Freshman DiPesa tosses one-hitter in Saugus win over Pope John

Just two days after sophomore Dan Groark tossed a nine-inning two-hitter, teammate Dominic DiPesa did him one better.The freshman righty allowed just an infield single while fanning 17, as Saugus blanked Pope John, 13-0, Saturday afternoon at World Series Park.”We have a young (pitching) staff,” said Sachems’ first-year coach Rich Angelo. “But to get back-to-back (performances) like we did from a sophomore and a freshman is incredible. They both have good stuff.”DiPesa, who has both of Saugus’ wins received the only runs he would need in the bottom of the first. Third baseman Vinny Talluto reached on a throwing error by Tigers shortstop Justin Nascimento. Second baseman Christian Fabrizio and first baseman K.J. Mills both got aboard via infield errors as well, with Talluto crossing the plate after the third miscue. Mills moved over to second on a passed ball, then scored on left fielder John Moore’s single.”We’re not a team that’ll tear the cover off the ball,” said Angelo. “We’re a team that scrapes and scratches for runs.”DiPesa worked himself out a huge jam in the top of the second. Designated hitter Steve Allesandro led with an infield pop that fell in between Fabrizio and shortstop Nick Freehling (the only Pope John hit on the day). Third baseman Brian Tatis walked, but the righty fanned pitcher Nick Kelley and centerfieler Brian Finnegan. He then plunked Nascimento to load the bases before striking out right fielder Chris Banks to put an end to the threat.”He struggled early with his control,” said Angelo of DiPesa. “But he battled, showed he wasn’t intimidated, and didn’t get flustered.”Pope John (1-3) again put a pair of runners on in the top of the third via walks, but DiPesa induced Tatis to ground to short to stop the damage.The Sachems added three more in the third to increase the lead to 5-0. Centerfielder Dave Witham, a transfer from Catholic Memorial, led the frame by knocking a homer that just landed inside the left field foul pole. Talluto and Fabrizio followed with singles, and Mills brought them both in with his double to right-center.”Witham’s been teriffic for us all year,” said Angelo of the centerfielder. “He has speed and power, and he’s one heck of a centerfielder. It’s great having him bat four times (in a game).Saugus put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth. Kelley was replaced by Nascimento, who allowed eight runs, including a bases-loaded single by Moore.DiPesa, who had fanned the side in the second, fourth, and fifth, did the same in the seventh against a trio of pinch hitters.