A FITTING END TO THE SEASON. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GEL AS A TEAM WITH THE EARLY INJURIES, THE LACK OF PREPARATION OR COMMITMENT BY RETURNING PLAYERS, AND THE CONSTANT THIEVERY OF PLAYERS BY AAU. IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT LOSING FOUR PLAYERS FROM 2008 WOULD MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE. MY HATS OFF TO THEM AGAIN FOR A GREAT 2008.  WE'LL TRY IT AGAIN IN 2010.

SIX ERRORS, TWO WILD PITCHES, THREE PASS BALLS, GIVING UP SEVEN HITS, ONLY PRODUCING FIVE HITS, ENOUGH SAID

THE TRIP SOUTH TO WAREHAM PROVED TO BE ANOTHER TOUGH ONE FOR THE ROCKLAND RAIDERS. THE WAREHAM POST 220 IS A PLAYOFF CONTENDER AND ALWAYS A STRONG OPPONENT. ROCKLAND POST 147 SCORED FIRST WHEN CORY COMEAU DREW A WALK AND SCORED ON A TRIPLE BY MATT LOSCIUTO, BUT THAT WOULD BE IT FOR ROCKLAND. WAREHAM KEPT PICKING AWAY AND EVENTUALLY SCORED FOUR RUNS FOR THE LEAD THAT STUCK. CORY COMEAU, THE ROCKLAND STARTER, PITCHED WELL, BUT COULD GET NO RUN SUPPORT, AND WAS THE TOUGH LUCK LOSER. THE ROCKLAND TEAM IS STILL WITHOUT SOME KEY PLAYERS, AND THAT HAS PUT A STRAIN ON THE REMAINING PLAYERS AND COACHING STAFF THIS YEAR.

 NORWELL POST 192 == 9 // ROCKLAND POST 147 == 1

Norwell Legion Post 192 came to Rockland Stadium on a humid Saturday afternoon and played better than a low seeded team in Zone 10. Mike Mallar, the Rockland starter let up one run early, but settled down and pitched well, over three of his five innings. The problem for Post 147 was no run support for Mallar. Rockland in one of its more embarrasing games was held to only one hit, by Norwell pitcher, Mike Moran. Moran completely baffled Rockland and notched 12 strike outs to his credit. Norwell also put up six runs against Mike Mallar and three runs against reliever Steve Gardner, giving Mallar his first loss in as many starts, and pushing Rockland further down in the District 10 standings. This was one to forget !!!!

Rockland versus Hingham in Hingham was deja-vu for Rockland. Rockland scored first when Josh Sullivan singled then moved to second on a pass ball, and scored on a Matt Losciuto single. Hingham tied the game in the bottom of the first inning and broke it open in the bottom of the second and third innings. Hingham scored 18 times with 15 hits, which included 3 home runs, the same amount as last time these two teams met in Hingham. The scrappy group from Rockland hung in and battled, but could not get the rally they needed. The injury toll and players choosing other things, as more important has depleted the Rockland team, and its effect was felt tonight. On a good note Matt Losciuto went 2 for 3 at the plate with one of the hits being a 375 foot home run, and Josh Sullivan also went 2 for 3 for the good guys.

DOWN TOO MANY PLAYERS TO MAKE THINGS WORK SOMETIMES. PLAYERS OUT OF THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS, NO OPTIONS LEFT AT TIMES. VERY PROUD OF THE PLAYERS THAT SHOW UP, BUT SHOWING UP IS NOT ENOUGH. WE NEED TO PLAY ERROR FREE BALL OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. 2 NICE HITS BY STEVE MACHABY, 7 STRIKEOUTS FOR PITCHER JOSH SULLIVAN, GREAT BUNT BY JEFF GARDNER.

