ANTHONY GRABAU was one of two Pioneers with hits against Lexington in the Middlesex Babe Ruth League semifinals. (Courtesy Photo)

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LEXINGTON — In the Middlesex Senior Babe Ruth (ages 14-18) semifinals on Aug. 9, fourth-seeded Lynnfield was shut out by host Lexington 1 (Lexington had two teams in the league) by a final score of 2-0 at Lexington High School.

“It was a good pitcher’s dual,” said Pioneers manager Rob Higdon. “Ben (Mullin) pitched very well and has been good for us all summer.”

Mullin pitched all six innings allowing no earned runs, three hits, five walks and he struck out two.

Both Lexington runs came in the bottom of the 6th inning aided by a Pioneer error.

The Lynnfield offense struggled as they had only two hits as Dan Dorman and Anthony Grabau had those hits.

“Most of the game we went down 1-2-3,” said Higdon. “Lexington 1 is one of the oldest teams in the league and have several players who just finished high school or finished their first year in college.”

Lexington 1, who was the second seed, then was upset by guest Bedford in the championship game the next evening. Bedford was the third seed.

Lynnfield finished with an overall record of 8-7.

“It was a great season,” stated Higdon, who just completed his first year at the helm. “We had one of the youngest teams in the league as some of the older players played for the (Middleton-Peabody) American Legion team instead. The kids played hard.”

Due to the youth of the team, every player on the current roster is eligible to return next summer.

Higdon would also like to return as manager.

“If they ask me back I would,” said Higdon, who has been working with the Lynnfield Youth Baseball program for many years.