By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On July 14, the Lynnfield Senior Babe Ruth baseball team beat guest Bedford 5-2 at Lynnfield High School. With that win, the Pioneers improved to 2-2.
John McKrell was the story of this one as he pitched a complete game. He gave up no earned runs, four hits, three walks and he struck out five.
“He was phenomenal,” stated Pioneers manager Rob Higdon. “He had great control as he threw only 76 pitches.”
Bedford scored once in the top of the first but Lynnfield plated three runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead for good.
The Buccaneers cut the lead to one in the fourth but the Pioneers tacked on two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
McKrell helped his own cause at bat with an RBI single. Spencer Riley also had an RBI single while Devin Bolger had a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Lynnfield had six total hits led by Dan Dorman who was 2 for 3.
The night before, the Pioneers lost at the Lexington 1 team 4-3 (Lexington had two teams in the league).
This was a heartbreaker as Lynnfield led 3-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh as Lexington rallied for three runs scoring the game-ender with one out.
“They are a very old team with some college freshman and players who just graduated high school,” explained Higdon.
Tim Pivero was the tough-luck losing pitcher going 6 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs (three earned), three hits, three walks and he fanned 10.
“That was the best I have ever seen him pitch,” said Higdon.
Lynnfield came out of the gate strong scoring three times in the top of the first. Tyler Scoppetuolo had an RBI single while Dorman (2 for 3) had a two-run single.
Lexington got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth.
The Pioneers finished with six hits.
The game on July 18 at Arlington was rained out and will be made up on July 28 but it will be played in Lynnfield at 5:45 p.m.
On Wednesday (July 21), the Pioneers host Malden at 5:45 p.m. They then host the Lexington B team on July 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Lynnfield then visits Wakefield at 5:30 p.m. on July 27.
