ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
Lynn pitcher Luke Mannion earned the win over Danvers in the opening round of the Babe Ruth District 1 tournament on Thursday.
By MIKE ALONGI
PEABODY — Thanks in part to a massive nine-run first inning, the Lynn 13 year-old Babe Ruth all-stars beat Danvers, 14-7, in the opening game of the District 1 tournament at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.
“It was a great all-around team win for us,” said Lynn coach Dave Galeazzi. “It’s huge to get that first win in the tournament, and to do it in such a solid fashion was great. There’s still plenty of stuff to work on though, we did let Danvers get back in it today.”
Catcher Nico Galeazzi, shortstop Jared Defillipo and second baseman Jeff Hill each notched two RBI for Lynn, while centerfielder Kyle Durant, rightfielder Andrew Luciano, leftfielder Sean Anderson, first baseman Aidan Dow, pitcher Luke Mannion and third baseman Mark Tobin each had one RBI.
Mannion also got the start for Lynn, pitching the first four innings and giving up six runs on four hits. Dow came in to pitch the final three innings in relief, giving up one run. But coach Galeazzi said the most important stat for the pitchers is the number of walks — just two between them.
“We’ve told these kids numerous times that you can’t defend walks, you need to throw strikes,” said Galeazzi. “Luke and Aidan each walked one batter and we can’t ask for more than that. They let the defense make plays and they responded.”
For Danvers, Alex Pecukonis led the way with two RBI. Andrew Chronis, Ryan Overberg and Griffen Geraghty each had one RBI.
Lynn got things started right away in the top of the first inning. After a single and two walks to start the inning, Dow, Mannion and Defillipo strung together back-to-back-to-back RBI singles before Tobin drew an RBI walk to make it 4-0. With the bases still loaded, Hill lined a two-run single to right field. Durant and Luciano each added RBI singles before a run scored on a passed ball to give Lynn a 9-0 lead after a half an inning.
Danvers started its comeback attempt in the bottom of the second. Matt Loughlin got hit by a pitch to start the inning, then Chronis came up and belted an RBI triple into the leftfield corner to put Danvers on the board. Overberg came up next and knocked Chronis in with an RBI single to make it 9-2.
After Lynn added two more runs in the top of the fourth, Danvers made it interesting four runs in the bottom of the inning. Danvers loaded the bases and grabbed two runs on passed balls before Pecukonis hit a two-run triple to right field to make it 11-6.
An RBI single by Geraghty in the bottom of the sixth made it a four-run game, but that’s as close as Danvers got.
In the top of the seventh, Lynn put the game away with a RBI double by Anderson and a two-run triple by Galeazzi.
With the win, Lynn is now 1-0 in the double-elimination tournament and will face Saturday (5).
“I haven’t seen much of them yet, but I’m staying to watch them now,” Galeazzi said as Saugus warmed up in the background. “I know they had a lot of power hitters last year, so if they have the same kids we’ll be in for a battle.”
