LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Little League 12-year-old all-stars last captured a District 16 championship back in 2009, but it appears this year’s team might be on the verge of putting an end to 17 years of disappointment and heartache.
This year’s team is about as seasoned as it gets, coming into the tournament with back-to-back district titles as 10- and 11-year-olds.
Manager Chris Cavallo, however, says it’s always a whole new ballgame when it comes to the 12-year-old tournament.
“The field is entirely different at the 12-year-old level. Most towns seem to field stronger teams, so it’s extremely competitive because teams make sure they pull their best players forward,” he said. “Even the teams that weren’t that competitive as 10s and 11s. You also have those teams like Swampscott and both Peabody teams that always have good teams. You definitely see there are many teams that can win it. Sure, we won the last two years, but we all know anything can happen in Little League.”
Cavallo said the team, the core group now in its third year playing together in the district tournament, is solid from top to bottom, starting with its ace, Nico Mandell.
“This is a really good hitting team that can put up a lot of runs, but we also have good pitching and will play strong defense behind some strong pitching,” Cavallo said. “Nico is our top guy on the mound and also has a great bat.”
Matthew Cavallo will play shortstop and pitch.
“He’s a very good hitter and is just a strong, strong player for us,” Chris Cavallo said.
Ben O’Hara will see action at first base and also pitch with Mandell.
“Ben just makes good, solid contact with the bat,” Cavallo said. “Nico is a very good pitcher. He’s big and strong with a good bat.”
Dylan Delory will likely see action in left field and in the infield.
“He can really play anywhere in the infield. He also is a strong hitter and is just very solid all around,” Cavallo said.
John Kayola will likely man second base.
“He’s very good defensively and also has a good bat,” Cavallo said. “He’s a quiet kid and is all business.”
Matthew Geary, in his second year as an all-star, and Maverick Murphy will likely see action in the outfield, with Murphy also seeing time at third base.
“Matthew is a solid contact hitter who can play multiple positions, and Maverick is a lefty with a really good bat,” Cavallo said.
New to the team are outfielders Marco Bevilacqua and Jack Feeley.
“Marco is just in his first year with this group, but he hits the ball really hard and overall has a big, strong bat,” Cavallo said. “Jack swings a really good bat and is a great kid overall.”
Eleven-year-olds Genaro Antonelli, Nico Cavallo and Luca Mandell also made the team. Antonelli likely will see action at catcher and in the outfield. Nico Cavallo will pitch and play outfield, and Luca Mandell will also see action at catcher.
“Nico can play a lot of different positions and is a solid hitter as well,” Cavallo said. “Luca also catches and can play multiple positions. Genaro is a very good player as well and has a lot of experience catching. All three have been with this team for three years now.”
Bill Mandell and Dave Delory will serve as assistant coaches.
“We have a great group of coaches and kids who are ready to play every day,” Cavallo said. “They just bring it like the postman. Neither rain nor heat affect their ability to deliver every day. They come to play every day no matter what.”
Lynnfield will be tested right out of the gate Saturday when it opens the tournament against defending District 16 and Section 4 champion Peabody at Lt. Ross Park at 3 p.m.
“Last year, when we lost to Beverly in the sectional, we were disappointed, but Beverly was a strong team,” Cavallo said. “We are not looking past the district and are very focused on this tournament. Last year’s 12s lost its first two games and were eliminated, but my experience tells me that you can’t look back to what happened last year and the year before. This is a new year, and all I know is every team is putting forth its very best players, so we won’t get ahead of ourselves.”
