PHOTO BY ANNE MARIE TOBIN
Despite taking a loss on the mound, Peabody Blue pitcher Carson Browne went 2-for-3 at the plate against Saugus American on Wednesday.
By ANNE MARIE TOBIN
LYNN — The Saugus American all-stars had the bats going Wednesday night, pounding out 12 hits, including three home runs, in a 14-5 win over Peabody Blue at Gallagher Field.
Saugus shortstop Justin Palladino (3-for-4, 3 runs 4 RBI) had a big night, slugging two home runs, while first baseman Sean O’Rourke (2-for-3, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI) got in on the long-ball party with a fourth-inning two-run bomb high into the trees behind the right field fence that put the game out of reach at 12-3.
Saugus’ pitching wasn’t too shabby either. Starter Colin Ronan, Palladino and Tommy Falasca combined for the win, giving up just three earned runs on five hits, three walks and 13 strikeouts.
“Ronan was lights out with six straight strikeouts, then had some trouble in the third when we took him out, and Paladino did a great job in relief,” Saugus manager Charlie Bilton said. “It was a total team effort tonight. Justin hit a couple of big home runs, and Sean’s hit was just a mammoth blast.”
Ronan gave up a leadoff double to Peabody starter Carson Browne (2-for-3, 2 runs scored), who stole third and scored on an errant throw to give Peabody its only lead of the game at 1-0 in the top of the first.
The lead was also short-lived as Palladino led off the bottom of the inning with a blast deep over the fence in left center to tie things up at 1-1. Saugus proceeded to load the bases on a pair of walks sandwiched around a single by catcher Donovan Clark. Browne struck out the next two batters, but walked Matt Robins to force home a run, then regrouped to get out of the jam with another strikeout.
“Carson really battled and to give up only one more run with the bases loaded and no outs, was huge,” Blue manager Fred Greener said.
With a 4-3 lead, Saugus broke the game open in the bottom of third, the big hits being an RBI single by pinch hitter Mike Howard (2-for-3, run scored) and an opposite field three-run homer to right by Palladino that made it 8-3.
The Americans added four more in the fourth on O’Rourke’s homer that scored center fielder Gianna Giardillo (fielder’s choice), and two more runs that came home courtesy of a pair of infield errors, that put Saugus in front 12-3.
Peabody closed to 12-5 in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run by third baseman Scott Hurley. Dimitrios Vamvouklis (walk) and second baseman Robert Greener (single) kept the rally going, but Palladino ended the threat with his third strikeout of the inning.
Saugus also got a offensive contribution from Max Gibbs (2-for-3. RBI, run scored), while Peabody’s Ricky DeLoreto (double) and Eli Batista (single) had base hits.
Saugus American’s next game is Saturday against Peabody West at West Lynn (10 a.m.), while Peabody Blue plays West Lynn on July 5 in an elimination game at Lynn Shore.
