NEWTON — The Lynn 14-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars lost in heartbreaking fashion against Newton’s Babe Ruth All-Stars 8-7 in Newton Thursday.
Both teams were knocking on the door to draw first blood in the top and bottom of the first, but both starting pitchers, Lynn’s Jake Peterson and Newton’s Zahqros Tanner, were able to get out of jams.
Eventually, the scoring began in the top of the third when Lynn’s Justin Jennings hit an RBI single past Newton’s third baseman. Peterson followed Jennings’ hit with an RBI of his own, and suddenly the game was 2-0 Lynn.
Lynn would stretch the lead out to as much as three with the help of a triple from J.J. Avery before Newton could respond.
In the bottom of the fourth, Newton finally responded and scored four runs, taking a 4-3 lead with the help of a ball hit into play by Nathan Chow, whose contact with the bases loaded forced an error leading to two runs.
As the inning went on, Tanner helped himself with an RBI single, and with a runner on second and third, Luke Hrczek grounded out and a run scored, which gave Newton the lead 4-3.
However, Lynn responded right away with two singles from Jimmy Jennings and Devin Duvall, and with the help of several pass balls, both scored, and Lynn retook the lead 5-4.
Lynn even put up three insurance runs in the top of the seventh to extend the lead to 7-4, while Newton tried to figure out a way to put together a rally.
Newton, down to its final three outs, answered the bell and pulled off an improbable comeback.
John Dinjlan got the rally started with a single up the middle and advanced to steal second on a passed ball. After Justin Jennings, who came in to close the game, gave up a walk and hit, the bases were loaded for Newton’s Luke Leger.
Leger hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Now, Newton was within two. Jennings went on to walk the next two batters, and a run was scored on a passed ball.
After a base hit from Matheus, Avelino tied the game at seven apiece. Jennings walked in the winning run, and Newton pulled off the comeback, winning 8-7.
On his team’s gutsy performance, Newton Coach Chris Leger said, “We lost a really tough game yesterday on a dropped third strike, and I think the fact that they showed the resilience to come back and fight the way that they did tonight shows the chemistry and makeup of our team.”
He added, “We could have easily rolled over tonight, and they came out scratching, clawing, and fighting.”
On the other side, Lynn Coach John Peterson said the little things were the biggest problem that cost his team the victory.
“We talked to the guys two weeks leading up to a game like this and said the little things are going to matter, a couple missed plays, and we let them right back in,” he said.
13s roll to win
At Arlington’s Spy Pond Field, Rowan Merryman went six innings, striking out three, and Mark Walsh finished up.
Offensively, Braeden Ohannesian got things started with a sacrifice bunt in the fifth inning, which scored Elijah Morin. Merryman also had an RBI single.
The game was scoreless going into the fifth before Lynn blasted it open.
Lynn, 2-0 in the tournament, plays Arlington again Tuesday (5:30) at Breed’s Clancy Field.
Coach Sam Ohannesian says the defense was stellar.
