LYNN — The Wyoma Marlins punched their ticket to the Lynn City Series final with a 13-8 win in a back-and-forth game against the Pine Hill Braves Tuesday at Gallagher Park.
It was a true team effort for the Marlins, with 10 different players either scoring a run or adding a RBI. Colin Newhall (3-for-4, four RBI, run) and Dylan DiFillipo (4-for-5, three RBI, two runs) each had big days at the plate to lead Wyoma. David Palmer (1-for-2, two walks) and Sam Phelps (2-for-3, walk) each added two RBI and two runs while Josh Doney (1-for-3, two walks) scored three runs.
“It was an all around team effort,” Marlins manager Abu Patrick said. “If we put runs at the plate we know we’re going to win so that was good to see.”
DiFillipo got the nod for the Marlins, throwing 4 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Devin Duval closed out the win, allowing one run on two hits with a pair of strikeouts.
“Dylan was unbelievable,” Patrick said. “Sunday we had to bring him in and he was in a tough position. He gave up some runs and we ended up losing 3-2 to a tough East Lynn team. But he battled back. He did it for us in the playoffs in Wyoma to get us a big victory and did it again (Tuesday).”
Pine Hill came ready to play after a big 3-1 win over West Lynn Monday, but the Braves couldn’t match Wyoma’s explosive offense for six innings.
“You have to give Wyoma credit, they hit the ball,” Pine Hill manager Joe Driscoll said. “They made us make plays and it was a good game. Our guys battled and fought back for a few innings there so that was good to see.
“It’s been a great season,” Driscoll said. “This is my favorite group of kids. I’ve had these 12-year-olds for three years and they make coming down to the park a lot of fun. They all wanted to be here which made my job a lot easier. You never forget your Little League team so I hope they remember this.”
Wyoma started to build a lead in the second. A single from Duval and walk by Palmer got the inning started. After a pair of outs Phelps came through with a two-run single and Kyle Doney plated Phelps on a double to give Wyoma a 3-0 lead.
Wyoma added two more runs in the third. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for Newhall, who laced a two-run single to stretch the Marlins’ lead to 5-0.
Pine Hill showed no quit in its half of the third. A hit batter, a walk and a Wyoma infield error got the Braves on the board. Next, Anthony Seals laced a RBI single and, after a ground out, Jaiden Driscoll beat out a run down to score and cut the Wyoma lead to 5-3. Izzy Pierre-Saint and Jake Gilbert capped the inning with a pair of RBI singles to tie the game at 5-5.
Wyoma responded in the fourth. A walk, single and hit batter loaded the bases and Palmer and Kevin Cahill each drew a RBI walk to get the Marlins back in front at 7-5. Newhall hit his second two-run single next to stretch the lead to 9-5.
The Braves got one run back in the fourth with a run on an error but Palmer roped a RBI single in the fifth to keep Wyoma ahead 10-6.
Elijah Morin drew a walk and Gilbert doubled to put runners on for Pine Hill in the fifth. Morin scored on a ground out and Gilbert stole home to cut the Marlins’ lead to 10-8.
But the Marlins added all the insurance runs they needed in the sixth. Newhall singled and Phelps walked to start things off. After a ground out, Pine Hill decided to intentionally walk Josh Doney but DiFillipo made them pay, clearing the bases with a double to give Wyoma a 13-8 lead.
That was all the support Duval needed, recording a strikeout and allowing just one hit in the sixth before closing the game with a pair of flyouts.
“I’m very proud of them,” Patrick said. “It was a team effort. But we have a tough road ahead of us going against East Lynn Thursday. We have to beat them twice since we lost to them Sunday. But our main pitchers will be coming back with Kyle and Josh Doney.”
Wyoma and East Lynn will meet Thursday (5:45) at Gallagher.
SOFTBALL
Rhode Island 11, Peabody 1
The Peabody Tanners Little League 12-year-old All-Star team had the early lead, but couldn’t hold it Monday, losing to the East Greenwich All-Star team in five innings at the East Regional Tournament in Bristol, Conn.
Peabody got off to a great start and led 1-0 after the top of the first on and RBI single by starting pitcher Avery Grieco, scoring shortstop Logan Lomasney, on base with a lead-off single. Peabody managed only two base hits the rest of the way, a leadoff single by Isabel Caron in the second and a two-out infield hit by Grieco in the third. The Tanners finished the tournament 1-2.