Baseball Review // South Windsor Phillies, 4 Record-Journal Expos, 5 at Ceppa Field, Meriden CT June 11th 2024 (GHTBL)

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Official box score ::: https://ghtbl.org/event/phillies-expos-3

Additional photos can be found here ::: 

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The Record-Journal Expos were coming into this game at 3-2 while the South Windsor Phillies were sitting at an even 3-3.   If the Phillies won this game, they'd put the Expos at an even .500 while they'd jump above it.   But it was not to be on this day, as the Expos banded together and once again had the walkoff victory at Ceppa Field.

Right in the top of the first inning it felt like the Phillies set the tone of the game as their leadoff hitter was on base but then picked off for the first out.  Two strike outs ended the inning and the Expos offense started right away.    Sebby Grignano walked while Jon Remillard hit a deep shot to center field for 1st and 2nd. 

"Superstar" Luke DiMauro hit a scorcher down the third base side to score Sebby Grignano and then AJ Hendrickson would follow with a deep shot to left-center field to bring home Jon Remillard and make it an early 2-0 lead.

The top of the second felt like the top of the first.  There was a strike out, a walk, another strike out and then the batter who walked was picked off at first base to end the inning.   In the top of the third inning though, the Phillies Javier Irizarry would hit a deep shot over the center field fence, a two run homerun and this game was all tied up 2-2.

In the bottom of the third inning, AJ Hendrickson doubled deep to right field and the fielder couldn't find the ball and get a hand on it.  Will Kszywanos would blast a shot to left field that the fielder would drop to score "Superstar" Luke DiMauro, giving the Expos the lead back, 3-2.  No scores through the fourth or fifth innings, but the top of the sixth ended with a double play and there was a moment where the Phillies Will Dalton tripped over first base.  

The bottom of the sixth saw Luis Delgado go from first base to home plate on a triple to left field by Max Giacco.   The Expos were headed into the seventh, 4-2.   The Phillies managed to send in two more runs in the top of the seventh, as there were shots right down the first base side and the third base side, the Phillies were hitting like when they had won the season with the best overall record.  

The bottom of the seventh, all tied up 4-4 and the Expos are looking to walk it off again this season.  Hector Gonzalez singles as the third baseman runs right past the ball without picking it up.   "Superstar" Luke DiMauro draws a walk and then AJ Hendrickson comes in to hit a single which brings Hector Gonzalez all the way home and the ball game is over.

One thing we need to talk about here is the Expos pitching debut of Rory Mayer.   He pitched a complete game and struck out ten over the course of it.   He gave up some runs, mostly on that two run homerun, but it's not about not giving up runs but rather how the offense responds and how you stay cool under the pressure as well.   I really have to hand it to Rory Mayer for going out there and getting it done.

Looking ahead, the Record-Journal Expos play M&T Bank for the first time this season, at home, on Thursday night.   M&T Bank is 3-1 with their only loss of the season so far being to the Rainbow Graphics.   But as the Expos sit at 4-2, this feels like a fairly even matched game and it will be interesting to see who wins.   This game was a good back and forth, a push and shove, and I expect nothing less when the Expos meet the Bankers.