The NEAA 19 and under Dodgers played the Boston Padres in the semi-finals of the Boston Champs Wood Bat League. The number one seeded Dodgers took on the 4th seeded Padres in a battle to the end. Mike Martignetti got the start for the Dodgers and did not disappoint. Mike threw a complete game 2-hitter, allowing only a bunt single and an infield single and the Dodgers eked out a 3-2 win. The Dodgers struck for 2 in the bottom of the first as leadoff hitter Joan Figueroa singled, stole 2nd and 3rd and came home on an infield hit by Mike Martignetti. Martignetti then stole 2nd and was doubled home by Nick Iudiciani.
The Dodgers were up 2-0 after one inning and appeared to be headed to another easy victory. However appearance did not match reality as the Boston Padres battled the Dodger tooth and nail for 7 hard innings. Martignetti was perfect through three innings but the Padres scratched a run across in the 4th when leadoff hitter Freddie Gonzalez struck out on a nasty curveball but reached first base when the ball bounced away from the Dodgers catcher to give the Padres their first base runner of the game. Gonzalez stole 2nd and went to 3rd on an infield single by Tesada, the Padres first hit of the game. Gonzalez came home on a double steal to make the score 2-1 Dodgers. Martignetti dug down and got the next three batters allowing the Dodgers to keep their one run lead. The Dodgers built their lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the 5th when Rick Martignetti led off with a single. As Figueroa bunted to sacrifice Martignetti to 2nd the Padres left third base unattended and a heads up Martignetti scampered from 1st to 3rd on the bunt. The Padres 1st baseman fired a throw to 3rd but the base was uncovered and Martignetti easily ran home.
The Padres cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the 6th on a bunt single and some small ball. After the Dodgers were held scoreless in the bottom of the 6th it was up the Martignetti to get them through the 7th. Mike struck out the 5th hitter leading off, got the 6th hitter to ground to 3rd and ended the game in style by blowing a fastball by the 7th hitter. The Dodgers move on to the finals to face a very talented Lawrence team.
