SAUGUS — The Lynn Babe Ruth 15-year-old All-Stars manufactured enough offense in Monday’s 3-1 state tournament win over Arlington at World Series Park. But the key to Lynn’s victory, undoubtedly, was a stellar pitching performance from Ryan Fraher.
The left-hander went the distance and allowed one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts.
“We knew when Ryan grew a little that he was going to be something,” Lynn manger Brian O’Connor said. “He keeps batters off balance and does a great job with that. He was amazing (Monday).”
The Lynners (3-0) remain undefeated in the tournament but they’ve been tested. All three wins (3-1 over Newton Sunday, 9-6 over Saugus last Friday) have brought forth Lynn’s best level of execution from start to finish.
“Our opponents mean business,” O’Connor said. “We have to make all the plays and we have to make less mistakes than the other team. That’s what we’ve done and that’s why we’re undefeated.”
Jason Donohue (1-for-3), Anthony Marino (1-for-3) and Tyler Wilson (0-for-1, walk) each had one RBI.
After Fraher worked around a one-out walk in the top of the first, Lynn was sent down in order in the bottom half of the inning. Lynn plated two runs in the bottom of the second. Aaron O’Connor singled to lead the frame and Ethaniel Almendarez walked. In stepped Donohue, who put Lynn on the board by plating O’Connor with a RBI single. An Arlington error on Nolan Mulcahy’s ground ball loaded the bases and Wilson cashed in with a sac-fly to right field, scoring Almendarez for the 2-0 lead.
“The pitching’s tough so we’re trying to do whatever we can to score runs,” O’Connor said. “We’re trying to hit the ball in all directions, we’re going with the pitch. That’s what we’re telling our kids, even the power hitters. We try to get on base because we have a lot of speed. That’s our game plan.”
Arlington struck back with one run in the top of the third, making the most of a Lynn fielding miscue.
Fraher retired Arlington in order in the top of the fourth and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth, setting the stage for Lynn to add a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the fifth.
Steven Galatis singled to start the rally and advanced to second base on an errant pickoff attempt. Anthony Marino brought Galatis home with a one-out RBI single.
“That was huge,” O’Connor said. “We gave Arlington one run on a silly play. It was nice to get that one back.”
Arlington didn’t go down quietly through the final two innings. Back-to-back singles to start the top of the sixth made things interesting. Fraher sent down the next three batters on a lineout, strikeout and groundout to end the threat. A one-out single and hit by pitch gave Arlington one last hope in the seventh. Lynn sealed the 3-1 win on a fielder’s choice and a flyout to centerfield.
Lynn’s back on the diamond Thursday evening (5:30) at World Series Park against an opponent to be determined.
Lynn Babe Ruth 13’s
Maplewood 9, Lynn 2
Lynn pitcher Levi Dasilva struck out eight but took a tough-luck loss at Trum Field in Somerville. Lynn’s bats tallied six hits.
Lynn finishes the pool play round of the state tournament at 2-1. Parkway has to defeat Dedham Tuesday night in order for Lynn to advance to the semifinal.
SOFTBALL 10’s
District 16
Marblehead 12, Wyoma 2
Marblehead pitcher Tessa Francis tossed five innings and allowed just one hit with 11 strikeouts. Francis helped her own cause at the plate with two base hits. Lily Norton scored two runs and drove in two RBI on two hits. Tessa Andriano scored two runs and had three hits.
Marblehead plays Peabody/Salem Tuesday (6).