8 RUNS CAUSED BY ERRORS, THE SCORE SHOULD HAVE BEEN 3 TO 2

NOT SETTING AND THROWING, NOT CATCHING, INDECISIONS, OVER STRIDING ON A SLOW PITCHER , ALL LEAD TO A WASTE OF YOUR TIME AND OURS

WE ARE NO 3 & 5 WITH FIVE GAMES IN FIVE DAYS

A MORE FOCUSED TEAM BETTER SHOW UP OR THE SEASON WILL BE OVER THIS WEEK

On the road again, Rockland Post 147 visited the newly reformed Duxbury Legion team.Rockland struck first and looked like they were going to have a good night, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning.Cory Comeau drew a walk to start the game, and Nick Ayala doubled, putting runners on second and third. Josh Sullivan doubled next scoring Comeau and Ayala, but the inning ended with bases loaded, and Rockland sqaundered an opportunity .Duxbury scratched their way back, scoring one in the bottom of the first and three in the bottom of the third,to gain control of the game. Once ahead, Duxbury pitching allowed only one Rockland hit the rest of the game. Rockland starter Cory Comeau had a good outing, but did allow seven hits, combined with a balk to score a run, and some pass balls, creating another tough come from behind scenario.The comeback fell short as Post 147 squeezed one more run in the seventh inning, but could not generate any more. Rocklands' Nick Ayala went 2 for 4 at the plate, while Rockland had seven fly outs to limit their chances.

DUXBURY LEGION = 5 , ROCKLAND LEGION = 3

Rockland Post147 baseball team had yet to win a home game, but their hopes were high with Josh Sullivan on the mound. Wareham Post 220 however had a different idea of what would happen although. Wareham scored four runs on three hits and two errors, completely out playing Rockland at the start. Post 147 to its credit once again battled back with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, on four singles from players, Nick Ayala, Josh Sullivan, Cory Comeau and Derek Smith. Rockland tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the second inning, after Wareham pitching allowed two walks, and Josh Sullivan tripled, scoring two runs, and scoring on a Matt Losciuto single. Rockland had the lead and even added one more run in the third, and should have been in the drivers seat. Wareham however also knew how to battle back and managed to score three runs in the top of the fourth inning, and two runs in the top of the fifth inning, with Rockland errors in each inning helping them into scoring positions. The end result would favor the visitors and waste a good outing by Rockland pitcher Josh Sullivan. Rockland has a team that can score runs, but seem to be inconsistent on defense, which in Legion Baseball is opening the door to a subpar season.

Hopes were high that things would be different this year in a game against Bridgewater Post 203, but alas the baseball gods seemed to be happy leaving things just the way they are. It took until the top of the third inning for things to unravel for Rockland, but unravel it did. One of the most unsettling parts of this game for Rockland Post 147 was the fact that they had no errors, and still could not keep it close. Bridgewater scored six times in the third, with eight hits, off of Rockland starter Joe Lennon. The Post 147 coaching staff was stunned to see the normally solid pitcher (Lennon) be hit so hard and so often in an inning. The "Raiders" never quit attitude, led them to bounce back in the bottom of the third inning, with singles from Steve Machaby, A.J. Roache, Josh Sullivan, and Cory Comeau, to pull within two runs of Bridgewater. Over the next four innings Rockland pitching could not stop Bridgewater from scoring, padding their lead with four more runs, while Rockland could do nothing further with Bridgewaters' pitching. The game ended on a 3-6-3 double play by Bridgewater, killing any hopes of a comeback by Rockland, and gave Rockland their second loss, both of which were at home. On a good note Josh Sullivan went 2 for 3 at the plate, but on a bad note A.J. Roache strained his quadricep and is out for a week, along with Mike Mahoney out with a pulled hamstring for 3 weeks

