Saugus Babe Ruth 15s off to impressive start

LYNN – The District 1 Babe Ruth tournament began on Friday evening with the Saugus 15-year-old all-stars making an intimidating first impression following its 14-2 victory over Danvers at Clancy Field.Saugus put on a show at the plate, recording 16 hits while taking advantage of eight defensive miscues from the hosts who were discombobulated from the start.Every batter in the visitors’ lineup reached base at least once.”It was certainly a nice way to start the tournament,” said coach Tom Wood. “An offensive showing like this provides us with a lot of hope going forward.”A two-run top of the first preceded a four spot in the second and three more in the third for the visitors.Brenden Patterson (3 for 5, 2 runs, RBI) began the onslaught with a one-out single before stealing second and scoring on a RBI base knock from Steve Ruggiero. The latter would come across after Danvers was caught throwing the ball around.From their respective spots in bottom of the the batting order, Erik Dicristoforo (walk) and Nick Rapsomanikis (error) reached and scored on a Nick Rusconi (2 for 4, 2 runs, 4 RBI) single in the second. Patrick MacDonald added a RBI groundout in the frame.Dicristoforo tacked on a two-run single in the third, scoring James Kelble (2 for 3, 2 runs) and Dan Barletta who recorded base hits shortly beforehand.”I tried setting it up today so they could serve as table setters from the very bottom of the order,” explained Wood of Dicristoforo and Rapsomanikis, who combined for four hits and as many runs.With the lead steadily increasing, MacDonald continued to have his way with the host’s bats, who could muster just one hit in its first three trips to the plate.Sean Rooney blooped a single into center to begin the bottom of the first before the Saugus-lefty retired six straight batters, including three on just seven pitches in the second. Two of MacDonald’s seven strikeouts came in the ensuing inning.”When he has his command he is very effective and he came out throwing strikes tonight,” lauded Woods. “The defense made the plays behind him which is always nice to see.”Following a single from Shane Hancock in the fourth that scored Kyle Wood and Kelble, the visitor’s bats were finally held in check during its next two trips.Danvers finally broke through for two runs in the bottom of the fifth.Matt Rando and Joe Soucy reached on a single and walk respectively to begin the frame before each moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt from Aiki Rogers.Nick Miraglia followed with a pinch-hit, two-run single to right field. The host’s fourth and final hit came from Weston MacMillion who led off the sixth.A three-run seventh put a bow on the Saugus victory.Rapsomanikis plated Jordan Lavino on a single before Rusconi and Patterson recorded consecutive run-scoring doubles to center and left respectively.