LYNN — The Pioneers (1-0) pounded out 12 hits in their season opener, defying the cold and wind en route to a 6-2 win over host Lynn Classical (0-1) at Fraser Field in the season opener for both teams.
Eight of nine Pioneers starters had at least one hit. Cleanup hitter James Pasquale (2-for-4, 2 RBI, R), leadoff man Sam Bird (2-for-4, RBI, 2 R) and Luke DiSilvio (2-for-3, RBI, R) led the way with two hits each. Matt Tracy (1-for-4, 2 RBI) drove in the game-winning run in the fifth with a line-drive single.
Starter Harris Hadzihasanovic (2 H, 7 K, 2 BB, 2 HBP) pitched four strong innings to earn the win. He set the tone early, striking out the side in the first inning and not allowing a run. Will Mandile (1-for-4) pitched three innings in relief, allowing two earned runs with two strikeouts and two walks.
“For the most part, they did a nice job today,” Lynnfield coach John O’Brien said. “I think we missed a few signs, but I’ll just leave it at that. Harris gave us four good innings. You know, it’s early, but then Will came in and shut the door. Early, we weren’t able to get anybody across, but that’s our game – put the pressure on and see what happens.”
Wagner Perez (1-for-3, RBI double) and Emerson Lara (1-for-3, R, triple) led the Rams offense. Starting pitcher Braeden Ohannesian (4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 4 K, BB) took the loss, while Sam Morris (2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 K, HBP) pitched in relief.
“Lynnfield is a really good program. They do the little things right, and they’re always ready to play,” Classical coach Jason Rogato said. “I expected that they would execute. We’re looking good so far. We lost a few key players from last year’s team, but for us, it’s always the next man up.”
The Pioneers got on the board in the third inning. Bird reached on an infield error, stole second and advanced to third on a bunt single by Ollie Morgan (1-for-4). Both scored on a single by Pasquale to make it 2-0.
With one out in the fifth, DiSilvio walked and stole second. Pasquale beat out a bunt, with DiSilvio advancing to third. Tracy lined a single to left, scoring both runners to extend the lead to 4-0.
Classical got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brayden Curley led off with a walk, stole second and scored on a double by Perez.
Lynnfield responded in the sixth using a combination of small ball and power. Jared Burke (1-for-3, R) was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jason Ciolfi (1-for-2) and scored on a squeeze bunt by Bird. With two outs, DiSilvio tripled to left, bringing home Bird.
“Bird played a nice game in center field and got that squeeze bunt down,” O’Brien said.
The Rams fought back in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to 6-2. Lara ripped a long triple to right and scored on a single by Mark Walsh (2 SB).
O’Brien liked what he saw from first baseman Dylan Nguyen (1-for-4).
“Dylan did a nice job in his first game at first base and also hit the ball well,” O’Brien said. “He’s working with Mike Stellato, our freshman coach, who played first base at Bryant.”
Rogato highlighted the play of Colin Hart (1-for-2, SB) and Ohannesian.
“Colin played a really good left field today and kind of kept us in it with a couple of nice plays,” Rogato said. “I thought Braeden pitched four great innings. We just couldn’t get any offense going. He had runners on in almost every inning, but he was able to get out of it for the most part. I love that he stayed strong and worked his way out of those innings.”
Lynn Classical’s next game is Monday at Revere (4:15).
“They’re pretty decent,” Rogato said. “We split with them last year, and I know they lost a couple of key players, but we did, too. I’m expecting a good baseball game.”
Lynnfield’s next game is Tuesday at Newburyport at 4 p.m.
“Newburyport is always a tough team,” O’Brien said. “We’ve always gone at it with them. I think they might have lost a couple of players, but they have a couple of good pitchers back. They do a nice job up there.”
