GLOUCESTER - The N.W.O. came into Game 4 of the Magnolia Men's Softball League championship looking to do two things.
First, they were looking to bring back the offense that scored 35 runs in Games 1 and 2 of the series, but more importantly, they were looking to become the first Magnolia Softball League team to win three straight championships.
As it turned out, N.W.O. accomplished both of their goals with a 13-2 victory over C&H; yesterday at Burke Field.
N.W.O. took the best of five series 3-1, winning Games 1 and 2 by scores of 18-2 and 17-2 respectively before dropping Game 3, 2-1. The win gives the N.W.O. their sixth league championship overall.
"The hardest thing to do in sports is to three-peat, and we did it," N.W.O. manager and first baseman Mike Favazza said. "Every team played us tough all season, but we battled all year long and didn't take any games off."
N.W.O. opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning when Jody Curcuru doubled in Jamie Wall, who doubled earlier. N.W.O. got on the board again in the fourth when Brent Currier doubled in Curcuru (double). Favazza then tripled in Currier one batter later to make it 3-0. Joel Curcuru capped off the three-run inning with an RBI single scoring Favazza.
C&H; looked to claw back into the game with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Dean Babine singled in Andrew Madison (double) to make it 4-1. Aaron Williams came in to score for C&H; later in the inning on a double play.
However, N.W.O. made sure that C&H;'s momentum didn't last long by scoring two runs in the top of the fifth to make it 6-2. N.W.O. would add five more runs in the sixth and another two in the seventh to make it 13-2.
Jody Curcuru lead the N.W.O. offense with three hits, which were all doubles. Favazza and Jamie Wall both had two hits and a home run each. Nate Bertolino added two hits and made the defensive play of the day for N.W.O. when C&H;'s Adam Chin hit a ground ball between the third baseman and shortstop. The shortstop, Bertolino, ranged deep into the hole and bare-handed the grounder. He then made the throw to first base in time to record the out.
Phil Palmenteri and Andrew Madison led C&H; with three hits each.
Favazza said that he was very proud of the way his team played in the playoffs.
First, they were looking to bring back the offense that scored 35 runs in Games 1 and 2 of the series, but more importantly, they were looking to become the first Magnolia Softball League team to win three straight championships.
As it turned out, N.W.O. accomplished both of their goals with a 13-2 victory over C&H; yesterday at Burke Field.
N.W.O. took the best of five series 3-1, winning Games 1 and 2 by scores of 18-2 and 17-2 respectively before dropping Game 3, 2-1. The win gives the N.W.O. their sixth league championship overall.
"The hardest thing to do in sports is to three-peat, and we did it," N.W.O. manager and first baseman Mike Favazza said. "Every team played us tough all season, but we battled all year long and didn't take any games off."
N.W.O. opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning when Jody Curcuru doubled in Jamie Wall, who doubled earlier. N.W.O. got on the board again in the fourth when Brent Currier doubled in Curcuru (double). Favazza then tripled in Currier one batter later to make it 3-0. Joel Curcuru capped off the three-run inning with an RBI single scoring Favazza.
C&H; looked to claw back into the game with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Dean Babine singled in Andrew Madison (double) to make it 4-1. Aaron Williams came in to score for C&H; later in the inning on a double play.
However, N.W.O. made sure that C&H;'s momentum didn't last long by scoring two runs in the top of the fifth to make it 6-2. N.W.O. would add five more runs in the sixth and another two in the seventh to make it 13-2.
Jody Curcuru lead the N.W.O. offense with three hits, which were all doubles. Favazza and Jamie Wall both had two hits and a home run each. Nate Bertolino added two hits and made the defensive play of the day for N.W.O. when C&H;'s Adam Chin hit a ground ball between the third baseman and shortstop. The shortstop, Bertolino, ranged deep into the hole and bare-handed the grounder. He then made the throw to first base in time to record the out.
Phil Palmenteri and Andrew Madison led C&H; with three hits each.
Favazza said that he was very proud of the way his team played in the playoffs.
"We played well for the entire playoffs, except for last game when we pressed too much," Favazza said. "But once we played our game and attacked, everything worked out."
