LYNN — The Lynn 13-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars rolled to another blowout win, 17-1, thanks to a 14-run second inning and a no-hit, four-inning effort from Yordy Contreras in a shortened game against Somerville at Breed Middle School Tuesday.
Lynn totaled 11 hits and drew eight walks in the win.
“They’ve been playing well the whole tournament, we hit the ball well,” Lynn manager Paul Hartford said. “They are patient hitters, they are smart hitters and they don’t chase bad pitches. They take advantage of every mistake the other team makes. We’re doing a great job.”
Contreras pitched all four innings of the shortened game, allowing no earned runs or hits while walking three batters and striking out four.
Lynn was led at the plate by Jack Marks (3-for-3) and Brady Bullock (1-1 with a walk) who both had four RBI. Contreras (1-for-2 with a walk) also helped his own caused with three RBI. Doren Benzon, Marcus Martinez, Shea Palmer, Jack Anderson and Dom Giordano also each had an RBI.
Despite the lopsided score, Lynn found itself down 1-0 after an error at first base allowed a run to score in the first inning.
In the second the Lynners broke things open, with the first six batters all reaching base safely. The inning was highlighted by a bases-loaded triple from Contreras and a double that also drove in three runs from Bullock.
Lynn, who is ranked the No. 1 seed in Eastern Massachusetts, has outscored its first three opponents 45-1, and the one run given up is something Hartford is watching closely, since it could impact home-field advantage in the future.
“The first tiebreaker is runs given up — we had zero coming in we gave up one,” he said. “The second-place team had given up one run before their third game, so we could be tied in that aspect.
“I knew it was going to be tough because the other team had only given up one or two runs but we had our ace going today so hopefully we weren’t going to give up one,” he added. “Unfortunately we gave up an unearned run, but knowing that were at least tied for it, if it means a home game, and we can get it than absolutely we are going to go for it”
Along with the stellar performances at the plate, Hartford gave credit to Jack Anderson, who played second base Tuesday, for his ability to help the team at different positions.
“He has played three different positions for us,” Hartford said. “He’s been a real good player.”
Looking forward, Hartford says his team had to work on its base running and staying focused.
“We have to work on our leading and secondary leads, we had a couple guys picked off today that weren’t even going anywhere,” he said. “I think when the games get out of hand they kind of wonder so we have to get their minds back on that.
“We’re just going to keep doing what we’ve been doing best,” Harford said.
