Home run by Zeuli, 3 double plays spark Peabody National over East Lynn

Pinpoint pitching and Gold Glove defense by both the Peabody National Little League All-Stars and East Lynn created a 0-0 tie after three innings before the Nationals turned up the heat in a 7-0 win Monday at Wyoma’s warm Reinfuss Field.Click here for a photo gallery.Peabody advances to face Swampscott on Saturday (site and time TBA).Peabody packed three runs into the fourth inning when 11-year-old Mason Zeuli rocked a homer over the left-field fence. Then Scott Rochon walked and Alex Fossa ripped a single to right before each scored on a Dave Pence 2-run double.East Lynn had talent and heart but bad luck while dropping out of All-Star play with a 1-2 record.Coach Bill Allen said, “The score is not indicative of how well we played. But Peabody did come up with three great double plays to snuff out our efforts.”For example, Lynn’s terrific catcher named “ARod” (his real name actually is Alex Rodriguez) slammed a single in the bottom of the fourth, but Kevin DePena smacked a hard ground ball into a double play.In the top of the fifth, Peabody made it 5-0 when talented hitter Tyler MacGregor lofted a long double to right center to score Will Diezemann, who had walked. Jack Hamel’s infield hit scored MacGregor.MacGregor, who wears the number 12, celebrated his 12th birthday Monday, the day of the game. His dad Kevin MacGregor is a former Lynn resident.East Lynn’s fifth started well when Abrar Jalal and Chris Johnson drew walks. But Luke Boiselle hit the ball hard to sure-handed shortstop Jake Gustin (who had been the starting pitcher). Gustin gloved it on the run and sped quickly to second for the forceout and throw to first for another DP. Billy Allen, a standout in all three games, bounced to Gustin, who reenacted his run, tag, throw play to end the inning.Gustin again displayed his fast feet in the top of the sixth, running out a triple, taking the ball off the back on the throw-in, and then dashing to the dish for another run. DeMayo walked and was chased home on a Brian Barrett two-bagger. It was 7-0 now.Skipper Jim Mitchell’s Lynners battled back in the final frame when Emil Rossi pushed the outfield fence back two inches with his hard drive. Ty Johnson got hit by a pitch and Rodriguez rapped the ball hard ? but to the mound as the ball zipped from pitcher to third to first for another DP.Even DePena’s sizzling line drive final out to Peabody outfielder Josh Keizer almost burnt a hole in Keizer’s mitt. It was just one of those days for East Lynn.