The outcome was a very impressive three game sweep by the gritty Sidewalk bunch. Although they finished in second place, many league observers felt that it would be the third place finishers, Seapoint Restaurant, who would be the team doing the sweeping at series end.

The Sidewalk Café will now play the winner of the Sam Moran Club vs Olde Time Hardware series. Moran club currently holds a one game lead with the series continuing tonight (Monday).

Below is a game by game summary of the three game series played between Seapoint Restaurant and the Sidewalk Cafe.
GAME 1 Seapoint vs Sidewalk Cafe
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Seapoint had the game in control as they built a comfortable six-run lead behind the clutch hitting of Brian Ahern (2 triples, 4 RBI). But the Sidewalk Café didn’t give up as they began a comeback that may be noted as the single moment where the momentum and the series may have changed hands.

After scratching out two runs in the fifth to cut the deficit to four runs, outfielder Pat Egan hit a three run home run to deep center in the sixth that took the wind out of the sails for Seapoint. The boys in green then rallied for three more runs to take the lead and the game away from the Seapointers (9-7).

GAME 2 Seapoint vs Sidewalk Cafe
Entering the top of the sixth inning and trailing by two runs, Sidewalk Café rallied for another comeback. With the bases loaded and two outs, the writer of this article cleared the bases with a triple to right center that gave the comeback kids a one run lead.

The one run didn’t hold up for long as the first four Seapoint batters of the inning singled on their way to a three-run inning. Trailing by two runs and down to their last out, Sidewalk Café managed to get the bases loaded for their game one hero Pat Egan. Could Pat come through in the clutch again? Egan’s single to right cleared the bases giving the boys in green a one run lead entering the last of the seventh.

After a lead off single by Brian Yanovitch, the Sidewalk defense tightened up and got the next three outs to take a two game lead in the series.

GAME 3 Seapoint vs Sidewalk Cafe
After complaining that the series should be delayed until Monday (to rejuvenate an arm I guess?), the players of Seapoint Restaurant made their way to the field for game three. Sidewalk Café was looking for a sweep as they scored a touchdown (7 runs) in their half of the first inning. Four of the runs were the courtesy of catcher Bob Sweeney’s grand slam home run.

The boys in green were up by ten runs before the Seapointers showed any sign of life as they managed to score six runs in three innings. It would not be enough as the early ten run lead held up and the series was over in three exciting games.

IN OTHER PLAYOFF ACTION
Olde Time Hardware eliminated the young and ever improving Molly Darcy team from the playoffs on Wednesday with a 14-7 win. The hardware boys will now face the Sam Moran Club in a best of three semi-final series.

STARS PUT ON SHOW
Last Wednesday evening, the current M Street all-stars played and eight inning game against former all-stars. Rich Linehan assembled and coached the team of stars which included: Mousey Anderson, Joey Ward, Tony Jiminez, Al Gambardello, Jack Farrell, Rich Linehan, Jack Feeney, Brian Feeney, Billy Curley, Bobby Lero, John McGrath, Bill Elliott, and Bob Tyler.

During the weeks leading to the game, coach Linehan made a bold statement saying “you better have your best players, because your going to need them.” That statement held true as the former stars played well throughout the game showing current stars and the packed house that they still have what it takes to play the game of softball.

But the current stars had the advantage in pitcher John Gregorio. His awesome curveball and blazing fastball kept the former stars off balance for the first five innings. Gregorio then got some run support when Ronny Gurley and Tommy Dickey hit back-to-back home runs. The current stars would never look back as they pulled ahead by five and went on to win 7-2.

The former stars were led by Bob Miller’s hitting (2-3, 2 runs), John McGrath’s power pitching, and Mousey Anderson and Joey Ward’s outstanding defense in the outfield.

After the game, the talk centered around the possibility of these former stars joining the league as a team next year. If so, it would add another great team of talented players to a league that is already on it’s way up.

IS IT OVER?
As the all-star game concluded and the remaining fans were making their way home Wednesday night, Representative Jack Hart pulled up in a car and asked, “Is it over?” Jack, who played center field for the three-time champion L Street Tavern, was doing his job at a community meeting and missed the entire game. Wait till next year.

WHAT A COMEBACK
On Tuesday evening, Molly Darcy’s found themselves down to their last out and trailing the Kelly Club by five runs. The winner of the game would claim fifth place and draw Olde Time Hardware in the first round of the playoffs. The loser would play third seeded Seapoint Restaurant.

With the bases loaded and a 3-1 count to the batter, pitcher Joey DeGrandis couldn’t find the strike zone as a walk forced the runner in from third base and cut the lead to four runs.

The pressure was still on Molly’s as the Kelly Club led by a comfortable four runs. But Molly’s shortstop, Steve Morrill quickly changed all of that when he whacked a doubled to left-center clearing the bases and making it a one run game. The tables were now turning and Molly’s most feared hitter Brian Linehan was standing at the plate.

After fouling off two strikes, Brian laced a single to left tying the game at ten, and setting off a tremendous celebration on the Molly bench. The Kelly Club then managed to get the third out but their lead was blown.