Mathewson McCarthy
Braves sweep playoffs to win 'Major East' title

The Braves swept the playoffs to win the Mathewson McCarthy "Major East" championship. Members of the team, pictured from left, first row - Mike Keenehan; second row - Doug Murphy, Tom Frisicaro, Steve Zaprowski, Colin Greenway, Mike Losi; third row - Nate Helmick, Peter Moran, Steve Campanelli, Adam Desimone, Patrick Hann, Luke May; fourth row - coaches Howard Gordon, Chuck Frisicaro, Glen Kauffman and manager Wayne Fried.

The Braves (17-2-1) entered the playoffs as the top seed and swept the Marlins, 17-7, Red Sox, 4-2, and the Cardinals, 3-1, 13-5, for the Mathewson McCarthy "Major East" title.

The opening playoff win against the Marlins featured an offensive explosion by Braves' hitters Doug Murphy (single, double, triple), Steve Zaprowski (single, triple), Mike Keenahan, Peter Moran (home run), Luke May, Nate Helmick (two singles), Steve Campanelli, Colin Greenway, Patrick Hann and Tom Frisicaro (two singles). Keenehan pitched strongly, holding the Marlins to two runs over the first three innings.

The Marlins' Dan Davoli (single, double), Tyler Utz, Matt Mangone (two singles) and Joe Luzio (double) had hits.

In the second playoff game, the Braves were matched against the Red Sox, who were held in check by the Braves' pitching staff and solid defense. Keenehan pitched strongly, retiring the first nine Red Sox' hitters with five strikeouts. Zaprowski and Moran also pitched well, each allowing one run.

Braves' pitchers allowed only one walk, and the defense played perfectly with no errors. The Braves' offense was led by Doug Murphy (single, double, scored twice), Moran (single, double), Keenehan, Luke May (triple), Nate Helmick and Tom Frisicaro, who had hits.

The Red Sox's Tom Kline and Evan Poole (double) had hits. Kline pitched strongly, holding the Braves scoreless over the last three innings.

In the winners' bracket final, the Braves faced the Cardinals. The Braves' pitching and defense again were strong. To lead off the first inning, fly-ball outs in the outfield were made in succession by Moran, Steve Campanelli and Colin Greenway. After allowing Cardinals' leadoff hitter Austin Maciok to score, the Braves' defense and pitching duo of Zaprowski and Moran held the Cardinals scoreless.

The defense totaled 10 put outs with one error and the pitching staff held the Red Sox to two hits. The Braves' offense was again paced by Murphy (three singles) and Moran (two singles).

The Cardinals' Chris Wehner and Zach Otero (double) had hits and Kathleen Ruggerio drew two walks.

In the championship, the Braves again faced the Cardinals. The Braves' offense took over with hits by Zaprowski, Moran, May, Greenway, Mike Losi (double with bases loaded) and Patrick Hann. Losi's hit broke the game open for the Braves. Keenehan again pitched strongly, holding the Cardinals scoreless over the first three innings. The Cardinals' Wehner, Justin Beck and Trevor Miller (two singles) had hits.

For the playoffs, Keenehan posted a 1.33 ERA with 13 strikeouts over nine innings. Murphy went 8 for 10 with three extra base hits producing 11 runs. Moran batted .667 with 10 runs produced. Adam Desimone added defensive support throughout the playoffs.