Complete perfect 11-0 season with championship over Wilmington
Published August 14, 2019
By NOAH GREIF
WAKEFIELD — Whether it was the Wakefield Memorial High School baseball team defeating No. 1 seed Whittier Tech in the MIAA State Tournament or the top seven and eight-year-old baseball team setting the tone for the future with a spectacular summer Jimmy Fund season, baseball has proven to be a dynamic sport in Wakefield for all ages.
The team participated in the annual summer Jimmy Fund League, which “raises money solely to support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts,” according to their web page.
Despite the league being played for charity, the competition was fierce, yet fun for players to continue their love of the game. The Wakefield participating team, led by head coach Robert O’Neill, went an astounding 11-0 on route to a championship win over Wilmington.
Wakefield advanced to the championship round after defeating Woburn 12-2 and North Reading 9-4. That set the stage for a final against Wilmington, which was played on August 3 at 10 a.m. at Weafer Field in Woburn. Wakefield came out on top to complete an undefeated season with a high scoring yet close matchup with Wilmington. The final score was 12-8.
THE WAKEFIELD 7/8-year-olds are champions of the 2019 Jimmy Fund Little League after finishing the season with a perfect 11-0 record. Pictured in the front row from left to right is Joseph O’Neill, Declan McCarthy, Jackson Campbell, Ryan Corey, Luke Spinney, Timmy Hegarty, Tony Hegarty, Edward O’Neill, Derek Camps-Campins, Brett Marino, Nicholas Cintolo, Michael Cintolo and Nathan Polchlopek. In the back row from left are coaches Bob O’Neill, Brian McCarthy, Sean Hegarty, Joe Cintollo and Derek Camps-Campins. (Courtesy Photo)
In the finals, Edward O’Neill, the son of coach Robert O’Neill, took the hill and gave Wakefield the early advantage with lights out work. O’Neill went three shutout innings while striking out seven.
To close the game, Ryan Corey shook away any nerves with two scoreless innings to complete the save for the championship.
At the plate, Brett Marino set the tone in the first inning with a home run. Tony Hegarty went 2 for 2 with a walk scoring three runs, and Edward O’Neill, Declan McCarthy, and Michael Cintolo all scored two runs apiece.
Derek Camps-Campins and Nathan Polchlopek contributed clutch hits to bring home their teammates. Luke Spinney started a two-run rally and came around to score on a bases-loaded walk to Joseph O’Neill. Nicholas Cintolo had strong at-bats earning two walks and Jackson Campbell also got an RBI in the fifth inning.
Timmy Hegarty shined at the plate and in the field making a great defensive play in left field preventing two runs. Tony Hegarty, Brett Marino, Declan McCarthy, and Joseph O’Neill all contributed with strong defensive efforts.
Coach O’Neill would like to thank superfans Coach Cole Camps-Campins, Evan Marino and Mick Hegarty.
It was clear that with a well-balanced team of pitching, hitting and fielding, along with determination and a positive attitude, success is in the picture. And in the words of Coach O’Neill, it was a “fun season” and “a thrill for the kids.”
These young stars are the future of baseball in Wakefield and have set the tone very early.
