LYNN — Everything was clicking for the Lynnfield 12-year old Little League all-star baseball team Friday as it rolled to a 10-3 win over Saugus American in a District 16 game at Gallagher Park. Despite falling behind early, Lynnfield scored in its first time at bat and never looked back en route to a win.
“Everyone contributed tonight right from the first inning,” said Lynnfield coach Matt Adamo. “Not only that, but we made a lot of really hard outs today. That was very good to see.”
Lynnfield was led on offense by Anthony Grabau, who went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run. Tyler Adamo (1-for-3), Nate Lopez (1-for-3) and Nick Hubbard (0-for-2) each added an RBI in the win, and Lynnfield was able to take advantage of several Saugus miscues to score four runs on passed balls.
Lynnfield also got a strong pitching performance from Lopez, who pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits with 12 strikeouts.
“Nate was fantastic tonight,” said Matt Adamo. “He’s a big, tall lefty who throws hard, and you can’t get enough of that. He threw a lot of strikes tonight and kept Saugus off balance.”
For Saugus American, Dylan Clark (2-for-3), Braden Faiella (2-for-2) and Michael DiGirolamo (1-for-3) each had an RBI in the win.
“We struck out 12 times and gave up four runs on passed balls, and you’re just not going to win games like that,” said Saugus American coach Mike DiGirolamo. “But give credit to Lynnfield, our guys just got beat today.”
Saugus American jumped out to an early lead. After moving a runner to second base with two outs in the top of the first, Clark stepped in and laced an RBI double to give Saugus a 1-0 lead.
That was the only lead Saugus American would have all game, and it didn’t last long.
In the bottom of the first, a walk, a single and a passed ball put runners and second and third for Grabau. After fighting off a couple pitches, Grabau got a hold of one and sent it over the right-centerfield fence for a three-run homer to give Lynnfield the lead.
Lynnfield scored a run on a passed ball before Hubbard and Lopez each added an RBI, stretching the lead to 6-1 in the second.
The score remained there until the top of the fourth, when Saugus American got one back. Clark led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Faiella knocked Clark home with an RBI single up the middle to make it 6-2.
But, just as in the first inning, Lynnfield answered in the bottom of the fourth. Lynnfield loaded the bases with one out, and all three of those baserunners eventually found their way home thanks to passed balls. After the inning was over, Lynnfield held a commanding 9-2 lead.
Tyler Adamo gave Lynnfield one more run on his sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth to round out the scoring
Saugus American fought until the end, mustering one more run in the top of the sixth on an RBI from DiGirolamo, but that was all it got back.
Next up for Saugus American will be a game against the winner of Saugus National vs. Salem (who will play Saturday at Gallagher) Monday.
Lynnfield’s next District 16 game is scheduled for next Friday. While it may seem like a long layoff, fear not. Lynnfield’s playing in the Bay State League as well, meaning they’ll play two games over the course of the week to remain loose.
“It’s a good way to keep the kids loose. The kids will be getting their swings in and stay locked in all week,” Matt Adamo said. “And it also means that since we’ll technically have a week off, we can pitch Nate again in that game Friday.”
Lynnfield plays Andover in the Bay State League Monday.
