Knights Sweep Tribe; Punch Ticket to RRBL Finals

For the 3rd consecutive year the Knights will be playing into October for a chance to win a championship. In fact the Knights have a chance to be the first team in RRBL history to accomplish the feat of a threepeat. After sweeping the Beverly Indians 2 games to none the Knights have now won a RRBL record 10 consecutive playoff games and have captured their 3rd straight Fenway Conference Championship. Once again pitching was the key as Justin Wojcik and Branden Eaton combined for 14 innings of work allowing only 1 earned run on 6 hits. “As always pitching is key to any series but these 2 guys have been special, dominant.” Said GM Eric Bellavia.  The Knights have now won 16 out of their last 17 and are facing the only team to beat them in that span, the Medford Titans.  This is a rematch of last year’s series featuring the last 2 teams to win the championship in the last 3 years and will be 4 after this series.

Fenway Conference Finals recaps:

9/16/2013

Malden, MA – Round two of the playoffs began on a chilly note as the temperatures dipped into the 60’s for the first pitch. The Knights faced off against the division rival Indians for the first time since thumping them 17-5 on the way to securing the division title. The Indians sent Mark Infurna to the hill while the Knights matched aces sending Branden Eaton (CG SHO; 7IP, 7K, 2H, 2BB) to the mound.

The Knights had uncharacteristically slow start leaving runners stranded in the first four innings. The Knights had their best opportunity during that stretch when John Scull (3-3; RBI) lead off the fourth with a hit and was moved over to second with a Aren Eaton (0-2; SacB, 2K) bunt. Branden Eaton (0-2; 2K) battled back from a 0-2 count, reached first after Scull attempted to steal home and the Indians were called for catchers interference. With the bases loaded and one out, Jose Paulino (0-4; 2K) lined into a double play ending the threat.

The scoring began in the 5th when the Knights started out with consecutive walks by Geoff Harris (0-2; 2BB, 2SB, R, K) and Johan Villlalona (2-2; 2BB, R).  Eduardo Colmenares laid down a sacrifice bunt, the Indians pitcher misplayed the ball allowing him to reach and a run to score.  Scull knocked in the second run with an infield single to first with the bases loaded.  With the bases still loaded the next three Knights struck out ending the threat but not before doing as much damage as they would need to seal the victory.

Eaton would allow just one more hit in the 7th, his second of the game.  The game would end on a 1-6-3 double play started by the pitcher, Eaton, who snagged a hard grounder up the middle.  This 2-0 win is the 9th straight playoff game won by the Knights and puts them one game closer to the RRBL Championship.

9/18/2013

Malden, MA – On an unseasonably warm evening in Malden, MA The East Boston Knights took to the field vs the Beverly Indians for a chance to sweep the Fenway Conference Finals and return to the RRBL Finals for a 3rd consecutive season. Taking the mound for the Knights was Justin Wojcik looking to stay undefeated on the season and take the Knights to the Finals. The Knights scored early plating 2 in the top of the first on a double by Jared Kell scoring Jose Paulino and Geoff Harris. The Indians held the Knights in check as Justin Wojcik worked his magic on the mound dazzling the Indians with a barrage of change-up that left the tribe shaking their heads.

The Indians cut the lead to 2 to 1 on a walk and a steal and a pass ball but that would be as close as the Indians would come. The Knights scored 3 in the 6th to make it 5 to 1 and scored another run in the 7th on a Geoff Harris triple to make it 6 to 1 Knights. The Indians scored 2 in the last of the 7th but in the end came up short. Offensively for the Knights Geoff Harris lead the charge (3 – 4, 2B, 3B, 1R, 1SB and 2 RBI) Knights win 6 to 3 and punch their ticket to the RRBL finals where the Medford Titans await them for a rematch of last years final.

As always you can follow the Knights on their website, facebook or twitter.

www.ebknights.com

www.twitter.com/ebknights

www.facebook.com/groups/ebknights

RRBL Finals Schedule:

Game 1: Tuesday, September 24th at Maplewood at Malden Catholic. 8:15 start

Game 2: Friday, September 27th at Maplewood at Malden Catholic. 8:15 start

Game 3: Wednesday, October 2nd at Maplewood at Malden Catholic. 8:15 start

Game 4: Friday, October 4th at Maplewood at Malden Catholic. 8:15 start (if necessary)

Game 5: Sunday, October 6th at Maplewood at Malden Catholic. 8:15 start (if necessary)

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