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Congrats to Dri Tec's Tim Martin

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111811aaa.html

A look back at the 2011 Senior City season-

For the second year in a row, the Bridgeport Senior City League sent a team to Louisville for the NABF World Series. Fedells rode new acquistions Ryan Cimino and Todd Savatsky through a regular season championship and a regional championship. Fedells featured a pitching staff of Jason Foster, Savatsky, Tom Wiacek and Sam Iverson paired with a veteran nucleus of Matt Memoli, Tom Koch, Craig Wocl, Tyler Caserta and Cimino. However, it was a few role players and late additions that vaulted Fedells to the title. Buddy Bajerski's walk off homer vs Bellows (1-0) proved to be the seaon's biggest hit, giving Fedells a two game lead and ultimately the league championship. Blake Barone, Mike Doran and Mitch Wells additions more than helped replace the injured Brendan Nugent, Leon Galemba and Mike Olcyk.

Mike Fedell earned Manager of the Year, Tom Koch Most Valuable Player and Fedells looks primed for the long run.

Chad's Lawncare made strides in 2011. With the addition of perenial player of the year candidate John Blaze to the lineup which already featured Chris Vartulli among others, Chad's proved to be amongst the leagues elite teams and also received a break out year from Jeff Blaze. The staff consisted of Nico Gambardella, Scott Carew, John Ascenzia and Matt Salvato. Finishing 2nd in the AABC States gave Chad's a well earned bid to the AABC Regionals in Braintree.

Over the first few weeks of the season no single player had as much of an impact as Storm's Matt Bartolomei. "Everyday" Bartolomei was involved in well over half of Storm's wins and earned Pitcher of the Year. Manager Mike Siksay had a weapon that no other team could match. Bartolomei would shut the door to close out games and dominate his starts and do it in back to back days. The Storm has become a regional staple with another trip to West Haven for the NABF Regional.

Pitching ruled the summer of 2011, Bartolomei had a season for the ages, but several others had impressive campaigns also. After a season debut loss to Bellows, Hunters Zach Soulier began an astonishing streak. Soulier allowed an unearned run in the first inning vs Fairfield and then went on to pitch 6 consecutive shut outs. Highlights include a 1 hitter vs Chad's in a 2-0 win, a no hitter vs STE, a two-hitter vs Dri Tec and an 8 inning win over Fairfield, (2-0). Zach took his streak into the AABC States and hurled a shut out vs #1 seed and Tri State Champion Litchfield Cowboys.For his efforts Soulier earned 2011 rookie of the year.

Dom Merole of STE was the epitome of the hard luck loser. Merole kept a struggling STE team in every game. He may not have the gaudy stats of Soulier or Bartolomei but when he toed the rubber for STE the team and the game was different.

Bellows always features the best quality and quantity of arms in the league but with the loss of Maxx Catapano to the Mariners organization, Jim Dimon to the NECBL and Brett Schulick to injury a lot was laid on the arm of Andy Mayer and he responded. Mayer had an outstanding season, in 3 starts vs Fedells he only allowed one run and gave Manager Eddie Dellavecchia a quality start every time out, keeping Bellows on pace with Fedells and Storm.

Although Bartolomei was the savior for the Storm, James Ineson's arrival was nearly as vital. Ineson filled a huge void and had some very key wins for the Storm including shut out over the Hunters and a shut out in the NABF regional vs Downtown Merchants of Wallingford.

Adam Dinahanian of Dri Tec went all 11 innings (8 k's) in 3-2 win over Chads, despite Dri Tec missing several regulars in the line up. Forced to bat himself there was little margin for error.

2011 Most Outstanding Player Dave Tokarz of Bellows has become the re-incarnation of Johnny Delvecchio for Bellows. Tokarz like his predecessor Delvecchio, has the ability to single handedly will his team to win. In an early season game vs the Hunters, Tokarz reached base and scored in every plate appearance. His ability to find his way on base and serve as a catalyst for Bellows is a major reason why Bellows is always atop the standings.

It was a special season for Senior City teams in post season play. Fedells (http://www.leaguelineup.com/games.asp?cmenuid=8&url=derbycity&sid=660505260) won the NABF West Haven Regional, Storm advanced to the NABF Regional semis, Chad's did well in AABC in Braintree and the Hunters advanced to the semis of the NABF regionals in Hackensack. In the quarter finals vs regional champ Hackensack Troasts, the Hunters were up 2-1 into the seventh before starter Mike Nich tired and the relief faltered. Facing a 7-2 deficit in the 9th, the Hunters rallied for 8 runs to earn a 10-7 win. Comebacks were the theme of the day in Louisville as well, Fedells had two remarkable comebacks vs Beecher Muskies and Tampa Elite winning both games 9-8.

Nobody did parking lots better than Chad's Lawncare in 2011.

Finally, congrats to Maxx Catapano of Bellows for being selected by the Seattle Mariners.http://www.ctbulletin.com/articles/2011/06/09/sports/doc4df0e2025aeb6930410225.txt 

and to Storm's Peter Barrows who signed with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association league.

For all of the success the Senior City league had during the summer, it actually began in April when a select group of players played an exhibition game vs the Bluefish. It was a 0-0 game through 5 when the Bluefish broke it open. Andre Licinsky (Bellows), Matt Memoli (Fedells), John Tenn (Storm), Brian Gouin, Joe Rohrig, Jared Rohrig,(Hunters) were a few of the players that participated.

5. STE vs Chad's Lawncare-STE 11-6. With Chad's in the middle of a five game 6 day stretch, STE came to play and put up 11 runs vs a trio of Chad's pitchers. After a winless '10 season it was a significant victory for Dave Shapiro and gang. 

4. Milford Hunters vs Fairfield Baseball Club- Mike Guilfoyle and 2011 Rookie of the Year Zach Soulier matched zeroes for 7 innings before Milford plated two runs in the 8th. In the fourth inning with Milford threatening, the Fairfield shortstop made a diving play in the hole saving a run and getting an out and with two outs and bases loaded the right fielder made a lunging grab in right center. Guilfoyle was impressive all game working into and out of trouble and Soulier was dominant, allowing only four base runners all game.

3.Fedells vs Storm (Fedells 1-0 victory) Tom Wiacek and Jason Foster combine on the shut out, but the play of the game was made by 2011 MVP Tom Koch. With two outs in the 6th and bases loaded, Koch makes diving stop behind second base and from the ground flips to 2b for the force out and then Foster closed it out in the 7th.

2. Fedells vs Bellows (Fedells 1-0) Andy Mayer was dominant (20 scoreless innnings) vs Fedells this year but was undone by a Buddy Bajerski walk off home run. Jason Foster was brilliant in his complete game shut out.

1. Bellows vs Chad's Lawncare. Bellows rallied from 5-0 down highlighted by a Ron Williams three run homer to tie it in the sixth inning. After scoreless 7th and 8th, Jeff Blaze hit a three run homer to give Chad's an 8-5 lead, but Bellows comes right back in the bottom with a Darren Micalazzi three run home run. Bellows again loaded the bases and scores the game winner on a wild pitch.