Lynn Shore LL rides strong defensive play past Lynnfield

LYNN – Defense is often the most unappreciated component in baseball. Everyone knows that good pitching beats good hitting; and everyone knows that a well-placed three-run homer can turn the tide in a game.But defense is what won Lynn Shore its 5-1 District 16 Little League all-star opener over Lynnfield. Simply put, Shore made some nice plays while Lynnfield allowed three unearned runs in the game at Pine Hill?s Spagnoli Field.It wasn?t as if Shore?s Max Gieg was getting rocked. He pitched well, striking out seven batters in 5 2/3 innings.?He?s a beast,” said manager Mark Sullivan. “He pitched well for us.”But in a game when neither side really belted the ball around, one play in the fourth inning really helped decide the game. Lynn Shore was already up 4-0 when, with none out and a runner on first, Lynnfield?s Liam Farrell hit a rocket back to the box that ricocheted off Gieg?s foot and drifted toward second base.Jomar Moreta caught the ball and went right to second to tag the bag. He then threw across his body to first in time to nail Farrell for the double play.?Jomar is always thinking one or two steps ahead out there,” said Sullivan. “He anticipates things really well.”Considering the next Lynnfield hitter, Danny Mack, blooped a double to right, the double play turned out to be crucial.On the other hand, errors in each of the third and fourth innings allowed Lynn Shore to score four runs — with only one of them earned.In the third, with runners on second and third and one out, Wando Perez hit a shot that Lynnfield?s third baseman couldn?t handle. It bounced into left field, allowing two runs to score.An inning later, again with two runners on, Gieg (who had three RBI to go along with his stellar pitching) singled to left with runners at first and second and two out.One run would have scored anyway, but the ball got past the left fielder, allowing for the second one to come home.Gieg knocked home a big run in the top of the sixth after Lynnfield had scored in the bottom of the fifth on a single by Connor Hines.Lynnfield?s Ricky Gerardi pitched well, striking out seven in five innings.Shore is back in action Thursday. Lynnfield is back at it Saturday against Pine Hill.