In the bottom of the sixth inning, and what seemed like a safe 16-4 lead, Everett & Sons insurance coach Fran LoPresti still had an uneasy feeling.
It was at that point that Sadie's Saloon exploded for 17 runs to take a 21-16 lead heading into the seventh and final frame. Not to be outdone, Everett came back with 17 of its own to earn a wild 33-22 victory and their second A Division title in the last three years, winning the series 4-2 Tuesday night at Cornelia Warren Field.
Everett started the game with 12 runs in the top of the first inning, and the game coasted until Sadie's big uprising in the bottom of the sixth.
Jeff Delpidio crushed a long grand slam for Sadie's as it batted through the lineup twice to gain momentum and what seemed like a Game 7 showdown.
Starting the seventh with its top hitters, Everett came right back, sending 21 batters to the plate to regain the lead and ultimately the series victory.
Tom Keane belted a home run in the seventh and series MVP Craig Marshall had two key hits to lead Everett. After the game LoPresti gave credit to Sadie's for hanging tough.
``They didn't give up,'' he said. ``That inning was as crazy as anything I have ever seen. We did not want to have to play a winner-take-all game, and our hitters came through at the right time. It will be a nice winter.''
Everett ended the season with an overall record of 23-3. Championship and runnerup trophies were awarded, as were trophies for MVP Marshall and regular season batting champ Jodi McGill of Everett. McGill batted .830 and continued with his hot hitting all the way through the playoffs, including a home run in the final game.
After watching his team lose its 3-1 series lead, Coach Carl Mills knew something had to change in the decisive Game 7. A seesaw battle held up until Systems Analysis Services scored seven runs in the top of the seventh and pulled away for a 21-10 victory and the B Division championship in the Waltham Adult Softball League Wednesday night at Cornelia Warren Field.
Systems Analysis Services, realigned its defense - inserting Jay Morris at pitcher and Phil Ranucci at second base - and kept Shoppers Cafe II away form the big inning that was key to their Games 5 and 6 wins. Series MVP Mike Waters had three hits and contributed solid defense from his shortstop position, and pitcher Morris kept the big Shoppers bats at bay throughout to spur Systems to the title.
After the game Mills, talked about needing to shake things up a bit.
``We needed a little change after losing the past couple of nights. Things worked out well,'' a satisfied Mills said after the game.
Systems the second seed, behind Shoppers in the B Division sent Coach Mills' proud son CJ to center stage to accept the championship trophy as the 2008 season concluded. Trophies were also awarded to Shoppers II for the regular season title and playoff runner up, and B division batting leader Tim McMahon who averaged a solid .694.
Waltham Connie Mack
Waltham Connie Mack fall baseball traveled to Wayland Sunday for a doubleheader.
In the first game, Roy Deroschers took the mound and pitched fairly well, giving up six hits, two walks, and four runs (2 unearned) while striking out 12 as Waltham lost, 4-3.
In the second game, Steve Falzone got the start and pitched five, giving up three hits, five walks and a run, while striking out four.
Down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Waltham finally got things going when Phil Terassi led off with a double and scored on a RBI single by Bobby Sabatino, who was thrown out trying to take the extra base. Nick Cranmer then singled, stole second and scored when A.J. Duarte lined a single up the middle to win it for Waltham, 2-1.
Duarte also pitched one1 scoreless inning and Cranmer ended up getting the win, pitching the seventh.
Waltham will play Stoneham (2) on Saturday and Gloucester (2) on Sunday.
