Sep 17, 2009 - Reilly Cup Round 1
[you submit it, we'll print it]

9:40pm - Granny O'Shea's versus Mers Pub - 60ft field

Mers continued its hot streak winning it's fifth game in a row by defeating Granny O'Shea's in the first round of the tournament by the score of 18-11. Mers started really strong putting six runs across home plate to take a first inning lead of 6-3. The next three innings saw those same Mers bats go cold with no runs while allowing Grannys to come within one run. However those bats woke up again and by the final inning Mers had put the game out of Granny's reach. Rookie Ron Paolo continues to be the team leader at the plate going four for five along with four runs batted in. Mike Magro, who has returned to his perennial lead-off production, went three for five along with four RBIs. Jack DeBobes and Bill Sutherland also went three for five continuing their superior hitting too. John Longo, Jim Fileccia, Tom Vella and Kevin Brosnan were all two for four. Joe Fanning was two for two with three walks while pitching a good consistent game again. Even though the Mers bats came through one more time it was the Mers defense that clearly earned the victory. The team turned a season high four double plays which single handily killed Granny's chances of winning. Tom Brusca was just short of brilliant at third base making a number of outstanding plays and keying two of the double plays. George Cohan, Mers long time team leader and ironman, was flawless at shortstop not only handling all ground balls near him but making a couple of real nice plays going back on some Texas league pop-ups. Joe Girimonte and Jim Fileccia handled their second and first base positions to perfection with Girimonte continuing to show he is the best second baseman in the league by quickly and perfectly turning each double play. The outfield play of DeBobes, Sutherland, Paolo, and Magro was also flawless with Paolo making a fabulous diving catch on a line drive and Magro gliding back in right to end the game with a strong over the shoulder catch. Mers plays Moby's next and it should be a great game between two teams that not only respect, but like, each other.