Having clinched a playoff spot the prior week, the Sons of Italy-Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions took the field and played their regular season games for pride. The result was a doubleheader victory over the Blue Sox (15-3 and 17-14), at Mansfield in Massapequa Park.

In the opener, the Columbus Lodge scored fast and early. With Joe Pasale and Dave Saviano on base, Daron Tripoli blasted a first inning three-run home run (his 13th). In the third inning, Ron Gandolfo's 14th home run of the year extended the Lions' lead to 7-3. Over the final two innings, the Lions' scored eight runs and cruised to a 15-3 victory. Massapequa's Andy Poulin (three hits, three runs, two RBIs) and Glenn Merto (three hits, three runs, two RBIs) lead the Lions' hit attack.

For Columbus Lodge pitcher Lou Roseto (10-2) the victory was his sixth straight. The 51-year-old Roseto allowed only three runs and has had an electrifying 3.5 earned run average over his last four starts. Among the fans who came to cheer was his brother Frank "the chicken man" Roseto. Brother Frank graced the outfield turf for the Columbus Lodge in the late 1980s. "It was great seeing 'Frankie chicken,'" said Jeff Saviano.

Golden Lions' Gandolfo made sure the final game of the regular season one for the ages. Gandolfo hit a two-run home run in a five-run first inning, to give the Columbus Lodge the early lead. After the Blue Sox scored seven unanswered runs, to take a 7-5 lead, the Lions roared in the third inning. Saviano blasted his eighth homerun of the season and Gandolfo hit his second two-run home run of the game to put the team ahead 8-7.

The Blue Sox wouldn't quit and tied the score at 9-9 as the Golden Lions batted in the sixth inning. Lions' captain Ed Bochynski's one out single was the first of nine consecutive hits and eight runs; Gandolfo's three-run home run (his 17th) put the icing on the cake. Ahead 17-9, pitcher "Hippie Tony" Novarro (7-7) was touched up for five runs in the bottom of the sixth, but was able to bear down in the seventh and retire the Blue Sox to preserve the win.

Gandolfo's four home runs in a double header set a new Columbus Lodge record. During the second game, he became only the second player in Lodge history to hit three home runs in one game; teammate Tripoli accomplished the feat on July 5, 1998. Golden Lions legend Joe Contorno (Gandolfo's uncle) was among the spectators who witnessed the event.

The two victories give the Columbus Lodge a second place finish in the South Shore Softball League. The team enters this weekend with a best-of-three playoff series beginning on Sunday. Lions' ace pitcher Roseto is scheduled to pitch the opener.

Other OSIA news: The 3rd Annual Sons of Italy-Arthritis Foundation Charity Softball Game will take place on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa. Pro-wrestler Sunny Beach and WALK-FM's David Weiss will be on hand.