By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE — Last year as 10-year-old’s, the Melrose Little League All-Stars lost in the Sectional 3 final to Needham. This summer, as 11-year old’s, the team reached the same benchmark falling in the Sectional 3 final.
The championship game of the Section 3 final was in town at Lewis Monk Field as Melrose faced Parkway on July 13.
Parkway, who was the designated home team by winning the coin toss, ended up holding on late for a 3-2 win.
“We had bases loaded with one out in the top of the sixth inning,” pointed out Melrose head coach Eric Drogan, who was coaching the team for the second year. “However, we were not able to push the game-tying run home. It was a real heartbreaking way to lose.”
Melrose had five hits in the game with the team’s lone multiple hitter being Griffin Dietrich who was a perfect 2 for 2 with a walk and one run batted in.
Pitcher Charlie Palmieri went all five innings. He gave up three runs, five hits, no walks and he struck out three.
“Charlie pitched great,” stated Drogan, whose team went 2-2 in the sectionals.
On July 12 in the semifinal game, Melrose defeated Charlestown, 12-8, also at Lewis Monk Field.
“We drew 12 walks, which was the key to the win,” said Drogan.
The offense had 12 hits as well led by Will Weaver who was 2 for 2 with a walk and two RBI. Palmieri was 1 for 2 with a walk as was Anthony Ortiz. Ortiz also knocked in one run.
Ian Drogan and Dietrich were both 1 for 3 at the dish as Dietrich had one RBI.
The winning pitcher was reliever Luciano Turco who allowed just one run in his two innings of work.
On July 11, Melrose shut out Hopkinton, 2-0, at Conway Field in Somerville in the second game of the sectionals.
Drogan was the star of this one pitching all six innings. He gave up eight hits, one walk and he fanned three.
“Ian threw a lot of strikes and the defense was great behind him,” stated coach Drogan, as Melrose played an error-free game.
Melrose won despite having just three hits.
In the opening game of the sectional, also at Conway Field, Melrose was shut out, 10-0, by Parkway on July 10. That was a five-inning mercy-rule game.
“They pulled away scoring five runs in the fifth inning,” recalled Drogan. “We also wanted to save our pitchers for the later games after we got down.”
Parkway raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
In the District 12 championship game on July 1 and 2, Melrose beat Charlestown, 16-1, at Lewis Monk Field. This game had to be played on two days because of darkness.
The Melrose offense pounded out 15 hits with three multiple hitters: Dietrich, Ortiz and Matty Chan were all 2 for 3. Ortiz reached base three times as he also walked and he had one RBI.
Drogan reached base twice going 1 for 2 with a walk and he had two RBI. Junior Martin was 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Palmieri was the winning pitcher in relief as he pitched the final two frames allowing one run.
On June 27, Melrose beat Charlestown again, this time in a game held in the North End of Boston at Langone Park. The final score was 16-3 in a five-inning mercy-rule.
“This game was closer than the final might show,” said Drogan, as the game was tied at three heading into the fourth inning. “We scored 10 runs in the fourth to make it 13-3 at that point.”
Melrose then scored three more runs in the fifth.
Ortiz, who started, was the winning pitcher going 3.2 innings.
The offense had nine hits as Palmieri and Wyatt King were both 2 for 3 with three RBI each. Palmieri also walked to reach base three times.
Nicky Vogerman drew a bases-loaded walk for an RBI.
Logan Dodge was 1 for 3 with one RBI.
“We have a small district so that that is why we only had to play two games,” explained Drogan, whose squad finished 4-2 overall.
The two other players on the roster were outfielders Caz Grymek and Davis Brown.
“Davis did a great job in center field and Caz did a lot of good things for us as well,” said Drogan.
Drogan also wanted to thank his assistant coaches, Anthony Palmieri and John Orlandella for their help.
“The competition was stronger in the sectionals than last year when we lost to Needham in the sectional championship game,” said Drogan. “I really am having a lot of fun coaching the kids and hoping to get to coach them next year.”
Next year, the team will be in the Williamsport Tournament and Drogan hopes that the kids can draw inspiration from the Braintree team that made it to Williamsport this year.