8.4
 Playoff Round 1 vs. Portland Panthers

The polite way to describe how Justin Swiderski pitched on Monday night is “effectively wild.” The harsh way to describe it is probably “he had no idea where the ball was going.” And the truth is probably somewhere in between.

Swiderski hit more batters (four) than he allowed hits (two) as Elmer’s defeated the Portland Panthers, 3-1, in the first round of the Manchester Twilight League playoffs.

While Swiderski fanned nine and didn’t surrender much hard contact, the hit batsmen and a few defensive mishaps allowed Portland to threaten with the bases loaded in the third and fourth innings. The Panthers pulled one run back in the third, but the rally was thwarted when left fielder Nick Dinino turned a double play on a running catch, doubling up the runner at third and missing a triple play by inches at second.

Dinino also led the charge offensively for Elmer’s, banging out two singles and two stolen bases from the leadoff spot. The Silver Bullets scattered their eight hits, but found extra bases at key times. Russell LaFleur doubled in the third, Dinino followed with an RBI single, and AJ Lowers brought him home with a double to the right-center field gap.

In the fourth, Jordan Sanchez ignited a two-out rally with a single, and he would score from first on Phil Gendron’s laser to right. Gendron slid into third with a triple and nodded intensely at Elmer’s dugout, sensing the insurance run would be all they needed.

Brandon Lagueux fashioned a solid outing for the Panthers, striking out seven while walking none and stranding five baserunners. Portland will face Willimantic in a knockout game Tuesday at 6 pm. Elmer’s advances to meet the top-seeded East Hartford Angels Wednesday at 6 pm.