NEAA Dodgers Ready to Defend Title

The NEAA Senior Dodgers (21u) opened defense of their Lou Tompkins All-Star Championship by thumping both Acton and Winthrop this weekend. The Dodgers opened in Acton and handed them a sound 7-1 loss. Greg Bilikas pitched 6 innings allowing only one hit and one walk. His pitching dominance was backed with rock solid defense and ample offense. The Dodgers got on the board in the 2nd inning when Nick Iudiciani walked and was promptly doubled to third on a rope hit by Vin Lopi. Bobby Mello then grounded out scoring Iudiciani and it was 1-0 Dodgers. The Dodgers added two more in the 3rd when Rick Martignetti reached on an error and was singled to 3rd by Ryan Carvalho. After Carvalho stole 2nd Nick Iudiciani drove them both home with a single to right to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. The Dodgers broke it open in the top of the 7th when Mike Martignetti doubled and was driven home by a Vin Lopi single. After Mello singled both moved up on a wild pitch and Jack Ditomassi singled them home. Ryan Colbert pitched the 7th and the Dodgers were 1-0.

Next up was the team from Winthrop. This games was over as soon as it began. With the Dodgers leading 1-0 in the top of the 1st and the bases loaded with two out Greg Bilikas blasted a 380 foot drive that cleared the bases and gave the Dodgers a 4-0 lead. That was more than enough for Vin Lopi as the flame throwing right hander mowed down the Winthrop team allowing only one hit in three shutout innings. The Dodgers never stopped scoring as they registered a 15-0 slaughter rule 5 inning victory. Nick Iudiciani added 3 more rbi as he continues his torrid hitting pace. The Dodgers got extra-base hits from Bilikas, Mike Mart, Rick Mart and  Ryan Carvalho. Bob Mello was also 2 for 3. After Lopi’s three innings Ryan Colbert had a 1-2-3 4th inning and Mike Mart cleaned up by striking out 2 of the 3 men he faced in the 5th inning.