THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 4, 2023 Page 17 2023 Playoff Scores (all games at Kezer Field/ Double Elimination Series Game 1: July 19, Wednesday: Pilots 12, Flames 5. Game 2: July 19, Wednesday: Chiefs defeat Knights (Forfeit). Game 3: July 20, Thursday: Flames defeat Knights (Forfeit). Knights eliminated Game 4: July 20, Thursday: Chiefs 5, Pilots 2. Game 5: July 24, Monday: Pilots 12, Flames 1. Flames eliminated Game 6: July 31, Monday: Pilots 13, Chiefs 1. Game 7: Aug 2, Wednesday: Pilots 14, Chiefs 2. Pilots win 2023 City Series Championship **** The runner up Chiefs were coached by manager Chris Kosuk and included David Azzolino, Ryan Bowdridge, Jordan Caplis, Marc Colleameano, Joshua Dionne, Yousef Ellussien, Robert Erkkila, Logan Garrity, Nico LoConte, Joshua Mini, Kendrick Noelsaint, Derek Soper and Gino Spadafora. Assistant coaches included Clifton Noelsaint and Bill LoConte. The 2023 Malden Babe Ruth League Champions, the Pilots, include first-year manager Nolan Bagley and the team: Antonine Alce, Andrew Barrett, Matthew Candelario Da Costa, Coby Cook, Charlie Govostes, Michael Guida, Artemijs “A.J.” Jumutcs, Remy Laughton, Matthew Maltese, Ryan McMahon, Jaylen Rivera-Fuentes, David Ruane, Josiah Silva and Zachary Woods. Assistant coaches included Patrick Ruane and Timmy Cervera. ***** CITY SERIES NOTES: This was the 63rd Malden Babe Ruth League City Series Playoff Championship since the league originated in 1959. There was no playoff series held that first season, in ’59, and there was also none held in the 2020 COVID-19 erased season… There are three teams tied for Most City Series Titles Won, all with eight: Flames, Knights and Stars: Knights (all won by Manager Bob Rotondi [1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1988, 2000, 2008, 2019]; Flames (all won by Manager Deano Summers [1996, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2021, 2022]; Stars (1973, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1999)… This was a milestone year for the most prominent figure in Malden Babe Ruth League history, Knights iconic manager Bob Rotondi. It was his – no typo – 60th year at the helm, having assumed command in 1964. This must be a record in at least New England history, if not national. Though Bob was unable to attend most games in person this year due to health challenges, he was there in spirit and kept informed by his top assistants, including Paul Maccioli… Malden High School will have quite a one-two punch on PILOTS ARE NUMBER ONE! The Pilots won the 2023 Malden Babe Ruth League City Series Playoff Championship on Wednesday night and were greeted by Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. Shown above after the game, from left to right: Front row: Remy Laughton, David Ruane, Ryan McMahon, Josiah Silva and Artemjs Jumutcs; back row: assistant coach Timmy Cervera, manager Nolan Bagley, Nico Loconte, Charlie Govostes, J aylen Rivera-Fuent es , Matthew Candelario Da Costa, Coby Cook, Matthew Maltese and assistant coach Patrick Ruane. (Advocate Photos) the pitching mound next season and for some after that with the title finals aces from this year’s finals on the mound next spring: Returning sophomore Ryan McMahon, had a fine season this past spring (3-3). He pitched for the Pilots Wednesday. Chiefs starter Ryan Bowdridge is an incoming freshman for Malden High. Bowdridge, already 6-2, will also be competing for quarterback on the Malden High varsity football team when preseason camp opens on August 17. ‘RYAN SQUARED’: COMPETITORS NOW, TEAMMATES NEXT: Wednesday night they were competitors; moving forward, they will be teammates for Malden High School Baseball as two of top players in the Greater Boston League (GBL) next spring 2024 and beyond. Shown at left: Ryan Bowdridge will be a freshman at Malden High School beginning this fall. Shown at right: Ryan McMahon will be a sophomore this coming school year and a returning varsity player next spring. (Advocate Photo) Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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