The Giants, behind complete games by Steve Lounello and Bob Bolt, forged their way into the finals with 4-1 and 7-2 victories over the Blue Thunder Saturday at New Scotland Town Park.

The Giants will play the winner of the Marlins-Yankees series, which will conclude Sunday at New Scotland. Game time set for 12:30 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it will be played immediately after Game 1. The Yanks won the opener of the best-of-3 series Saturday, 6-5.

In Game 1, Lounello followed up his no-hitter of three weeks ago by scattering five hits, three coming off the bat of his 35 Division Cubs teammate Ron Massaroni. Despite those three hits, the Thunder didn't score until the seventh inning when Stevie showed signs of tiring and walked three before inducing a grounder to Wayne Phillips at third to end the game. The other two hits came from Tim Brown and Jon Martin.

The Giants, meanwhile, were led by the big bat of first-baseman Doug Reisinger, whose booming two-run double staked Lounello to a 2-0 lead in the third. Bolt singled to lead off the inning before being forced on a grounder by Tony Nardacci. Tony then stole 2nd and 3rd before Paul Scutieri walked and stole 2nd. After the 2nd out, Reisinger doubled to the gap in left-center off CDMSBL Hall of Famer Jim Ansel, who had stifled teams all year in tossing a no-hitter, a 1-hitter and a 2-hitter among his other victories.

The Giants added two more in the 5th. Bolt walked to start the inning. Nardacci and Scutieri followed with singles, Bolt scoring on Paul's hit. Reisinger capped the scoring with a fielder's choice grounder to 2nd base and Lounello would make those runs stand in earning the Game 1 victory in this best-of-three series.

In the nightcap, Bolt scattered 9 hits and left 10 Thunder runners stranded in gutting out the complete-game victory.

Bolt was backed by Tony Nardacci, who drove in three runs with two ground outs and a single, but it was Wayne Phillips who provided the pop to back Bolt's efforts on the hill. Phillips singled twice, doubled, scored three times and drove in a run as the Giants moved their overall season record to 15-5. Reisinger also singled twice and scored a run. Mike Kane singled, walked, was hit by a pitch and scored twice and Jim Whitford drove in two runs with a sac fly and ground out.

Also for the Giants, with catcher Bill Smith on vacation in Maine, Ron Smaka caught both games, not an easy task for any catcher at any level in baseball.

This marks the third straight year the Giants have advanced to the finals. In 2009 as the Hornets franchise, they beat the A's to win the title before being dethroned by the Marlins last year when the Hornets became the Giants.

For the Blue Thunder, they left 21 runners on base over the two games. In the nightcap, Don Ball led the way with three singles and a run scored. Manager Bob Weitz singled, walked twice and also scored.

The Blue Thunder came in as the second seed behind the regular-season champion Marlins. Weitz has put together not only one of the most competitive teams in the 45 Division, but also one of the classiest. Thanx to Pete and Monique Geannelis for inviting the Giants to their team's post-game meal. Somehow, I think Matt Kelly's wife, Sharon, had something to do with it despite her not being able to make the games. If so, a hearty thanks to you Sharon. You have all created some great memories.

On to the finals next weekend, also scheduled for New Scotland Town Park. Details of the finals have yet to be determined, but will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.

Jim Konstantakis
Giants