The Alibrandis’ momentum momentarily stalled in games against the South Boston Saints and the East Boston Nights last week. The team looks to improve their record at home before taking on the Stoneham Sabers this coming weekend. – Photo by Benjamin Klein

By Benjamin Klein

After starting the season 3-1, the Somerville Alibrandis have recently dropped two of their last three games but still remain in second place in the Ted Williams division.

The Alibrandis started the second week of the season in impressive fashion, crushing the first-place Malden Bulldogs, 8-0. Somerville would waste no time in getting the scoring going as they plated four runs in the first inning. They would add two more runs in the second inning off of solo home runs by Mike Maguire and Ted Dziuba. The Alibrandis would add insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings, which was more than enough for starting pitcher Bryant Guilmette.

Guilmette pitched five innings of scoreless baseball while striking out six Malden batters, picking up his first victory of the year. Ryan Cosmopulos and Jay Wisner each provided flawless innings in relief.

Somerville should have saved some of their offense for the following night as they fell to the South Boston Saints 3-1 in extra innings. The lone Alibrandis run came in the first inning when Dziuba doubled home Maguire. South Boston would quickly tie the score in the second inning and from there both teams went scoreless until the eighth inning.

Wisner, pitching for the second straight day, relieved Chris Foundas in the eighth inning after a masterful performance. South Boston would get the lead batter on and then after a sacrifice bunt, Wisner hit the next batter. The Saints would go on to hit three straight singles to propel them to victory as Somerville couldn’t make a comeback in the last half of the inning.

Foundas only allowed one run over seven innings and gave Somerville plenty of opportunities to take the lead. Unfortunately, the offense left nine men on base during the game and couldn’t capitalize on anything the Saints defense gave them.

The Alibrandis would lose their next match-up a few days later against the East Boston Nights, 5-2. Somerville would again take an early lead but East Boston gave Somerville starter Sean Sullivan plenty of trouble in the fourth inning, scoring five times. Somerville couldn’t get a big innings together despite scoring a run in the seventh inning.

East Boston pitcher Branden Eaton was very impressive going the full seven innings while only allowing the two runs on five hits while striking out four. Dziuba, who has been great for Somerville all season long, had his six-game hitting streak snapped in the loss.

The Alibrandis will play their next two games at home, completing a four-game home stand, before going on the road on Saturday for a match-up with the Stoneham Sabers.