2010 SEASON – GUTS,
GRIT AND A LOT OF HEART
The 2010 season for the McKay Club Beacons ended last night
at McConnell Park as the Yawkey League Champions of
2008 and 2009, the West Roxbury Bluefish, won the first round of the playoffs 3
games to 1. It was an exciting Game 4 as
Mike Barthel pitched another complete game, Drew Tambling hit his second homer
of the series, Jack Owens batted a homer shy of the cycle, Connor Reinfurt had
a 3-4 night, Bryan Curran went 2-4 with a double and Tom Michael also went 2-4
with 2 runs scored. On most nights, this
offensive performance is good enough to win. The 12 hits were the most recorded
by the Beacons in the series, but it was the defensive side of the ball that
came back to bite them. After an
errorless Game 1 that resulted in an exciting win, the McKay Club recorded 21
errors in the next 3 games – including 5 in Game 4. On the other hand, West
Roxbury made almost all their key plays on defense. A blast by Mike Barthel in the seventh inning
was caught in the deepest spot in right field by Pat Laffin. (Needless to say,
not much ‘laughin’ on the Beacon bench after that catch)
This series exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the
McKay Club. There is no doubt that this team will make additions and
adjustments to compete for the Yawkey League Championship next season. Thank you to our fans who supported us.
Notice to Players: Check this site periodically in the offseason
for team updates. Congratulations on a successful 2010 – you are a great team
and will be even better next year.
WEST ROXBURY 26 MCKAY CLUB 4
That was yesterday. It's in the past. This one started off promising with two home runs in the first inning by Drew Tambling and Bryan Curran, but it was all downhill from there. The Beacons weren't able to get the pitching under control and the Bluefish took advantage of it in a huge way. In addition to the pitching woes, there was en error committed at every field position - some were multiple - for 12 total errors.
McKay Club went from celebrating the best win of the season to suffering the most dreadful loss in a span of 24 hours. The good news is that this is a 1-1 series and it's now a best of 3 with the Beacons enjoying home field advantage.
NEXT GAME IS SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 7:00PM AT RONAN PARK, DORCHESTER
All Things Are Equal in the Post Season
The McKay Club Beacons are HEAVY underdogs in their best of 5 game series against the 2 time YBL Champion - West Roxbury Blue Fish. The Fish have been swimming on high water for 2008, 2009 and 2010. They have been a dominant pitching and defensive force in the league. They added huge bats and one of the best outfielders in YBL history this summer.
It is tough but sometimes easy to be an underdog. The Beacons have suffered that status for many years. In fact, their last play off victory was 6 years ago. The status was self imposed - the team could never find the "formula".
Things have changed for the McKay Club. They won five games in a row to sneak into the playoffs in 2009 & went down large to the Malden power-house three games in a row. 2010 was a better year. The UMass Boston contingent showed up late because they had bigger fish to fry. When all was said and done the Beacons amassed a 20-12-1 record - good for 2nd in the YAZ Division and a 7th seed in the playoffs.
Game One of the 2010 Championship Series looked like more of the same for the Beacons. “It was nice to make a visit in the show, but maybe we did not belong there." OHHH !!! That was so wrong! The Bluefish, behind the solid pitching of Chris Sandini took an early 4-1 lead. They added 1 more and all seemed lost with Big Game Mike Barthel on the bump.
The Beacons got close in the 5th by making the score 5-3. “Well, hey if we lose, it will not look that bad in the line score." OHHHH !! that was so very wrong! Sandini sat and the Beacons plated 4 in the top of the 7th to take the lead and hold on to JUST WIN, 7-5!
Lots need to be accomplished in this series, but no team can ever take what the McKay Club accomplished on August 12, 2010! One of the best games I have seen in my long 42 year baseball coaching career. One of the most emotional wins I can ever remember. A young, upstart team that never got any respect forced everyone in Boston amateur baseball to take notice for at least one night.
Game 2 of the series Friday, 7:30pm, Rogers Park in Brighton.
