by Chris Lima
Modsquad Reporter

Four years after the creation of the Modsquad Softball team, the "Boys in Purple" captured their first ever Championship Crown by defeating long time rival Jackson Lewis in a best of three series.

The Squad managed to beat Jackson Lewis twice, after failing to secure a win against them since 2008. Jackson Lewis managed to reel off seven consecutive wins (including knocking the Squad out of the 2009 playoffs) until last Friday night.

In the 5:45 game, the Squad started the game off with three quick runs thanks to a leadoff single by Chris Iannantuoni and a home run by short stop Nick DiFranza. After falling behind Jackson Lewis, the Modsquad bats came alive in the fifth.

Todd DIas led off the fifth with a triple, and once all was said and done, the Squad sent ten hitters to the plate and collected five runs on seven hits. In the sixth inning, the team rallied for two more runs, putting them comfortably ahead for the remainder of the first game.

Iannantuoni, DiFranza, Anderson, and Big Joel paved the way offensively for the Modsquad, combinging for eleven hits (five extra bases), eight runs, and eight runs batted in. Modsquad second baseman Frank Vitale added two base hits of his own, as the team crushed their way to victory.

In the second (and deciding) game of the Championship Series, the Modsquad again got things going early; the offense tallied seven runs off eight hits in the first two innings. After getting shut out over the next three innings, the Modsquad desperately needed to add some more runs if they wanted to secure the win.

Modsquad catcher Kyle Bobek started off the bottom of the sixth with a single and eventually came around to score on a single by Iannantuoni. After two sac flies by Chris Lima and Nick DiFranza, Anderson strolled to the plate for one of the more comical at bats of the season.

Anderson singled up the middle and advanced to second after a poor throw from the outfield missed the cut off man. Seeing that no one was covering third, Anderson sprinted to the unoccupied base, only to have the third baseman overthrow the pitcher who was attempting to rush over and cover the base. The Squad's fourth outfielder managed to trot on home to score the most important run of the Modsquad season.

In the top half of the seventh inning, Jackson Lewis managed to load the bases. A sharp ground ball past a diving Eric Klein managaged to elude Lima in the outfield, allowing four runs to score. Jackson Lewis managed to pull within one run.

After settling the team down, Joel was able to get the last batter to hit a lazy fly ball to Lima in left, and after the ball settled into his glove, the celebration began.

Friday's game was filled with memories that will last a lifetime. In addition to winning their first championship, Skipper Alan Brogdon and his wife welcomed their second child into the world; Alice-Ann Hope Brogdon. The Modsquad also got to meet a remarkable young man named Sam, Dr. Scott Bern's son. Sam and the Berns clan managed to drive down from Boston to make it back in time for the first game, and despite wearing Red Sox gear, managed to bring the Squad a little bit of luck that they sorely needed.

A special thanks is in line for Modsquad Super Fan Kristen "Future Lima" Bladel. Bladel took hundreds of photos for the Squad throughout the season and was Keeper of the Scorebook, a thankless task. Photos from the Championship Game can be found here.

Finally, a special thanks to all the fans that were in attendance. The Squad truely thrives on your emotional and vocal support that you've provided throughout the season.