THE LYNNFIELD 10-year-old All-Stars had a strong summer season making it to the District Finals. Pictured in the front row from left to right is Luke Hudson, Ben Halpern, Nolan Dubois, Charlie White, James Motzkin, Matty Cavallo, Keegan McLaughlin, Brett McMillan, Raymond Nguyen, William Butler, Matty Mattia and Zac Mancinelli. In the back row from left are coaches Sam White, Paul Dubois and Jimmy Motzkin. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNN — Despite losing its first game in the District 16 tournament, the Lynnfield 10-year old baseball All-Stars fought back and reached the district title game before falling in the district finals.
In the first game of the tournament, Lynnfield was shut out, 6-0, by Peabody at Berry Field in Lynn.
“We came out flat,” admitted Lynnfield head coach Sam White.
Peabody scored four runs in the first inning. They then scored once in the second and added one more in the fifth.
Lynnfield was held to three hits.
On June 29, they rebounded quite well and crushed Saugus, 20-3, also at Barry Field. This game was a mercy-rule game that ended in the middle of the third inning.
Lynnfield scored 16 times in the first inning and they added four more in the bottom of the second.
“It was a drastic turnaround from out first game,” recalled White, whose squad had 13 hits overall.
Zac Mancinelli led the attack going a perfect 3 for 3 with a team-high five runs batted in. He also scored twice.
Brett McMillan and Luke Hudson also had big games as each player went 2 for 2. McMillan had two RBI and also scored twice while Hudson scored twice and had one RBI.
Matt Cavallo was 2 for 3 with two RBI as he was the team’s fourth multiple hitter.
Charlie White was 1 for 1 with two walks and he scored all three times.
William Butler and Ben Halpern were both 1 for 2. Halpern had two RBI and scored twice while Butler’s hit was an RBI single.
Nolan Dubois pitched the first inning for the win. Butler pitched the second while Ray Nguyen pitched the third inning to end the game.
Lynnfield then clobbered Swampscott, 22-1, on June 30. That game was also a three-inning mercy-rule game and it took place at Wyoma Park in Lynn.
“It was a repeat of the Saugus game,” pointed out White.
Lynnfield had 19 hits led by White, Nguyen and Hudson who all went 3 for 3 at the dish. White had a team-high four RBI and scored all three times. Nguyen had one RBI and scored twice while Hudson knocked in two.
James Motzkin was 2 for 2 with one RBI while McMillan was 2 for 3 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Dubois went 2 for 4 with one RBI as six Lynnfield players finished with multiple hits.
Dubois was the winning pitcher going two innings while Keegan McLaughlin pitched the third.
On July 5, they avenged their opening loss to Peabody beating them, 7-3, at home at Nehall Park.
“That win meant a lot to us,” stated White. “They took us lightly.”
Lynnfield scored three times in the first and third innings. The other run came in the bottom of the fifth.
Peabody scored two in the first to take the early lead with their final run coming in the third.
Mancinelli led the offense going 1 for 1 with two walks. He had two RBI and scored all three times.
Motzkin was 1 for 2 with an RBI while McMillan was 1 for 3 with an RBI as Lynnfield finished with seven total hits.
Dubois was the winning pitcher going four innings. He gave up three runs (one earned), three hits, three walks and he fanned five.
Mancinelli got the save going the last two innings not allowing a run. He gave up one hit, one walk and did not strike anybody out.
In the semifinal game on July 6, Lynnfield defeated Winthrop up in Salem, 14-4, in a four-inning mercy-rule game.
After scoring one in the first, they scored five in the second, four in the third and four in the fourth. The Lynnfield offense had 11 hits led by Hudson and Butler who were both 2 for 2. Hudson scored twice and had one RBI while Butler had on run and one RBI.
McLaughlin was the team’s other multiple hitter going 2 for 3 with two RBI.
“It was a team win with everybody but two players having one RBI,” said White.
His son started the game on the hill and went the first 1 2/3 innings. McLaughlin pitched the next two innings while Nguyen pitched the final 1/3 of an inning.
In the District 16 final, Lynnfield lost to Peabody West, 8-4, on July 8 at Ross Park in Peabody.
“They were a phenomenal team from top to bottom,” said White, as Peabody West has been a powerhouse for years.
Peabody West scored twice in the first inning, once in the third, four times in the fifth and once in the sixth.
Lynnfield, who was the designated home team despite the game being played in Peabody, scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the sixth.
“I was proud that they never gave up,” said White.
Lynnfield had six hits led by Cavallo who went 2 for 3 with one RBI. Matt Mattia and Halpern were both 1 for 2. Halpern had a two-run single while Mattia had an RBI single.
Mancinelli was the losing pitcher going the first three innings. McMillan went 1 2/3 innings while McLaughlin pitched 2/3’s of an inning.
Nguyen pitched the top of the sixth.
“It was a great tournament,” said White, “They showed a lot of resiliency after that loss in the first game.”
Nguyen led the team in batting average at .667. Hudson,Mattia and Mancinelli were tied for second as each player hit .500.
Mancinelli led the team in runs batted in with 11.