2008 Al Thomas A's

As promised, I've been trying to put together some reviews of the 2008 season in the Yawkey Baseball League and what the 2009 schedule looks like.

Alphabetically, Lets start with Joe O'Hara's Al Thomas A's.

Here's what Coach O'Hara had to say, " The 2008 season was a long for the A's, as job commitments and injuries took away the teams four best hitters and the two best pitchers for close to two-thirds of the year.

But there were encouraging signs, however. Many rookies got extended playing time, were very successful, and the team made the playoffs. A 1-0 loss to top seeded Malden was followed up by a 7-1 loss in Game 2 of those playoffs to knock the A's from the post season. But, the A's bowed out graciously.

I was proud of my team advancing to the playoffs, as we basically lost our number two through five hitters for the entire season after just ten games. I brought aboard nine 19 year olders and yet another 18 year old rookie, and guess what, they all contributed for us.

It was what you might call an accidental rebuilding year. We were last in team defense, next to last in team offense. So those are things, in particular that we must address in the off season.

We hope to compete for another championship in 2009."

Thank you Joe

Al D's Sideliner Notes
I would like to take this time to honor the girls field hockey team in Watertown for an outstanding season in 2008.

This team was young and inexperienced, but for 20 weeks they put the Middlesex League on notice that they were not going to be pushed around by anyone. That did this by earning an incredible accomplishment, winning the league crown with a 13-0-5 regular season record that saw them achieve the #1 seed in the North Sectional Girls Field Hockey Division 2.

Once the playoffs started, the Raiders opened up against mighty Belmont. But, it was in this game where the girls of Watertown began to get the State's attention. Even though this was a game held on Halloween, neither team was willing to give up that extra or in this case, an overtime goal. But little did anyone expect this game to go triple overtime, in which superstar freshman Erika Kelly got credit for the winning goal for the Raiders, 3-2.

It was then on to the next round against a team that always seems to be there in the end, Bishop Fenwick. The game started out very well for the Raiders, as almost single handidly, Kelly would net a hat trick in just the first half alone, giving Watertown a 3-1 at intermission. The second half was not quite as successful as Fenwick roared back to tie the game at 3-3. But the Raiders were not deterred. This one again went to overtime, where Kelly again worked her Raider magic, by scoring yet her fourth goal of the game to again send the victory to Watertown.

With that victory in the books, watertown now earned a bid to the Division 2 North Sectional Title game against Manchester Essex. This one proved to be a real nail biter. After Manchester scored first, that girl Kelly scored again in the second half to tie it. The game went OT once more, but this time a different hero arose. Lauren Giadano would score the game winner for the Raiders.

That 2-1 victory sent The Raiders to State Semis against the strong and talented Hillers of Hopkinton. Just think, one more win for Watertown and its on to the finals.

Things started brilliantly in this one as Giadano and Bianca Jones each scored to send the Raiders into halftime with what appeared to be a commanding 2-0 lead. But, Hopkinton didn't come this up the hill to be heartbroken, as, to their credit, they scored three unanswered second half goals to win it 3-2, and thus end Watertown's bid for a 10th State title.

But, while the Raiders didn't take home the big prize, what they did accomplish was to prove the critics wrong in 2008 by fighting all the odds. All this, being led by a freshman goal scorer.

Congratulations to the team and coaches on a job well done.
AL DiTullio