UCSSL 2018 PLAYOFF RESULTS
60’s Divisions
Playoff Games for Week of August 20, 2018
Yogi's Boys 7, Awnings Galore 6
Yogi's Boys came back from the brink of elimination to defeat Awnings Galore 7-6 in the A Division quarterfinal one-game playoff.  Awnings' pitcher Tom Colandro shut down the potent Boys’ offense through 5 innings, but trailing 6-1 in the bottom of 6th, the Yogi bats came alive to score 4 runs, highlighted by Joe Massimino's bases-clearing triple which closed the deficit to 6-5.  In the bottom of the 7th with two outs, Mark Mariski (2H, 2R) tripled and was driven in by Geoff Polston's single.  Frank DeLuca (2H) then singled and Rick Wilson (2H) had the walk off hit to win the game.  Also contributing were Tom Straniero (2 for 2) and Anthony Santorelli with 2 hits.   For Awnings, Bruce Crawford (2R, 2B) was 3 for 3.  Danny Mendoza (R, RBI), Bobby Lorincz (RBI) and John Campanella (two run triple) added two hits each.
American Legion 10, Kilkenny House  1
Veteran Ace Harry Streep pitched a masterful game in winning this opening game of the A Division best of three playoff series.  The Legion was led offensively by Chris Paterek, Gene Antonucci and Ed Lubas all of whom had multiple hit and RBI games.  Jack Gulino, Ed Kushner and John Amato made several nice defensive plays in support of Streep.
DeBellis Associates 13, Avengers 7
The DeBellis boys came out swinging and didn’t stop in the opening game of this best of three semifinal B Division playoff series, scoring in 6 of the 7 innings.  Strong pitching by Bob Mancini and a stingy defense held the Avengers in check and stopped several potential rallies.  John  Miller continued his sizzling hot hitting going 4-4 and scoring 4 runs.  Richie Silva and Dennis Wilckens had 3 hits.  In the 4th inning the Avengers tied the score plating 6 runs until DA's Howard Walker launched a rocket onto Wood Avenue for a grand slam homer giving DeBellis the lead for good.  For the Avengers, Geno Raisley was 3 for 3, Sal Iannaconne and Richie Krov each 2 for 2, and Moe Fernandez added 2 hits.
Cranford VFW2 15, Creative Industries Too 10
Cranford VFW scored the max 6 runs in the opening two innings and never looked back, as they defeated Creative Too by a score of 15-10 in the opener of this best of three B Division playoff series.  VFW was led by George Merlo, Vic Trinidad, Bill Early and Ken Murray with three hits apiece.  Tom Rutkowski pitched masterfully holding Creative scoreless in innings 4 through 6 when VFW could only muster one run. 
Playoff Games for Week of August 27, 2018
Avengers 11, DeBellis Associates 5
The Avengers evened their best of three B Division series at 1-1 with an 11-5 win over DeBellis Associates using solid defense and timely hitting.  At the plate, Anthony Abbaleo was 3 for 3.  Adding a pair of hits each were Steve Falco, Moe Fernandez, Sal Iannaconne, Steve Landau, Ron Horinko and Tom Connolly.  Key Defensive plays by outfielders Leo DiGuilio and Bob Hoffman anchored the Avenger's defense.  For DeBellis, Rich Silva had 2 hits and 2 runs scored and Howard Walker added a triple.
Cranford VFW2 11, Creative Industries Too 7
Cranford VFW2 closed out their B Division semifinal series with an 11-7 victory over Creative Industries Too.   Dave Drechsel led the VFW attack with 2 home runs. Gerard Mc Dermott had 2 hits and 2 runs scored and Bill Early had three runs scored.  Dave Woodruff had a huge night going 3 for 3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs.  Tom Rutkowski pitched an outstanding game not allowing any runs over the first 3 innings and inducing a double play in the 6th inning with the bases loaded and nobody out, thwarting the Creative comeback bid. 
American Legion 10, Kilkenny House 9
Roselle American Legion swept their best of three semifinal series vs. A Division rival Kilkenny House in a one-run squeaker, 10-9.  The Legion built up a 7 run led going into the bottom of the seventh and held on for the win by stranding Kilkenny's tying and winning runs on base.  Legion pitcher Harry Streep hurled a solid game and was helped by a defense that turned five double plays.  Ralph Genova made several outstanding catches and throws in the outfield to support the defense.  Offensively, Jack Helfrich had a perfect three hit night and was joined by Ed Kushner, John Amato, Ray Pelesko and Jack Gulino, each having multiple hit nights.
Yogi's Boys 12, Liberty Lighting Group 1
Yogi's Boys took the opening game of their best of 3 A Division semifinal matchup by defeating Liberty Lighting Group 12-1.  Pitcher Gary Pence held the potent LLG bats to one unearned run.  The Boys' offense was led by Brian Williams (3 for 3, 2R), Dana Kimmel (3H, 2R) and Anthony Santorelli who hit a monster home run in the 3rd inning. 
