St. Mary's Express clinched a play-off spot with back-to-back victories over the weekend. In the first game, played at the junior high school, St. Mary's defeated St. Gertrude's 9-7, avenging an earlier season loss to the Bayville squad. Matt Fox again went the distance, scattering nine hits in gaining his third win of the year. With both teams scoring in every inning, the score was tied at 7 after four innings. Danny Maimone walked leading off the fifth inning for St. Mary's and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Ryan Drago singled in an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Express, whose defense has failed them at times this year and had made four errors in the first four innings Saturday afternoon, turned in several brilliant plays late in the game to preserve the victory. First a diving stop by third baseman Ryan Meaney saved two runs. Then two clutch plays by second baseman Drago saved two or three more. But saving the best for last, shortstop Chris Imperiale's diving catch of a line drive headed to the left center-field gap, saved the tying runs from scoring in the seventh inning. Hitting stars were aplenty, led by Meaney with three hits and four RBIs. Matt Horne and Ryan Drago each had two hits and two RBIs. In a must-win situation St. Mary's stayed alive, needing one more win Sunday at St. Aidan's.

Under bright sunshine, the Express completed the suspended game of April and then started the regularly scheduled game, knowing they needed to win to make the playoffs a possibility. Playing shorthanded again, with several starters missing, including an injured Patrick Kelly, the Express defeated St. Aidan's 7-6 in a game that wasn't decided until the final pitch. A 16-hit attack, led by Ryan Meaney again, and Tommy Matesich (three hits apiece) was too much for St. Aidan's to overcome. Ryan Drago gained his first victory of the season with relief help from Chris Imperiale.

Danny Maimone's mammoth blast leading off the fourth inning gave St. Mary's a 5-3 lead. After a Meaney double, Drago singled to extend the lead to 6-3. Later Maimone was hit by a pitch and driven in by Meaney for what proved to be the eventual winning run. Second baseman Greg Roberts sparkled in the field and contributed two hits and two RBIs to the victory. With St. Christopher's defeating St. Dominic's 5-4 later in the day (avoiding a four-way tie for second place), the long battle to gain a spot in the playoffs was accomplished by St. Mary's. First play-off game next Saturday.

A coin flip will determine play-off seedings.