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In Successive Playoff Rounds, Red Sox Sweep the Defending Champion Framingham Orioles and the Triboro Cubs to Take MetroWest ABL Crown NEWTON, Mass. Sept. 20, 2000 -- On Sunday, Sept. 17, the Newton Red Sox swept the Triboro Cubs to win the MetroWest Adult Baseball League (ABL) championship in the team's first season in the league. In a doubleheader at Milford Town Park, the Red Sox beat the Cubs 9-8 and 5-2 to take the crown in the first two games of a best of three series. In the American division championship series the previous weekend, the Red Sox similarly swept the defending MetroWest ABL-champion Framingham Orioles in a doubleheader in Framingham. The games were defensive struggles that ended in Red Sox victories by scores of 2-1 and 3-2. Both games were "nail-biters" that were decided in the last inning. In the league championship series, the Red Sox overcame an 8-0 deficit in the second inning of the first game to mount an exciting comeback and win 9-8. After the second inning, Red Sox bats could not be silenced as they methodically spread hits around the field and scored runs in each of 3 innings to ultimately prevail. Right fielder Brendan Mahoney had a two-out, bases-loaded triple in the third inning and a key double in the decisive sixth inning. Catcher Mark Hauglie drove in the tying runs in the sixth with a double to right and then scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Paul Lamoureux. Reliever Ed McGuire entered game one in the second inning and got the win with nearly flawless pitching that held the Cubs scoreless over four innings. Closer Bryce Dietrich slammed the door in the final inning to get the save. In the second game of the championship series, the Red Sox jumped out to a 5-0 lead and played solid defense to claim a 5-2 victory. Glen Butkus had a stellar outing and went the distance in game two to get the championship win. "I couldn't be more pleased by the performance of our team all year and particularly in the playoffs," said Newton Red Sox team captain Kevin Marden, Sr. "It's been a lot of fun playing with this group of guys all season, not to mention extremely satisfying to win the league in our first season. In the playoffs I was especially proud of the way we hung in there against two very talented teams in the Orioles and Cubs. Whether in a defensive struggle or in a comeback situation, these guys answered the call." Added Marden, "My only regret this season is that we were unable to play the Yankees, the team from which many of this year's Red Sox team were acquired. As both of our regular season games were rained out, and the Yankees weren't able to make it to the second round of the playoffs, we weren't able to lock horns with this division rival. I suppose it gives us something to look forward to next year." |
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