THE LYNNFIELD Little League 9-year-old All-Stars went 2-2 in the new Battle of the Lake Tournament. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield 9-year old Little League All-Star team participated in the brand-new Battle of the Lake Tournament held in town.
The tournament used to be the Wyoma Tournament in Lynn but, when Wyoma didn’t want to do it any more, Lynnfield stepped up to become the new hosts.
Lynnfield ended up going 2-2 in the tournament as they lost to the eventual champions, Saugus, 15-7, in the semifinals at Newhall Field on July 14.
Saugus then defeated Peabody West in the title game.
“They have a very good team,” said Lynnfield manager Tuck Mackor. “They also had some hard-throwing pitchers and hit the ball hard.”
Up, 3-1 after the first inning, Saugus plated five runs in the top of the second to take control.
Lynnfield’s offense had eight hits in the game.
Jack Mackor, Tuck’s son, was 1 for 1 with two walks and he also scored twice. Dom Polcari was 1 for 2 with a walk as he had a two-run single in the fifth inning.
Cam Zuccaro had a bases-loaded walk for an RBI and he also had a single.
In the final game of pool play on July 12, Lynnfield blanked Marblehead, 10-0, in a four-inning mercy-rule game.
This game was played at Glen Meadow Park.
Jack Ervin was the star of this one pitching all four innings of no-hit ball. He walked two and struck out eight.
“He did a great job of locating his pitches,” recalled Mackor. “He was able to get ahead of the hitters.”
At bat, he also helped his own cause with a pair of walks.
Zuccaro was 1 for 1 with a walk and knocked in two. Mackor was 1 for 1 with a walk and he scored two times.
Polcari was 1 for 2 with a run scored while James Regan had a two-run double.
On July 9, Lynnfield was shut out, 13-0, at Newhall in a four-inning mercy-rule game.
“They had a good pitcher,” said Mackor. “They jumped out on us and hit the ball very well that game.”
Mackor and Regan had the two Lynnfield hits that game.
In the tournament opener on July 7, Lynnfield rolled over Winthrop, 15-5, in a four-inning mercy-rule game at Newhall Field. Irvin was the winning pitcher going 1.2 innings. He gave up two runs and one hit.
“We didn’t wan’t to pitch him too much to save him for other games,” explained Mackor.
Tristan Philbin and Mason MacDougall also pitched that game.
Lynnfield drew a tournament-high 11 walks to go with eight hits.
“We showed good discipline at the plate,” said Mackor, whose son walked three times and had one RBI.
Ervin led the offense going 2 for 3 with a team-high four RBI. Polcari was 1 for 1 with an RBI and he also scored twice.
Gianni Tiberi also had an RBI triple.
Coach Macker was happy with the way the tournament went in the inaugural year in town.
“It was a great success,” he said. “We had some great feedback and the volunteers really stepped up to make it a great event.”
Mack was happy with the way the team performed and would like to come back next summer when the players turn 10-years old.
“They start playing in the districts next year,” pointed out Macker.
Macker also wanted to thank his assistant coaches, Dave Polcari, Tony Howard and AJ Qualtieri for their help.
“It was a busy time for everybody because we also had three scrimmages before the tournament along with practices,” Macker pointed out.
More players on the roster included Gavin Howard, Morgan McMilan, Peter Dearth, Chris Saccardo, Bennett Mazza, Frankie Qualtieri and Matthias Ogren.