The Rutherford Nationals won their opening playoff game 5-1 over Wallington behind the two-hit pitching of Pat Strehl and the timely hitting of Strehl and battery-mate Tim O’Brien. Strehl provided the winning margin in the first inning with a three-run triple down the right-field line, while O’Brien’s single and double set up the other two runs.
Shortstop Joe Pivinski accounted for Wallington’s only run with a home run in the fourth inning.