By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE — The Melrose 12-year-old Williamsport Little League baseball team cliched the District 12 title on July 9 as they shut out guest South Boston, 3-0, at Lewis Monk Field.
Melrose improved to 3-0, and beat South Boston for the second time as they defeated them 6-2, on July 2 in the first meeting.
Owen Pillsbury was the star of this one pitching a complete-game shutout. He went all six innings allowing three hits, no walks and he struck out 12.
“His fastball was on and his off-speed pitches were dancing,” said Melrose manager Dan Cordella. “He is allowed to throw 85 pitches and he ended up with 81.”
Melrose scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning and one run in the bottom of the fifth.
In the second, Tighe Lusas doubled to center and Joe Weaver walked. Pillsbury then hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Lusas to score. Alex Ogiba then had an RBI single to plate Weaver.
In the fifth, Eamonn Judge delivered an RBI single to score Pilsbury who singled earlier in the inning. Ogiba had a sacrifice bunt to put Pilsbury in scoring position.
Melrose finished the game with six hits.
“It was a very quick game that lasted just over an hour,” pointed out Cordella.
The Section 3 tournament is taking place at Deb Samson Park in Sharon.
Melrose faced Walpole on July 16 and Needham on July 17 (results not available as of press time).
On July 18, Melrose takes on Parkway at 5:30 p.m.
At noon on Saturday, the first and second-place teams will play for the sectional title.
Massachusetts’ four sectional winners will meet in a state championship tournament with the winner advancing to New England Regionals where one team will move onto Williamsport for the national tournament.