The East Boston Knights are back in action in the Yawkey League of Boston. Off to their best start in team history the Knights (3-0) opened up action vs the Revere Rockies as they started the season on a 5 game road trip. The Knights gave the ball to ace Jeff Allison and he did not disappoint. Jeff was solid thru 5 innings picking up the win before giving way to Jon Shepard who earned the 2 inning save defeating their rivals 5 to 2. Mikey Oliveria and Marty Dunlap had great days offensively leading the charge for EBK. The Knights continued their road trip down to Braintree High to face the A’s. Max Ockner was brilliant on his way to his first victory of the season cutting through the pesky A’s line-up. Kenny Luongo and Marty Dunlap were the offensive heros for the hometown team helping the Knights earn a 7 to 2 victory. The Knights capped the week off in Dorchester vs the Savin Hill Dodgers. Down 3 to 2 in the 7th inning the Knights plated 5 runs to steal a victory from the Dodgers. Marty Dunlap continued to stay hot getting the game winning RBI on a bases loaded opposite field single to take a 4 to 3 lead. Knights win 7 to 3. Knights Manager Eric Bellavia said “It’s been a great start to our season, the guys are fired up and ready to make a run at this thing this year. One game at a time, one win at a time. We have a very focused group.” The Knights look to continue their hot start traveling to Waltham Wednesday to face off against the hated Yankees.
Game recaps:
The Knights and Rockies open up their seasons in the YBL as Jeff Allison faced off against Alex Wong at Revere High. The Rockies took a quick lead as Chris Santosuosso hits a home run to take a 1 – 0 lead. The Knights plated 3 runs in the 4th inning to take a 3 – 1 lead they would never relinquish. The Rockies made things interesting adding a run in the bottom of the frame to cut the lead to 1. Mike Oliveria provided some insurance in the 6th with a double that led to 2 runs and gave the Knights all the cushion they needed. Allison picks up the win and Shepard earns the 2 inning save striking out 4 of the 7 batters he faced. Dunlap and Oliveria had 2 hits apiece for EBK and Foote of Revere had 3 hits.
EBK and ATBC faced off in Braintree on a chilly night as “Everyday” Max Ockner faced off against Trevor Derochea. The Knights got to DeRochea in the 3rd for 2 runs capped by a Marty Dunlap single and a dropped towering fly ball off the bat of Kenny “Chestzilla” Luongo to RF. The Knights then plated 4 more runs in the next 2 frames to take a 6 – 0 lead. Ockner pitched well for the Knights as he struck out 9 A’s and only allowed 3 hits thru 6 innings of work. The A’s scored 2 in the bottom of the 5th to make things interesting but the Knights were able to hold off ATBC in the end. Marty Dunlap stays hot adding 2 more hits.
EBK continues their 5 game road trip to open the season this time traveling to McConnell Park to face off against the Dodgers. Jon Shepard took the ball for the Knights going 4 innings allowing 3 runs (2 earned) while striking out 8. Kyle “Moose” Breidenstine pitched a gem for the Dodgers thru 6 innings. EBK was trailing 3 to 2 heading into the top of the 7th and plated 5 runs to escape McConnell with the victory. The Knights batted around in the 7th capped off by a Kenny Polanco 2 run double. Knights pitchers combined for 15 K’s on the Knight.
Kenny Luongo stays hot adding another 3 hits and is now batting .571 on the season with 3 RBI. Unfortunately for EBK that’s where his line for the season will be frozen. Kenny is going for elbow surgery Tuesday and will be out for the season. Kenny is the heart and soul of this team and is loved by ALL of his teammates. Good luck Kenny!!!
Upcoming games:
Wednesday, May 20th vs the Waltham Yankees at Nipper Field in Waltham at 8PM
Tuesday, May 26th vs the Malden Maddogs at Maplewood Park in Malden at 8PM
As always you can follow the Knights at:
www.eastbostonknights.com
www.yawkeybaseball.com
www.facebook.com/knightsbaseballclub