Bound Brook, NJ – Somerset starter Jared Fowler shut down the Indians as the Clippers took the first game of the Sunday doubleheader, 9-1. Fowler threw all seven innings and allowed just five hits in another dominating performance, only giving up one unearned run in the 7th. He walked just one batter and struck out twelve. At the plate for the Clippers, Zack Markle had two hits and three RBI and Jonathan Encarnacion had a 2 run double.  In addition, Freddie Castro had two hits and an RBI for the Clippers, who after the Game 1 win, were one win away from clinching a playoff spot.

In Game 2, the Clippers struck first in the 2^nd inning. Jose Pinto lead the inning off with a single and Mike Casiano followed with perfectly executed hit and run, singling to right field putting runners on first and third with no one out. Pete Trentacosta lifted a fly ball to deep center field, scoring Pinto and giving the Clippers a 1-0 lead.

The Clippers extended their lead to 3-0 in the 4^th inning when Jared Fowler lead off the inning with a walk and Pinto followed up with another single, his second of the game. Casiano singled sharply to left field, scoring Fowler. Pete Polizzano drove in the 3^rd run with an RBI ground out. The Indians cut the lead to 3-2 after 6 innings, however, in the top of the 7^th, the Clippers exploded for 3 more runs to give them some breathing room going into the bottom of the 7^th. Casiano drove in a run with his third hit of the game and after Trentacosta put down a perfect sacrifice bunt, Encarnacion stepped up to the plate and promptly drove a single to left center field, driving in the final two runs and giving the Clippers a 6-2 lead.

Zack Markle closed the game out for the Clippers on the mound, throwing a complete game 5 hitter, not giving up an earned run, walking one batter and striking out five.

After Castro squeezed the final out, the Clippers mobbed Markle and the wild celebration ensued. The Clippers won 7 of their final 9 games to get into the playoffs. It was a remarkable run and now they await the completion of the regular season to see who they will be facing on Saturday July 27.

Once again, the Clippers have proven that they have the deepest team in the NJABL and will prove to be a very dangerous team in the double elimination tournament to crown the first ever NJABL South Wood champion.

GAME NOTES:

Freddie Castro and Jose Pinto made two of the best defensive plays you will ever see, laying out to rob the Indians of two hits and in the process, stalling rallies and protecting the lead for the Clippers.

Jonathan Encarnacion legged out a double in Game 1, making up for his gaffe in Newark a week before. He also played sparkling defense in Game 2 at third base.

Jared Fowler hit a monstrous home run to left field that some said hit the DIRECTV blimp flying overhead. Jared hustled out of the box, however, still had to convince his teammates that he was actually running hard.

In Rob Roman’s absence, Freddie Castro took over the role of inspirational leader, delivering a moving speech right before the game.  Unfortunately, he got so emotional; he forgot how to count to three.

After the clincher, the Clippers moved the after party to the South Side Grille, where they celebrated their improbable road to the playoffs. They learned many things about each other that night (as scribed by Jared and Pinto), however, most importantly that you never mess with someone from Montclair (especially someone from the bad side of town)