Lynn 13’s prevail in two-day affair with Beverly/Salem

BEVERLY – It took nearly 24 hours and two field locations to complete, but the Lynn 13-year-old Babe Ruth team got the victory it set out for two nights ago. After a vicious storm on Monday forced the game to be postponed until Tuesday evening, Lynn managed to hold on for an 11-8 victory over Beverly/Salem at Balch Park.Day one of the lengthy contest took place at Beverly High’s Cooney Field. There was certainly no shortage of offense, as the teams combined for 13 runs in the two and two-thirds innings that beat the rain, thunder and lightning.After a quick Lynn run in the top of the first (an RBI groundout from Kyle Bernadini scoring Cesar Carrero), the hosts grabbed three runs off Lynn starter Yseal Martinez. Xavier Cole and Matt Enos reached on a walk and bunt hit, respectively, before Martinez struck out the next two batters.An ensuing strikeout that got past the catcher would lead to Beverly/Salem’s first run as everybody reached safely, before Martinez surrendered two bases-loaded walks, plating two more. Again, the Lynn bats picked up the slack to get the lead back in the second.Billy Allen walked to begin the frame before being sacrificed to second on a bunt by Quinn Brinkler. Martinez singled Allen to third before Liam Johnston drew a walk to load the bases. A passed ball scored Allen and advanced the others into scoring position, leading to a two-run single from Carrero.The hosts got the lead right back in their half as Cole and Enos came around to score on a single from Cedric Gutierrez. The offensive barrage kept going as Lynn scored four more runs before the elements put a premature end to the evening.Bernadini walked and advanced to second on a Joe Marini sacrifice bunt before coming in to score on an RBI single from Briston Maynard, who alertly advanced to second on the throw home. Back-to-back walks to John Nicosia and Martinez loaded the bases before McGrath caught Johnston looking for out No. 2.With the rain pounding down, Carrero delivered a three-run single down the right field line, opening the lead up, but effectively ending the day. When things picked back up the following evening, it would be one big inning that proved the difference for the visitors.After Beverly/Salem got the final out of the re-started third, it proceeded to get one back off Lynn’s Tommy Cash. James Reynolds tagged a two-out RBI triple to right field, scoring Matt Pittman from second.Three innings later, the Lynn offense broke through for three runs off Johnston. Travis Ryan led off with a free pass before stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball. An RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Bernadini scored Ryan.Tony Rodriguez and Maynard kept the pressure on Beverly/Salem, reaching on a walk and single, respectively. Nicosia followed with the knockout punch, skying a deep fly to left that Enos couldn’t find in the sun. It went for a double.The hosts responded with two in their half of the sixth, cutting the lead to three. Reynolds singled and stole second before a strikeout and single by Gutierrez. Reynolds came in on a bunt play from Aneudy Espinal before Gutierrez scored on a perfectly executed double steal.Beverly/Salem had a chance to inch closer, loading the bases for Matt Collins. The nine-hitter ripped a liner to second that was snared by Nicosia and flipped to the shortstop at second base for a huge double play.The marathon victory improved Lynn to 3-1 this tournament season. The locals play again Wednesday against Saugus, back at Cooney Field.