Lynnfield’s magical run comes to an end

LYNN – It looked as though it would be a Cinderella story, as the No. 20 Lynnfield team led by a run over top-seeded Austin Prep until the bottom of the sixth inning at Fraser Field on Wednesday.
But the magic ran out too soon. In the bottom of the sixth, Austin Prep (20-3) scored twice to take a one-run lead and eventually defeat the Pioneers, 4-3, in the semifinals of the Division 3 North tournament.
Despite the loss, it was an accomplishment for the Pioneers (12-12) to reach the semifinals. The team started out in rough shape, going 2-5 in its first seven games.
?We got a lot stronger as the year went on,” said Lynnfield coach John O?Brien. “My team has matured and you can see a huge difference from the start of the season to the finish.”
The Pioneers? bats were hot in the first two innings, as they got two runners on in the first and then scored three times in the second. Three Austin Prep errors and hits by Justin Juliano and Nick Colucci gave Lynnfield a 3-0 lead.
Austin Prep got a couple back in the bottom of the third, but through five innings, Lynnfield starter Colucci had allowed just two hits.
With two outs in the sixth, the Austin Prep comeback happened quickly. A single, walk and two RBI singles put the Cougars on top.
A single from Juliano in the top of the seventh gave the Pioneers some life, but their comeback ended as quickly as it started.
?I thought we had a shot at beating them,” said O?Brien. “We jumped out quick, drew blood and made some things happen. But then we started swinging at pitches we shouldn?t and laying off others, and we felt complacent. Play by play, (Austin Prep) got back into it. It wasn?t our day at the end.”
Colucci went the distance for the Pioneers, allowing five hits and striking out four.
?(Colucci) pitched a great ballgame,” said O?Brien.
The silver lining for the Lynnfield squad? It will be losing just three seniors from this year?s team, and only one regular starter. Pitcher Nick Pascucci, pitcher Greg Basilesco and Andrew Moorman are the only graduating members of the team.
?This is the youngest team I?ve coached since I?ve been here,” O?Brien said. “The seniors were great. They did everything we asked of them, and were real leaders. They took the bull by the horns.”
O?Brien has high hopes for the future of his team, as the Pioneers saw contributions from many juniors and sophomores throughout the season.
?This is a great group of kids, and a good group to coach” O?Brien said. “They made it fun to come to practices and games.
?These guys have come a long way, and I?m proud of them.”Katie Morrison may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @KatieMo61.