Balanced Lynn Babe Ruth 13s attack leads to win over Swampscott

DANVERS – The 13-year-old Lynn Babe Ruth baseball team left no doubt in anybody’s minds that it is as well-rounded a team as any in the District 1 tournament on Wednesday evening at Twi Field. From the outset, Lynn’s offense showed great depth while starter Antonio Felix spun a gem on the way to a convincing 11-1 victory over Swampscott.After Felix finished a quick 1-2-3 first in which he made a stellar defensive play, running down a pop-up in foul territory down the first baseline, his offense got right to work in the bottom of the frame. Four runs would come in before Swampscott starter Josh Rubin could secure the second out.Things started with a walk to Tyler Way, who stole second and advanced to third on a mishap at second. Way would score on a third strike passed ball, which allowed Felix to reach second. Felix was picked off, though.After Herbie Newton reached on an error at third, back-to-back infield singles by Matt Lauria and Andrew Moccia loaded the bases for Jose Perez, who responded with a bloop single to right field for an RBI. Some defensive miscues from the visitors allowed Lauria and Moccia to score before inning’s end.The second inning brought two more runs for the home team as Lynn got a two run triple to right-center from Moccia, scoring Felix and Lauria, who reached on an error at second and intentional walk, respectively.”We came out swinging, which has been a constant for us,” said Lynn manager Steve Moccia. “We usually have been jumping out of the gates quickly, which has been really good for us.”Swampscott finally broke through for a run in the third with errant defense the unfortunate factor. A lead-off error at shortstop allowed Tyler Donovan to reach second. Ryan Donnelly followed with a single before advancing to second on defensive indifference. An error allowed Swampscott to score its lone run of the contest.”He was fantastic tonight,” said Moccia of Felix’s stellar outing. “I think that was the best I have seen him pitch. He’s our number one pitcher and tonight showed why.”Felix finished the game with just one hit allowed, struck out five and stranded five runners.Lynn got the run right back in its half as an RBI single from Newton scored Way, who led off with a triple. Felix went into lockdown mode, as did Swampscott’s David Peterson, who came on in relief after one and a third from Rubin.Lynn was able to wrap things up early in the bottom of the sixth as four more runs allowed the game to be called an inning early. Way swatted a two run single to right for the unconventional “walk-off” win.With the win, Lynn improves to 4-0 and plays again today at Twi Field (7) against a tough Marblehead opponent (3-1).”Hopefully the bats keep talking (Thursday) night and we clean up our defense a bit, because Marblehead is a tough team,” said Moccia.