Brighton Minutemen at Ronan Park at 7:30 Sunday, July 7th vs the South Boston Saints at Brandeis University at 5pm Sunday, July 7th vs the McKay Club Beacon at Brandeis University at 8pm Monday, July 8th vs the South Boston Saints at East Boston Stadium at 8pm RRBL recaps:
June 30
The Knights continue their surge in the standings with a twin-bill against the struggling Gators. Game one saw Sean Perkins (7IP, 4K, 6H, 3BB) make his first start for the RRBL Knights. Perkins worked through the first three innings efficiently facing only 9 batters with help from his defense as they threw out one runner and turned a double play to cut down the 2 hits that were given up. The Knights threatened early with the bases loaded in the first inning after walks by Jose Paulino (1-1; 2BB, RBI, SB) and Geoff Harris (1-3; RBI) with a Eduardo Colmenares (2-2; 2RBI, 2SB, HBP) single in between. Aiden Freeburg (0-2; BB) grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Gators put two across in the fourth with a lead off walk followed by a double and a single. Perkins would retire the next two batters and cruise the rest of the game. The Knights pushed across their first run in the third with Pat Donohoe (1-1) and Paulino singles. The real damage came in the fifth when Colmenares, the lead vote-getter fot the All Star Game, singled in Harris and Paulino, stole second and third base, then scored on an Omar Ortiz Single. The Gators threatened in the seventh inning with men on second and third but Perkins induced a short pop fly to the third baseman and a ground ball to short to end the game. Knights win 5 – 2. 6/30/13 Lawrence, MA – Game two of the twin-bill saw recent high school graduate Pat Donohoe (5.2IP; 3K, 5H, BB) get his first Knights start. Donohoe let up no hits through 4 innings before getting into trouble in the fifth inning. After giving up a single and a fielder’s choice that cut down the lead runner, Donohoe fell behind in the count and let up a two-run home run. He would strike out the next two batters to get out of the inning. Justin Wojcik (0-2; 3BB, R) was the first Knight to cross home after walking in the second inning and scoring on an Omar Ortiz (1-4; HBP, 2RBI) single. Geoff Harris (2-4; 2B, BB) would score the next two run after singling and doubling in the third and 7th inning. Donohoe got into trouble in the fifth inning with three straight hits scoring the go-ahead run. Dan Moran (.1IP; 0H) would stop the bleeding getting a groundout to short ending the inning. Colmenares (W; 2IP, 2K, 0H) and Jarret Kell (S; 1IP; 2K) would hold the Gators hitless in the last three innings allowing the Knights to strike back.
Down to their last out in the ninth inning, Jarrett Kell (0-4; R, SB) stole second and was knocked in by Ortiz. After a John Scull (1-3; BB, RBI, 2K) single, Ortiz would go on to score to take a two run lead. Knights win 5 – 3. Next up for the RRBL Knights: Sunday, July 14th vs the Beverly Indians at Gordon College at 4pm
Player Profile: Player: Branden Eaton Position: Pitcher Throws: Right Height: 6’3” Weight: 210 Hometown: Lowell, Massachusetts High School: Greater Lowell Vocational College: Bunker Hill Community College Favorite Color: EBK Blue and Gold Claim to fame: Likes to leap from parking meters Joined the team in 2010 for the 2011 season….owns a lifetime 14 – 6 record with 124 K’s in 109 innings with a 1.73 ERA in YBL…..18 – 2 with a 1.53 ERA in RRBL lifetime…represented the Knights in the Emass All Star Tournament in 2012 and named to the same team in 2013…pitched in the YBL all-star game in 2012 at Fenway Park…Back to back champion in the RRBL….2011 RRBL finals MVP pitching both ends of a double header to clinch championship….2011 & 2012 RRBL all-star.