The Lynn Junior Legion Post 291 team started its state tournament quest on a high note Saturday night. Lynn built an early lead and benefited from clutch hitting in the closing stages en route to a 6-4 win over tournament host Wilbraham.
Starting pitcher Lucas Fritz tossed three shutout innings to get Lynn going on the right foot. Brendan McManus (two innings) and Terrence Moynihan (one inning) followed in relief. Aidan Dow picked up the save.
“I felt great for Lucas,” Lynn manager Tony Luciano said. “We only pulled him out because of the pitch count rule. We might need him later on. Same with the other kids who pitched. We saved some pitching. It’s tough to take your pitcher out with a 4-0 lead but I had confidence in the other guys we put in the game. That’s why we made the moves.”
At the plate, Kory Ouellette reached base in all four plate appearances and scored three runs. Colby Magliozzi went 2-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored. Magliozzi delivered a crucial go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, breaking a 4-4 tie, and plated an insurance run on Nico Galeazzi’s RBI single.
“Kory and Colby have been doing it for the last eight to 10 games,” Luciano said. “They’ve been finding ways, whether it’s by getting base hits or walks. They find ways to get on base and put pressure on other teams. They’re getting the job done at the top of the order and that’s why they’re there.”
Lynn’s defense was sharp in Saturday’s win. The Lynners escaped an early jam with a 6-4-3 double play in the top of the first inning and turned another double play in the top of the second.
“In the end, we made the plays when they counted,” Luciano said. “We made some uncharacteristic errors. We rebounded in the end. It was a total team win. We picked each other up. Wilbraham hit the ball hard. They were never out of it. Our guys dug deep and they got the job done.”
Lynn takes on North Attleborough Sunday night (8). The state tournament follows a double-elimination format.
