Team Hofbrau tightened its grip on Quincy Merchant League softball, winning its 4th consecutive title with yet another dramatic come-from-behind victory, 8-7 over arch rival Malachy's. Hoffy took the best-of-seven series 4-1.
Malachy's started off strong with two runs in the top of the first off Hofbrau starter Steve Lannan. Hoffy quickly answered with a lead off home run from centerfielder Nelly Feliciano. First baseman Jim Dennis and second baseman Ramon followed with singles and were later driven in by outfielder Steve Yocco's line drive to center.
After Lannan shut down Malachy's in the top of the second, Hoffy added another run in the bottom of the second frame when DH Keith McCray tripled to left and scored on a fielder's choice by outfielder Dave Brolin.
The powerful Malachy's lineup exploded for five runs in the top of the third inning to retake the lead at 7-3. Crafty pitching from Malachy's starter exposed a lack of discipline from the Hoffy batters as the three time defending champs would only muster three hits over the next four innings. The side was retired in order in both the fifth and sixth innings, marking the first time all season that Hoffy had been held without a baserunner for two consecutive innings.
Hoffy ace Lannan was equal to the task, shutting down Big Green for the last four innings of the game.
Malachy's led 7-5 going into the bottom of the seventh. Hofbrau then saved its best comeback of the season for last. With one out, Brolin singled to right, bringing up the top of the lineup. Nelly reach on a fielder's choice. Dennis singled to center to put runners on the corners. Ramon then ripped a single to right center to score Nelly and make it 7-6. With two outs, runners on first and third and Hoffy slugger Scott "The Game" Logan coming to the plate, Malachy's played a hunch and intentionally walked Logan to load the bases for shortstop Bill Wysocki. Although Wysocki had been struggling at the plate earlier in the night, his longstanding penchant for delivering in the clutch came through as he drilled the second pitch he saw into the gap in left center scoring Dennis with the tying run and Ramon with the winning run.
The entire Hoffy team stormed the field in celebration before the QML Championship Trophy was brought over for its familiar annual photo session. It was another true team victory as every Hoffy batter reached safely at least once and stellar defense from Nelly, Tom Fratolillo, Ramon and catcher Greg Harper kept Malachy's at bay long enough for the comeback.
Jim Dennis turned in the greatest performance by a player-manager in the modern era. Pete Rose, Joe Torre, Frank Robinson, Hank Bauer? None of them won championships as player-managers. JD faced a daunting task in taking over for the beloved Hall of Fame Coach Murphy. Dennis quickly got the team to gel and play as a cohesive unit that never quit. Faced with the usual contenders in Big Times and Malachy's, plus solid newcomer Paddy Barrys, Hoffy won in a variety of ways enroute to the winningest season in league history.
As for the series Most Valuable Player, this was one of the toughest votes in the history of the team. Although there are many players who deserve it, the award ultimately goes to Glen Bosse. Bosse posted an other-worldly .769 batting average in the series, making only 3 outs and taking a team high five walks. If you polled the team and asked which stat Glenny would lead the team in for the series, walks would not make the top ten.
Including the post season, Hoffy is now 85-7 over the last three seasons, a .924 winning percentage.
As the champagne, Presidente and Dominican rum flowed, talk quickly turned to chasing a fifth consecutive title. Team Hoffy is well poised to do it with a number of veterans planning on returning and an impressive youth movement.
As a side note, although sidelined with yet another embarrasing late summer injury, Hoffy outfielder Joe Bosse, seen here dancing in celebration of another championship, was with the team in spirit during the playoff run.
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