St. Bart's Softball Teams Go Head to Head in Labor Day Championship Game

Getting hot at the right time.

That's the theme for St. Matthew as it will take on St. David in Monday's St. Bart's Old Timers Softball League championship game.

The always well-attended, local, end-of-summer event is scheduled for a 10 a.m. first pitch at the Brookside Park field, located off Hetfield Avenue in Scotch Plains.

After losing to Angels Division regular season winner St. Aloysius all four times they played in the regular season — according to St. Matthew team captain Tony Radice — second-place St. Matthew was able to defeat St. Aloysius 7-1 Wednesday night at the Forest Road field to win the Angels Division playoff championship.

The fifth time must've been a charm for St. Matthew, which went only 11-12 in the regular season, but 2-0 in the playoffs to get to the league championship game.

"We came out and played strong defense and hit the ball real well," said Radice, who was the winning pitcher.

After being the losing pitcher against St. Aloysius — which went 17-6 in the regular season for the league's best overall record entering the playoffs — four times in the regular season, Radice was able to limit the quality opponent to just five hits in the crucial playoff contest.

"I was able to keep them off balance this time," Radice said of the unlimited arc pitching style used in the softball league.

Radice reported that teammate Gus Alvarez slugged a two-run homer in the top of the first to give his team the lead for good and that teammate Keith Gibbons later added an RBI-triple.

Scores of the first three regular season matchups between St. Aloysius and St. Matthew were in favor of St. Aloysius by 23-6, 16-9 and 9-8 decisions. The score of the other St. Aloysius win over St. Matthew was not listed on the league's Web site. According to the league schedule, the teams were to play a Bumper Game at Jerseyland on Aug. 7.

"We lost six in a row toward the end of the year and then won our last game and have not lost since," Radice said. "If we play consistent like we have recently, it will be a close game against St. David. They have a very strong team."

St. David's only playoff win was its commanding 15-2 triumph over St. Jude Tuesday night. St. David won the Saints Division regular season title by two games over St. Jude, 16-7 to 14-9.

St. Matthew and St. David played each other twice during the season, with St. David winning 11-7 in week eight and St. Matthew coming out on top 16-10 in week 14.

According to the league's Web site, "Graham" Nash Warfield suffered a broken thumb in his team's win over St. Matthew and was expected to be out four to six weeks. St. Matthew outslugged a vacationing St. David team the second time they faced each other, with every player from both teams getting on base at least once. 

"The playoffs are very tense and are one-and-done if you lose," said St. David team captain Dave Rothenberg.

Rothenberg explained that the playoffs feature a one-game format, with the fifth place team playing the fourth place team and the winner then playing the third place team. Then the winner of that game plays the second place team and then the winner of that game plays the first place team.

"The first place teams have to sit and wait for their opponent to be decided for about a week before playing," Rothenberg said.

In St. David's Tuesday win, Paul Ross, Tom Maher, Scott Smith, Marty Bernstein, Tom Baldowski and Al Betau all produced multiple-hit games. Betau was the winning pitcher.

"He pitched a great game and proved why he is the self-proclaimed 'best player in the league,'" Rothenberg said.

Now, St. David will try to add the league championship to its regular season and playoff titles.

"I would like to think our chances are good to come away with the win on Monday, but we respect our opponent and know it won't come easily," Rothenberg said. "Tony Radice is a great competitor and will have his team ready to play. Our team is very athletic and balanced, with the infield of (Nick) Dinizo, (Scott) Smith, (Marty) Bernstein and (Karl) Grossman being about as good as it gets in our league. Our lineup is more than a handful as well."

The St. David cleanup batter in the lineup is Jeff Friedlander of the team's sponsor: Friedlander Insurance.

"He teams with outfielder Nash Warfield to provide inspiration and motivation to the guys," Rothenberg said.

ST. BART'S OLD-TIMERS SOFTBALL LEAGUE

2009 FINAL STANDINGS

ANGELS DIVISION

1-St. Aloysius 17-6 (.739)

2-St. Matthew 11-12 (.478)

3-St. Patrick 10-12 (.455)

4-St. Stephen 10-13 (.435)

5-St. Anthony 6-16 (.286)

SAINTS DIVISION

1-St. David 16-7 (.696)

2-St. Jude 14-9 (.609)

3-St. Luke 12-12 (.500)

4-St. Anne 10-14 (.417)

5-St. Joseph 9-14 (.391)

ANGELS DIVISION PLAYOFFS:

Game No. 1 - St. Stephen 10, St. Anthony 8

Game No. 2 - St. Patrick 13, St. Stephen 12

Game No. 3 - St. Matthew 14, St. Patrick 6

Game No. 4 - St. Matthew 7, St. Aloysius 1

Champion: St. Matthew

SAINTS DIVISION PLAYOFFS:

Game No. 1 - St. Anne 10, St. Joseph 8

Game No. 2 - St. Luke 4, St. Anne 1

Game No. 3 - St. Jude 8, St. Luke 7

Game No. 4 - St. David 15, St. Jude 2

Champion: St. David

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Monday, Sept, 7, 10 a.m.

at Brookside Park off Hetfield Avenue in Scotch Plains

Angels Division champ St. Matthew (13-12) vs.

Saints Division champ St. David (17-7)

ST. MATTHEW ROSTER

Captain - Tony Radice

Sponsor - Mama Lou's

Team color - Red

Players:

Gus Alvarez

Lou Balestriere

James Barba

Bob Cihanowyz

Mike Constantinou

Bob Cummo

Larry Fleischman

Keith Gibbons

Dennis Hercel

Frank Litterio

Dan Margolis

Tony Radice

Tom Straniero

Phil Vellucci

Rick Wustefeld

ST. DAVID ROSTER

Captain - Dave Rothenberg

Sponsor - Friedlander Assoc.

Team color - Grey

Players:

Tom Baldowski

Marty Bernstein

Allan Betau

Nick Dinizo

Jeff Friedlander

Karl Grossman

Tom Henderson

Art Hobble

Tom Maher

Paul Nadolny

Steve Pirella

Steve Polak

Dave Rothenberg

Scott Smith

Nashad Warfield

Paul Ross