INCARNATION BASEBALL’s 10U Melrose All Stars wrapped up a successful summer where they reached their division’s championship game in the Bay State Baseball Tournament. The Melrose All Stars defeated Reading, Wilmington, Sudbury and Brookline before falling to Lawrence in the championship. The roster included, Joseph Arria, Davis Brown, JJ Cammarata, Kyla Casey, Jed Chernov, Tommy Collins, Logan Dodge, Ian Drogan, JR Getty, Charlie Johnson, Elliot Kahl, Drew Kaplan, Danny London, Junior Martin, Anthony Ortiz, Charlie Palmieri, Jackson Pietrantonio, Cam Sampieri, Dean Sweezey and Will Weaver. The team was coached by Jay London, Mike Kaplan, and Jonathan Pietrantonio. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LOWELL — It was a tale of two halves for the Melrose 10-year-old Incarnation baseball team this summer in the Bay State Tournament.

In the first session, that started in last June and went to mid-July, Melrose went 2-4. However, in the second session, after the teams were re-seeded, Melrose went 6-2 reaching the finals before losing to Lawrence, 12-2, on Aug. 4th at Shedd Park in Lowell.

“We faced a lot of good teams in the opening session and we learned a lot,” pointed out Melrose manager Jay London. “In the second session, our pitching and defense improved.”

Melrose ended up winning the Gemini Division, which included Wilmington, Reading and Sudbury.

In the semifinal game on Aug. 3 at Shedd Park, Melrose edged Brookline, 6-5, in a thriller.

Playing 14 games in a short time span, the team had 20 players on the roster but only 11 dressed each game.

“This allowed families to go on vacation when they wanted to and, if we had more than 11 players available, the kids who played the least amount of games would get to play first.”

Another positive thing was that London made sure that kids would all get to play at least four innings in the field along with, at least, one at bat per game.

The top pitchers on the roster were Charlie Palmieri and Junior Martin. Tommy Collins, who had a game-winning RBI double against Brookline, was the team’s top hitter along with Jackson Pietrantonio and Ian Drogan.

The top defensive player was center fielder, Drew Kaplan who made several good plays.

“The chemistry on the team was great,” said London. “The kids had a lot of fun even though we played in a lot of hot weather.”

The other players on the roster were Joseph Arria, Davis Brown, JJ Cammarata, Kyla Casey, Jed Chernov, Logan Dodge, JR Getty, Charlie Johnson, Elliot Kahl, Danny London, Anthony Ortiz, Cam Sampieri, Dean Sweezey and Will Weaver.

“I would love to get to coach these kids again next summer when they turn 11,” said London, as this was his first year as manager.

London’s assistant managers were Mike Kaplan and Jonathan Pietrantonio.