WEST PEABODY — Paul Hartford was back in familiar territory Friday night — managing a Little League All-Star game.
In his 51-year association with Little League, Hartford has managed or coached in 43 District 16 All-Star tournaments and countless more Lynn City Series tournaments. In fact, he wrote the definitive book on the history of the Lynn City Series back in 2015.
Hartford has now skippered in four leagues: West Lynn American, West Lynn National, Lynn Shore, and East Lynn. And Friday night, his East Lynn squad got off on the right foot in this year’s District 16 tournament with an 11-1 victory over Pine Hill that went into the fifth inning before being called due to the 10-run rule.
East Lynn’s Josue Parndys gave up only one hit in 4 ⅔ innings while striking out 10.
Jeremiah Barahona led the way for East Lynn’s offense with a single and two triples. Shawnee Coleman was 2-for-3 with an RBI while Jay Pena, Julius Brookes, and Anthony Guerrero each had a hit and an RBI.
East Lynn scored four runs in the second, two in the third, four more in the fourth, and its final run in the fifth when the game was stopped. The team plays next Tuesday against Salem in Swampscott.
Luke Hannabury got Pine Hill’s lone hit and knocked in its only run. Pine Hill plays July 6 but doesn’t know its opponent or where it’ll be playing.
