THE MELROSE Little League 12-year-old All-Stars made their community proud with an historic run all the way to the State Final Four. Melrose finished 3rd in the tournament. There were over 150 teams throughout the state at the start of the summer. (Courtesy Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

ANDOVER — A memorable runs came to an end for the Melrose 12-year-old Williamsport Little League baseball team last Saturday as they lost, 10-2, to Bridgewater at Deyermond Field in Andover in the state semifinals.

Deyermond Field hosted all four days of the tournament.

Melrose finished third in the state as Bridgewater beat Acton-Boxboro, 3-1, in the state final on Sunday to advance to New England’s.

“We were outmatched,” admitted Melrose manager Pat Keefe. “They have both solid pitching and solid hitting. I am proud of the run we had. This was my third year coaching this group and we got a little better each year. To finish third in the state out of over 150 teams is really something special.”

A home run to center field by Brycen Buker put Bridgewater on the board in the bottom of the first inning.

Bridgewater added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning as Jake Fantasia had an RBI single and Luke Fantasia hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing anther run to score to make it  4-1.

Bridgewater scored twice more in the bottom of the fourth and plated four more runs in the fifth.
Ollie O’Leary was the starting pitcher for Melrose. He surrendered three hits and four runs over two and one-third innings, striking out three and walking four.

Jeremiah Gonzalez opened the game for Bridgewater to get the win. He surrendered eight hits and two runs over five and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and walking two.
Cam Stratford and Joseph Martin each drove in one run for Melrose. O’Leary went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Melrose in hits.

Overall, Melrose had eight hits.
Last Friday afternoon, Melrose won, 6-5, in eight innings over Pittsfield in a thriller.

With Evan Snow placed on second (runners on second start in the eighth inning), Dylan Cote bunted and a wild throw allowed Snow to score the game-winner and set off a huge celebration.

“This was a gritty win,” said Keefe. “Pittsfield outplayed us statistically, but we hung in there and capitalized on opportunities when we had them.”

Pittsfield opened the scoring in the first after Weston Wigglesworth hit a solo home run.
Melrose scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.
Pittsfield regained the lead in the top of the second scoring two runs to go up 3-1.
Melrose then took its first lead in the bottom of the second when Dylan Cote drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring one run and Ryan Silva doubled, scoring two more to make it 4-3.

“That was a huge, clutch double by Ryan,” stated Keefe.
Pittsfield answered with two runs in the top of the sixth but they committed an error in the bottom of the sixth that allowed Melrose to tie the game at five.
Victor Dale was the winning pitcher going all eight frames. He gave up five runs, 10 hits, one walk and he fanned two.

“Victor had great control, only giving up two walks,” said Keefe. “Pittsfield hit well off of him but our defense limited the damage. He was very efficient throwing only 76 pitches over the eight innings.”
Silva went 1-for-2 while Miles Rosell and Cote each had one hit. Martin had a team-high two steals.

Melrose showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks and their defense played error free ball including turning one double play.

In the first game on July 18, Melrose lost, 8-4, to Acton-Boxboro.

“We got off to a shaky start and then battled back to get within one run, but we ultimately put ourselves in too deep of a hole,” said Keefe.

Acton-Boxboro got on the board in the top of the first inning after Peter Tyrell walked, Trevor Huber walked, and Ronan Sudhanand singled, each scoring one run.
A double by Luka Simic extended AB’s lead to 5-0 in the top of the second inning.

Thomas Keefe started the game for Melrose on the hill. He allowed just two hits and five runs (two earned) over one and two-thirds innings, striking out none and walking three.
Jack Obremski pitched three and one-third innings in relief. He gave up three hits and two runs while, striking out one and walking three. 

Jack Bergeronwas the winning pitcher as he gave up one hit and one run over two and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking one.
Frankie Bates led Melrose with two runs batted in as the first baseman went 1-for-2 on the night. James Buono was Melrose’s lone multiple hitter going 2 for 2.

After this speculator run, in which Melrose captured the District 12 and Section 3 titles, Keefe wanted to thank a lot of people.

“The Melrose community made a big showing and gave us a ton of support,” he said. “I want to give my thanks to the kids, parents, regular season coaches and Melrose Little League board members for all their hard work. I also want to thank the Andover Little League who did a great job hosting the tournament and rolled out the red carpet for us. The little league officials and the officials on the field all did a great job as well.”