BEVERLY — The push for a state championship and a berth in the Little League World Series is still alive and well for Peabody West, as the hardworking group checked another item off its to-do list by taking home the Section 4 title with a 4-2 victory over Reading at Harry Ball Field Saturday afternoon.
Cullen Pasterick took home the win on the mound after allowing two runs on just five hits in the complete-game effort, while also striking out five batters.
Brendan Kobierski and Marc Bettencourt both hit home runs in the victory, with Bettencourt driving in two runs and Kobierski driving in one. Jimmy DiCarlo added an RBI single in the win.
Peabody West got off to a fast start in this one, moving a runner on base in the top of the first for Bettencourt, who hit a towering two-run homer to put his team ahead.
Next up was Kobierski, who for the second time in three games went back-to-back with Bettencourt and made it a 3-0 game.
Reading went on to add a run in the second and then another in the fifth, loading up the bases and getting the go-ahead run in scoring position. But Pasterick settled down and got out of the inning with the lead before DiCarlo added an insurance run with an RBI single in the top of the sixth, effectively sealing the win.
It’s now down to Peabody West and three other teams, and the winner of those four will represent Massachusetts in the Little League World Series East Regional. Peabody West will play three round-robin games against Pittsfield American, Needham National and Middleboro at Gloucester’s Boudreau Field this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The top two teams in pool play will then play for the state championship next Sunday.
It’s worth noting that this Peabody West team has some experience playing for a state title, as this group made it to the final four as 10-year-olds two years ago before bowing out after one game.
It all starts Thursday night, when Peabody West will take on Pittsfield American at 7:30 p.m.
