Saugus 13s head to New England Regionals

Last July, Saugus Little League baseball fans were a divided group, with half cheering on Saugus National and half hitching their wagon to the Saugus American kids when they met in the District 16 final.This year it’s a different story. The two all-star teams have meshed into one talented Babe Ruth 13-year-old all-star team that’s heading to the New England Regionals Thursday after capturing a state title last weekend.”We knew when we mixed these two teams together, we would have a very good team,” said Anthony Guthro, who co-manages the team with Derek Sweeney. “We knew we would have great pitching and great hitting.”Guthro said one of the most challenging aspects of the tournament run has been deciding who the top nine are on a team that goes 12 deep.”We’re not just nine deep. We have a solid bench that definitely contributes, not only with speed, but with everything else,” Guthro said.The Saugus team boarded a town-owned mini-bus Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at World Series Park and headed to Stanley Park in Westfield. Saugus’ first game is today (Friday) at 4 p.m. against a team from Portland, Maine.In addition to Lynn and Portland, Maine, there will be teams from Greenwich, Conn.; Keene, N.H.; Cranston, R.I.; Westfield (the host team); and Vermont.Saugus has a formidable pitching staff led by Dominic Dipesa and Nick Antenucci. Both are righties.”They both throw very hard,” Guthro said. “They do have a sneaky curveball, but both are very hard throwers. Both of them aren’t afraid of pressure. They can pitch in tight situations as well as easy situations. They don’t get rattled.”Catcher Nick Enos gives Saugus a strong third arm. When Enos is on the mound, Nick Desimone is behind the plate. Guthro said in addition to being a good catcher, Enos also has a good bat.The rest of the infield includes Ryan Hennihan, a third baseman, who hit a two-run shot over the fence in his last year. Dipesa and Antenucci alternate at shortstop, depending on who’s pitching; Nick Sweeney has been getting the job done at second; and Dan Trentsch has found a home at first base.The outfield features Anthony Finnochiaro in left, A.J. Guthro in center and Justin DeSantis in right. All three are loaded with speed. Finnochiaro also provided some power at the plate, but at the same time, he can play small ball when the situation is right. Guthro is the leadoff hitter and DeSantis has probably the strongest arm on the team, according to Guthro. Shawn Withrow gives Saugus another big bat and a fourth pitcher. Withrow was called up for the tournament because two other players, Cam Ferry and Joe Russo, quit. Joining Guthro and Sweeney in the manager/coaching ranks is Alex Dipesa.