SAUGUS – As the song says, “Hey now you’re an All-Star. “
Saugus’s All-Star team took the win over Winthrop’s team with the final score being 23-7 after three innings for the 12-year-old division.
“At this level we like to focus on fundamentals of the game. As well as teamwork and what it means to be on a team. There is also the effort that goes into it,” said Head Coach Al Longo. “And the love of the game.”
The game ran as any 12-year-old division game would. A couple line drives here and there plus one right back to the pitcher. Both sides chanting from their dugouts while at bat or when they get an out. As well as lots of smiles from both sides with the occasional frown when striking out. The parents and coaches even did a little chanting of their own at certain calls.
Winthrop took the lead early into the first inning after an inside-the-park home run, bringing in the lead off the batter from first. However, Saugus was right there to answer the call by putting up 10 runs of its own. The battle continued in the second with Winthrop keeping itself in the game by adding another two runs to their score.
Even though Saugus kept pushing the pace by adding seven runs to its own score, Winthrop tried to fight back by scoring an additional three runs, now making the score 17-7 during the top of the third. Yet it still was not enough to stay in the running. Saugus did not slow down as it entered the bottom of the third, adding another six to its lead, bringing the game to the final score of 23-7.
The two teams seemed relatively smaller than normal which is due to the decrease of players at their level, but there are signs of hope that the numbers will rise again.
“Actually this year we saw an increase in players. Especially with the younger like eight, nine, and 10-year-old divisions. Their short increases but increases this year,” said Longo. “But the girls that are like 11, 12, and 13, they are really starting to get back into it right now and really love it again.”
Saugus will play in the losers’ bracket final Saturday (6) against Peabody, at Peabody. The winner faces Wyoma Monday night.