Playoff Games for Week of September 9, 2018
Yogi's Boys 17, Liberty Lighting Group 12
After finishing the regular season on a 13-2 run, LLG lost their momentum and dropped both games in their best of three semifinal A division matchup with Yogi's Boys.  For Liberty, Don Miller stroked 4 hits in 4 at bats with a double, Rick Regenthal smoked 3 hits and bounced one over the fence for a ground rule double, and Andre Thomas ripped 3 hits including a double.  Mike Guatta punched out 3 hits with a double.  Rounding out the night, both Stan Lesniewski and Bernie Burkhardt collected 3 hits.  Yogi's Boys win the series 2-0 and advance to the A Division finals.
Avengers 1, DeBellis Associates 16
In the rubber game of the B Division best of three semifinal series, The Avengers roared back to nip DeBellis Associates at the finish line 17-16.  In the bottom of the 7th The Avengers sent 9 batters to the plate and plated six runs to capture the hard-fought victory.  The Avengers were led by Steve Falco who was 4 for 4.  Anthony Abbaleo, Geno Raisley and Joe Brown had 3 hits each.  Also adding a pair of hits each were Leo DiGuilio, Bob Hoffman, Sal Iannaconne, Ron Horinko and winning pitcher Alan Schachman.  In their final game of the 2018 campaign, the DeBellis boys provided a total team effort as every player on the roster got at least one hit.  A strong defensive effort kept the game close and stopped several potential rallies.  Howard Walker led the DeBellis offense with four hits including a big triple.  Dave McFall, Johnny Miller and Bruce Bilotti each had 3 hits.  Avengers win the series 2-1 and advance to the B Division finals.
Yogi's Boys 14, American Legion 4
In the opening game of best of three A Division Finals, the Legion took an early lead, but Yogi's Boys came back to win 14-4.  Yogi's had 6 players with two hits each to lead the offense.  Outstanding pitching by Gary Pence was backed up by solid defense.  Legion's offense was led by the hitting of Harry Streep, Jim McCullough and Gene Antonucci.  Also contributing multiple hit games were Jack Helfrich and John Amato.
Cranford VFW2 17, Avengers 11
Cranford VFW2 scored the 17-11 victory in the opening game of the best of three B Division Finals.  The game was close with the Avengers taking an 11-9 lead until VFW broke it open with an 8-run explosion in the bottom of the 6th.  The VFW offense was led by Gerard McDermott (4 for 4, 2R, 2RBI), Bill Hinkle (2 for 3, R, RBI), Gary Schaller (2 for 3, R, RBI), Dave Drechsel (3 for 4, 3R, RBI), Brian McDermott (2 for 3, 2R, RBI), and Dave Woodruff (2 for 3, R, 2RBI).  Avenger  hitting stars were Anthony Abbaleo, Geno Raisley, Leo DiGuilio (HR) and Joe Brown with 3 hits each.  Tom Connolly, Bob Hoffman and Teo Fernandez contributed 2 hits apiece on the night.
Yogi's Boys 17, American Legion 11
Yogi's Boys survived a quarterfinal one game play-in by one run and then stormed through the 60+ A Division playoffs to win another championship.  They completed the playoff sweep by defeating the American Legion 17-11 at Tremley Field.  The Legion captured an early lead with the hitting of Chris Paterek, John Amato, Ed Kushner and Gene Antonucci.  Yogi's pulled away, and thwarted Legion's attempts at a rally.  Yogi's offense was led by Mark Mariski (3H, 3R), Dennis Watson (2H, 2R) and Frank DeLuca (2H) who were all perfect at the plate.  Joe Massimino (2H, 3R) added a 2 run home run in the third inning.   Also contributing for the Legion were Jack Helfrich, Walt Serafyn and Jim McCullough.  Pitcher Harry Streep pitched a valiant game in support of the Legion.
Cranford VFW2 18,  Avengers 16
Cranford VFW2 completed a sweep of their 60+ B Division best of three Finals series over The Avengers by the score of 18-16.  This game was nip and tuck all the way as VFW overtook Avengers in the final innings to secure the victory.  The Avengers led 12-11 after 4 innings but were unable to keep the VFW bats in check late in the game.   An Avenger last inning rally ultimately came up short.  VFW was led at the plate by George Merlo (3 for 4, 2R, 2RBI), Gary Schaller (2 for 3, 2R, RBI), Charlie Wischusen (3 for 3), Bill Hinkle (2 for 4, 2RBI), Brian McDermott (2 for 3, RBI), Dave Woodruff (2 for 3), Joe Mitarotonda (3 for 3, 2RBI), Gerard McDermott (3 for 4, 2R), and Bill Early (2 for 4, HR, 2R, 3RBI).  For the Avengers Steve Falco and Geno Raisley led the way, both going 4 for 4 on the night.  Tom Connolly was 3 for 3.  Anthony Abbaleo, Bill Moore, Leo DiGuilio, Moe Fernandez, Steve Landau, Robert Maley and Rich Krov contributed 2 hits apiece.