By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
PEABODY — On Sunday afternoon, the Lynnfield 12-year old Williamsport Little League baseball team hammered Winthrop, 14-2, at Ross Field in Peabody.
With that victory, Lynnfield improved to 3-1 in District 16 play.
“The game was closer than the final indicated,” said Lynnfield head coach Dave Polcari. “We were up 5-2 in the fourth but we broke it open in the fifth and sixth innings.”
Lynnfield plated five runs in the top of the fifth and three more in the top of the sixth.
Owen Burke was the winning pitcher improving to 2-1 in the tournament. He went all six innings allowing no earned runs, four hits, no walks and he struck out eight.
“He was terrific,” stated Polcari. “He was pumping strikes and changing speeds.”
Mike D’Amelio led the Lynnfield attack going 3 for 3 as he scored four times and knocked in one run. Joel Polcari also had a big day as he went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and one RBI. Dan Murphy led the team in RBI with three as he finished 2 for 3.
Paul Tappan was 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles while Chase Austin was 2 for 3.
Mike Mattia added a two-run double for his lone hit.
It was a nice bounce-back win for the team after losing a heartbreaking, 2-1 decision to Swampscott on July 7 at Grabowski Field in Saugus.
Both teams scored once in the first inning as Lynnfield scored its run on a fielder’s choice by Murphy that scored D’Amelio from third. D’Amelio reached base as he was hit by a pitch.
Swampscott took advantage of a couple of wild pitches to tie the game at one.
Swampscott then scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth. Jake Paster, who reached base on an error, scored from third on a ground ball to shortstop Will Noumi who threw it to the catcher but Paster beat the tag to end the game.
“All of the pitchers were fantastic,” said Polcari.
Tappan was the Lynnfield starter and went 4 1/3 innings. He gave up one run, and struck out 12 before reaching his pitch limit, and being replaced by Burke.
For Swampscott, Mike Hall went the first four innings allowing one run and striking out nine. Jaiden Oriakhi was the winner in relief going the final two frames allowing not hits.