By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — It was a busy three weeks for the Lynnfield 10-year-old Little League All-Star team as they played 10 total games. They opened District 16 play back on June 21 and finished up in the Section 4 tournament on July 13.
Lynnfield won the district going 6-1. Then, in the sectionals, they went 1-2.
“Our goal was to win the district,” said head coach Casey Paton. “I was proud of that, especially because we had to win five-straight games in order to do it.”
Section 4 games all took place at Pollard Field in Billerica. In their final game on Sunday, Lynnfield was eliminated by Danvers American, 10-0, in a four-inning mercy-rule game.
“We left seven runners on base,” pointed out Paton. “They have a good team and we got down 4-0 in the first inning.”
Danvers then took command scoring six runs in the third inning.
Lynnfield had three hits in the game led by Bruno Palumbo as the shortstop-pitcher went 2 for 2.
The day before, Lynnfield lost, 12-2, in a four-inning mercy-rule game.
“It was 5-2 heading into the third inning and they scored seven runs,” pointed out Paton. “We gave up three unearned runs in the first.”
Palumbo led the offense again, going 2 for 2 with a run scored. Maverick Ward had an RBI double to plate Will O’Brien, who tripled.
In the first game of the sectionals on July 11, they defeated Reading 7-5.
“That was a very impressive win,” said Paton. “Reading has always had a strong program and we also had to deal with a 40-minute rain delay in the middle of the game.”
Lynnfield scored three runs in the top of the fourth, two in the fifth and two more in the sixth.
Reading scored three in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the sixth as Matt Shields made a catch in right field to end the Reading threat and the game.
Palumbo was 2 for 3 with a run scored and one RBI. Paul Deleo had an RBI single in the sixth while Corbin O’Bleanes had a run batted in on a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Two Lynnfield runs scored on an error while the other run scored on a wild pitch.
Jason Yunes was the winning pitcher in relief as he gave up on earned run, four hits, three walks and he did not strike anybody out.
In the District 16 title game on July 6, Lynnfield steamrolled Saugus, 16-1, in Swampscott. This was a three-inning mercy-rule game.
Lynnfield had 12 hits Deleo, Yunes and Charlie O’Hara were all 2 for 2 at the dish. Deleo knocked in three runs while Yunes and O’Hara each had two RBI.
“It was the culmination of winning five straight after we lost the second game,” said Paton, as his squad celebrated.,
Lynnfield had to beat Saugus twice in two days as they beat them, 10-6, also in Swampscott on July 5.
O’Bleanes was the winning pitcher going 5.2 innings. He gave up three runs and fanned two.
The offense had six hits led by Yunes who went 2 for 2 with three runs batted in. Palumbo reach base three times while Shields had a key two run single.
At Barry Field in Lynn on July 2, Lynnfield hammered Wyoma, 20-2, in a five inning mercy-rule game.
Lynnfield, who had 14 hits, closed the door in this one by scoring 11 runs in the fifth inning.
Bryce Pagos was 3 for 4 with two RBI while O’Hara went 2 for 3 with four RBI. Palumbo was 3 for 4 with three RBI while O’Bleanes was also 3 for 4 with one RBI.
Yunes was the winning pitcher not allowing a run in 3.1 innings.
On July 1, Lynnfield blanked Peabody, 5-0, in town at Newhall Park.
O’Bleanes was the story of this one. He pitched 5.2 innings giving up just one hit and fanning seven. At bat he helped his own cause going 2 for 3 with two RBI.
On June 29, Lynnfield beat Swmpscott, 14-3, at Pine Hill in Lynn. Palumbo was a perfect 3 for 3 with one RBI. Shields was 2 for 3 with two RBI while Bryce Paton was 1 for 2 with one RBI.
Brendan McMahon was also 1 for 2 with two runs scored.
Max Polansky was the winning pitcher
Lynnfield lost its lone district game on June 27 as they were shutout, 2-0, by Wyoma in West Peabody.,
In the district opener on June 21, they beat Peabody, 8-1, at Pine Hill.
O’Bleanes was the winning pitcher going five frames. He gave up one hit and struck out 11. He also went 1 for 2 with two RBI.
Palumbo was 1 for 1 with two runs while Paton was 1 for 2 with one RBI.
Coach Paton enjoyed working with the kids this summer and hopes to return when they are 11-year-old’s next year.