Melrose U10’s move on to sectionals after beating Somerville in District 12 final

Published July 12, 2019

MEDFORD — Melrose defeated Medford 7-1 in a rain shortened game in what was their first game of District 12 play at the 10-Year-old level at Gillis Field in Medford.

Melrose got out of the gates quickly with four runs in the top of the first with Liam O’Brien and Brody MacMaster starting off the inning with back to singles. O’Brien would come around to score on a single by Nate Geer followed by MacMaster who scored on a single by Nicholas Picariello. Geer and Picariello would score on consecutive singles by Richie Harrison and Jay Dennison.

Medford would answer with one unearned in the bottom of first off the starter and winner Chris Repici. Repici pitched a strong 4 1/3 innings giving up only four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

THE MELROSE U10 team beat Somerville to win the District 12 championship. Pictured in the front row from left to right is Chris Repici, Liam O’Brien, Nate Geer, Richie Harrison, Anthony Kiatos, Jay Dennison, Nicholas Picariello, Robert Pino and Brody

Melrose scored one run in the top of the second with Repici helping himself by long double to left field in which he took third on an errant throw back to the infield. He would steal home later in the inning.

After being held scoreless in the 3rd, Melrose struck for two runs in the top of the 4th. Thomas Santoriello had a triple to right field and would come around to score on a single by Liam O’Brien. O’Brien would score on a triple by Repici to close out the official scoring but not after Melrose opened the floodgates before mother nature did in the top of the fifth as they scored 12 runs in the frame. Melrose had 12 consecutive batters reach base with 11 of those batters reaching with hits. Unfortunately, those 12 runs were washed off the scoreboard when the heavy rains came and the final score of 7-1 after four complete innings became official.

Justin Santoriello and Robert Pino both factored into the scoring in the 5th inning with Santoriello going 2-4 and Pinto going 1-2 in the game respectively.

Cruise past Somerville in championship

Melrose defeated Somerville 14-0 to take the 10-year-old district title on a hot and humid day at Lewis Monk Field.

Melrose again got out of the gates quickly with four runs in the top of the first with Brody MacMaster leading off with a double and scoring after a single by Chris Repici. Nate Geer walked and Repici and Geer would score on a long triple off the bat of Richie Harrison. Harrison would score on a single by Robert Pino.

Melrose scored seven more runs in the top of the second with Anthony Kiatos working a walk and MacMaster reaching on a fielder’s choice. Kiatos would score on a single by Liam O’Brien, who was the starting and winning pitcher. MacMaster and O’Brien came around on a triple by Chris Repici. Harrison and Geer then walked to load the bases. Repici and Geer would score on a single by Nicholas Picariello. Harrison and Picariello would score on a single by MacMaster.

Melrose also threw around the leather during the game. In the first inning, Brody MacMaster saved at least one run with a diving catch in center. He followed that up in the second by throwing out a runner at home from centerfield with a strike to catcher Anthony Kiatos who made a diving tag on the runner trying to score. In the third inning, Jay Dennison made a great running catch in right and then made the throw to first for the double play.

Melrose salted the game away with a three-run 3rd inning. Repici and Geer led off with back-to-back singles and were brought home by a double off the bat of Picariello. Picariello would then score on a ground ball out by Robert Pino.

Melrose advances to the Section 3 tournament which will be played Thursday July 11 through Sunday July 14 in Charlestown.