Published August 14, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

HAVERHILL — The Lynnfield 14-year old travel baseball team won its area title on Aug. 5 as they beat host Haverhill 7-3 at Trinity Stadium. Lynnfield was 0-3 against top-seed Haverhill heading into that game.

“We peaked at the right time,” said Lynnfield co-manager Jeff Mullin, whose team ended the playoff on a five-game losing streak. “We took advantage of their errors.”

Haverhill committed five errors.

Dan Dorman was the winning pitcher going five inning while reliever Jim Driscoll picked up his first save going the final two frames.

THE LYNNFIELD 14-year-old travel baseball team won the championship by beating Haverhill 7-3 on Aug. 5. Pictured in the front row from left to right is Jack Neenan, Ben Sieve, Nick Lucich, Cam Marengi, Don Miceli, Cole Hawes and Owen Mullin. In the back row from left is coach Drew Lucich, Jim Driscoll, Chase Goldberg, Drew McKinnon, Dan Dorman, Connor Ryan, Ben Mullin, coach Jeff Mullin and coach Erik Neenan. (Courtesy Photo)

Dorman gave up three runs, five hits and three walks. He struck out six. Driscoll did not allow a run, gave up two hits no walks and fanned two. He also hit one batter.

Lynnfield scored once in the top of the second inning and then plated three runs in the third and fourth inning.

Haverhill scored twice in the first and once in the third.

The Pioneers had five hits led by Connor Ryan who went 2 for 3 with one RBI. Ben Mullin and his brother Owen each had RBI singles as well.

In the semifinal game on Aug. 4, the Pioneers won at Andover by a final of 3-0.

Ben Mullin, Jeff’s son, was the winning pitcher with a complete-game effort. He gave up two hits, one walk and he struck out seven.

“He is one of the older players on the team and playing for the Lynnfield high freshman team really helped him,” said Mullin.

Lynnfield scored once in the top of the sixth inning and twice more in the seventh.

Dan Dorman had an RBI single in the sixth while there was no RBI in the seventh.

The Pioneers had seven hits against the Golden Warriors with Chase Goldberg being the lone multiple hitter going 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles.

Mullin was pleasantly surprised at the success his team had heading into the playoffs.

“I admit I wasn’t too optimistic heading in and we knew the challenge we faced,” he said. “Our defense was flawless in both games.”

The season began on July 2 and featured six teams. Along with Haverhill and Andover, the other teams involved were Riverside-Bradford, Danvers and North Andover.

Lynnfield started hot winning three of its first four games. Then they lost their final five and they had to deal with five scheduled games being canceled.

They got the third seed as the top three teams qualified for the playoff as Andover was second and Haverhill was first.

Most of the Lynnfield players will be freshmen at Lynnfield High this fall.