Published August 16, 2019
MELROSE — The Melrose 12-Year-Old Jimmy Fund Team had quite a summer.
It started on July 8 and finished this past Saturday, Aug. 3 with a District 12 Championship against a tough Somerville team at Sacramone Park in Everett. The team managed by Allan Fucci cruised during the season and finished with a 9-1 record.
On Championship Saturday, the weather was beautiful and both teams had large cheering sections. Melrose had team ace Mikey O’Leary on the hill and he started strong. Mikey recorded two strikeouts in each of the first 2 innings, but an unearned run had Melrose down in the 2nd.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Melrose struck and erupted for six runs. It was the bottom of the order that ignited the rally. Aidan Barber and Sammy Houpert drew walks. Jeremiah Lovely and Billy Amendolara followed with infield singles. After a hard out by leadoff hitter Daniel Teittinen, Calvin Zimmerman singled in another run which set the table for a grand slam home run over the left field fence off the bat of cleanup hitter Nolan Natale.
THE MELROSE 12-year-olds are Jimmy Fund Little League champions. Pictured from left to right are the players, Jeremiah Lovely (kneeling), Reid Heidebrecht, Nolan Natale, Billy Amendolara, Aidan Barber, Anders Guilliano, Jacob Macdonald, Mikey O’Leary, Calvin Zimmerman, Daniel Teittinen, Dylan Terranova, Andrew Fucci, Sammy Houpert and Billy Oldham. In the back row from left are the coaches, Matt Teittinen, Bob O’Leary and manager Allan Fucci. (Courtesy Photo)
The blast by Natale, his 2nd of the week, put Melrose up 6-1.
However, Somerville wasn’t done as they answered for three runs on four hits in the top of the 4th. A key play in the inning and the game was Melrose catcher Andrew Fucci continuing his stellar play and throwing out a runner to end the inning and getting Melrose out from further damage. After a quiet half inning for Melrose, Somerville struck again in the 5th for a single run to make it 6-5.
Melrose starter O’Leary was brilliant on this hot day pitching 4 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts. Calvin Zimmerman came in to get the final out in the 5th and escape another Somerville rally.
In the bottom of the 5th, Melrose plated a few insurance runs to make it 9-5. It was Zimmerman and Natale again with big hits to knock in the runs.
In the 6th it was Zimmerman pitching to Fucci and letting the defense do the rest. Sammy Houpert made a beautiful play at second base to record an out and right fielder Dylan Terranova made a great running catch to end the game and give Melrose the 9-5 victory. Defense was big again for Melrose with Billy Oldham, Anders Guilliano, Reid Heidebrecht, Jacob Macdonald and Daniel Teittinen making plays.
Thanks to all that supported the Jimmy Fund and this great group of boys this summer!
