THE LYNNFIELD 9-11-year-olds won the Distrcit 16 championship with their 16-1 win over Saugus on July 8. Lynnfield’s terrific postseason run came to end on July 17 when they fell to Danvers 16-15 in the Sectional Tournament. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNN — In a high-scoring affair, the playoff run came to an end for the Lynnfield 11-year old Little League All-Stars on July 17 as they were edged, 16-15, by Danvers National at Wyoma Field in Lynn in the Sectional 4 playoffs.
Things looked bleak for the team heading into the sixth inning as they trailed 16-8. However, they rallied for seven runs and the game ended with a throw out at home with the game-tying run trying to score.
“There was a ton of offense by both teams,” said Lynnfield head coach Mark Hudson. “It was a roller-coaster game but we made some mistakes out in the field that cost us.”
The Lynnfield offense had 17 hits led by Grant Hudson and Alexander Nisembaum who were both a perfect 3 for 3 at bat. Both players also knocked in two runs.
Justin Migliero and Luke McEwan also had big nights at the dish as they were both 2 for 3 with three RBI each.
Lynnfield finished 1-2 in Section 4 play. Danvers, meanwhile, lost its next game to Stoneham in the sectional finals.
On July 15, Lynnfield fell to Stoneham, 11-1, also at Wyoma Field.
“They have an excellent, fundamentally solid team,” said Hudson, about the eventual sectional champs.
Will Shields had the team’s lone run batted in while Lynnfield had eight total hits. Colin Morrison was Lynnfield’s only multiple hitter going 2 for 2.
Lynnfield won its first sectional game as they beat Saugus, 5-4, on July 14 also at Wyoma.
Ethan Detari was the winning pitcher in relief going the final 3 2/3 innings. He gave up one run, four hits, two walks and struck out seven.
“Ethan was on,” said Hudson. “He was averaging around 70 percent in strikes.”
Morrison was the starter going 1 2/3 innings while Chase Paton was the first reliever.
“All three combined to strike out 10 batters,” pointed out Hudson.
Lynnfield had eight hits total led by Hudson and Paton who were both 2 for 3. Migliero, McEwan, and Detari all had RBI singles.
On July 8, Lynnfield captured the District 16 title hammering Saugus, 16-1, in a four-inning mercy-rule game at Peabody West Field.
They mercy-ruled Saugus, 10-0, on July 1 at McArthur Park in Peabody as they ended up playing them in three-starlight games (Saugus came in second in the district and that is why they advanced).
In their second game of the tournament on June 27, they beat Peabody, 11-1, in a five-inning mercy-rule game at Swampscott Middle School.
The first game of the tournament took place on June 24 at Hurd Park in Saugus as Lynnfield blasted Salem, 27-3, in a four-inning mercy-rule game.
“I was very proud of the team,” said Hudson. “In the districts, we hit the heck out of the ball. It was our second district title in the last 10 years.”
Overall, the team went 5-2. Hudson led the team in batting average at .733 while Migliero was second at .706. Detari was third at .538.
Migliero led the team in runs batted in with ten while McEwan had nine. Shields was third with eight.
Paton went 2-1 on the hill while Morrison and Detari were both 1-0.