Published in the July 21, 2016 edition
THIS YEAR’S North Reading Little League Minors championship went to the Lugnuts, who upended the Mets, 7–2, in their title game at Benevento Fields. A tight contest throughout, the score was just 3–2 until the Lugnuts broke things open in the bottom of the fifth inning on Noah Pineo’s grand slam home run. Pitcher Marty Pierce fired a complete game no-hitter, striking out 11 batters, aided by the efforts of catcher Conor Griffin. Above first row, from left: Robbie Daley, Conor Griffin, Brendan Trentsch, and Tanner DuPriest; Second row: Noah Pineo, Matt Colwell, Matthew Collins, Parker Griffin, and Marty Pierce; Third row: Coach Marty Pierce, Coach Bob Daley, Coach Jack Collins, Head Coach Marc Griffin, and Coach Steve Colwell. (Nancy Boudreau Photo)
NORTH READING —The Lugnuts took on the Mets in the North Reading Minors Little League Championship held at the Beneveto complex. On a warm day for everyone the Lugnuts prevailed 7–2 over the Mets led by an outstanding complete game pitching performance by Marty Pierce who stuck out 11 batters on 74 pitches. The Mets countered with a three–pitcher combination of Zach Demetri, Ryan Labb and Liam Blanchette throwing 146 total pitches in the contest.
The Lugnuts jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Pierce helped himself with a bases loaded single to right scoring Matthew Collins for the first run of the game from third and heads up base running by Robby Daley from second. The Lugnuts were able to add a run in the bottom of the fourth.
The Mets battled back with two runs of their own in the top of the fifth inning before recording an out with a single by Drew Fitzgerald scoring Zach Demetri for second run of the inning after Aidan Harmon started the scoring. Pierce was able to strike out the next three batters to get out of the inning with a one run lead. The Lugnuts loaded the bases again in the bottom of the fifth inning and would get all the runs they would need on a Noah Pineo Grand Slam to deep left field. Pierce was able to retire the side in the top of the sixth inning securing the win. The Lugnuts finished the season with a 14 and 3 record.
