Andre Chiefs

Medford, MA- The Testa Corp. Bombers remained red hot and raised their record to 10-3-1, moving into sole possession of second place, with a 4-0 shutout win over the Chiefs at Tufts University on Monday night. It was the second time in as many nights that the Bombers have beaten the Chiefs and the third consecutive time this season. With the loss the Chiefs fall to 7-6-3.

It was obvious early on that Chiefs ace Keith Forbes was not feeling his physical best and the Bombers took advantage. Forbes went just three innings, which was his shortest stint of the season.

The Chiefs offense remained ice cold despite the warm weather, and could not capitalize on eight walks issued by Bombers pitching. The duo of lefty James Palmer (Franklin Pierce) and righty Danny Gomez (Western Oklahoma) surrendered just two hits, a third inning Justin Crisafulli double and a sixth inning Matt Lawlor single.

Starters Palmer and Forbes matched zeros for the first two innings before the Bombers broke through with three third inning runs. Eric Pelletier led off with a walk and Jay Defillipo reached on an infield single that Forbes deflected and was unabled to be handled by shortstop Nate Leva. Forbes then struck out Pete John and got Bob Barrett to fly to left to leave two runners on with two outs. Lefty Jonathan Pollard then drilled a long double to left scoring both Pelletier and Defillipo for a 2-0 Bombers lead. Mike Navarro followed with a line single to center that scored Pollard and increased the lead to 3-0. Forbes averted further trouble when he got Mark Adessa to fly out.

Paul Koslowski replaced Forbes to start the fourth and recorded two strikeouts in the inning. The Bombers reached Koslowski for a run, and a 4-0 lead in the fifth, when John walked, Barrett was hit by a pitch, a double steal and a sacrifice fly from Navarro.

Connor Bishop, making his 16th career appearance for the Chiefs and his first this season, worked a scoreless sixth and Joe Martini did the same for the club in seventh.

The Chiefs had runners on base in every inning but the third, but could not score. The biggest threat came in the bottom of the seventh when Gomez, who came on for Palmer in the sixth, issued three walks to load the bases with two away. He kept the shutout intact when he struck out Leva swinging to end the game.

It does not get any easier for the Chiefs tonight (Tuesday) when the first place Cassell Club (11-1-1) pay a visit to Tufts University at 6:00 PM. The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie last Thursday night. Southpaw Dylan Ellis (Gloucester, MA/Merrimack) is the expected starter for the Chiefs.

Following Tuesday's game, the Chiefs will enjoy the traditional ICL Fourth of July mid season break. They will return to action next Sunday (July 6) when they travel to Walsh Field in Wakefield to meet the Merchants at 5:30 PM.