Bridgewater Post 203 ==10  vs. Rockland Post 147 == 4

Rockland Legion Post 147 baseball team paid another visit to Hanover High School field and Hanover Post 149 Legion team.In the past visits Rockland has come away on the short end of the stick, but this year hopes were high to change that.Post 147 jumped on Hanover pitcher David Gibson in the top of the first inning, when Rocklands' Cory Mitchell doubled and Nick Ayala hit a bullet over the left field fence for a two run homer, giving Rockland the quick lead. Hanover picked up a run in the bottom of the second inning due to and error by Rockland, and grabbed another run in the bottom of the third after solid hits from David Gibson and Mitch McClune.Post 147 Raiders struck again in the top of the fifth inning with another Cory Mitchell hit, followed by a Hanover error, and Gibson hitting Nick Ayala to load the bases. Rocklands' Matt Losciuto powered a fly ball deep to left center for a ground rule double, scoring Mitchell and Ayala. Losciuto would move to third on a wild pitch and score on a sacrifice fly by Cory Comeau. Rockland had the lead 6 to 2 and Raider pitcher Cory Comeau was having a masterful performance for Rockland. Hanover made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning and Rockland did their best to try and give the game away.Three errors and only one hit netted Hanover two runs and the tying run came down to a play at the plate which was the third out for Hanover. Rockland Post 147 "Raiders" escaped with the win, but a great pitching perfomance by Cory Comeau was almost spoiled. Comeau pitched seven innings and allowed only five hits and 2 earned runs, and had Hanover off balance all night.Rockland wins their second game of the season 6 to 5 and improves to 2 and 1. Matt Losciuto went 3 for 4 and Cory Mitchell went 2 for 4, while Cory Comeau struck out 5 Hanover batters.

Middleboro Post 64 came to Rockland Veterans Memorial Stadium for the Rockland Post 147 home opener. Middleboro wasted no time jumping all over Rockland starter Derek Smith for 7 hits and 8 runs in just two-thirds of an inning pitched. The always good hitting Middleboro squad, also scored four runs off of relief pitcher Steve Gardner on his Legion debut in the second inning. Spotting Post 64 twelve runs in two innings is not a good way to open at home. Post 147 did answer back in the bottom of the second inning with four hits and three runs off the bats of Cory Mitchell, and Derek Smith, who singled ahead of a Bomb to left from the bat of Steve Gardner. Gardner would score next on a single from Cory Comeau. Rockland repeated the hot bat sequence in the third inning, when A.J. Roache battled Middleboro pitcher Evan Anderson to a base on balls, then Matt Losciuto tripled, scoring Roache. Cory Mitchell would single once more scoring Losciuto, and then Mitchell would score on another single from Cory Comeau. However, that would be it for the Offense of Post 147, as Anderson set down may Rockland batters when he needed to. Rockland reliever Joe Lennon came in to pitch and held Middleboro to only three hits for the next five innings, but that was too late, the damage had been done early. Sloppy fielding by Rockland and great hitting by Middleboro spelled disaster for the Home Opener, and this one went in the book for a loss. On a good note Cory Comeau went 3 for 4, A.J. Roache went 2 for 3, and Cory Mitchell went 2 for 4 at the plate.

RECORD 1 Win & 1 Loss

COLLEGE PLAYERS----CONGRATS TO MIKE MAHONEY

Mike Mahoney has been honored by the Great Northeast Athletic Conference as the baseball Rookie of the Week for the week ending April 6th and becomes the first Laser baseball player to win a weekly award. Mahoney is a freshman from Rockland, MA and plays right field and pitcher for the Lasers.  In a 3-3 week for Lasell, Mahoney accounted for one of the wins on the mound.  Against Daniel Webster he got a no decision despite pitching seven and a third innings, giving up no earned runs, eight hits and struck out 3.  He then picked up a victory over Norwich during which time he pitched five inning in relief only giving up one run and struck out six.  Mahoney also had a strong week from the plate that game going 4 for 5 with 4 runs scored, 3 RBI's and a home run.  He finished the week and led the Lasers with 7 hits, 6 runs, and 4 RBI's, hitting an average of .538.

GENTLEMEN LEAVE SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR SAY

A PRAYER FOR TWO OF OUR COACHES AS THEY GO THROUGH

SOME CHALLENGING OPERATIONS

COACH CULLINAN --DEC. 12, 2008

COACH COYNE -- JAN. 2, 2009