Swept by Royals in ICL playoffs
KYLE McCARTHY got the start for the Merchants in game two of their playoff series against the Somerville Royals. McCarthy, who has done well substituting for injured starters this season, allowed four runs and struck out three in four innings of work during the Merchants 10-1 loss to end their season. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
Published in the August 14, 2017 edition
By DAN MARGARITA
MELROSE — The Wakefield Merchants’ season ended on Friday night when they were knocked out by the Somerville Royals 10-1 at Morelli Field in Melrose.
The Royals beat the Merchants 5-2 the night before in 11 innings in the best-of-three series.
“What can you say, we ran out of gas. Last two weeks we haven’t been hitting the way we can. We lost our one and two pitchers for the year. We’ve had a couple of injuries the past two weeks and we’ve just been dead and it wore us out and it caught up to us,” said Wakefield manager Dave Ellegood.
The home team Royals took a lead with one run in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Brian Campbell beat out a ground ball down the first base line for an infield single. John Collette was hit by a pitch and then Campbell stole third to put runners at the corners. Wagner Gomez brought in Campbell for the inning’s lone run with a sacrifice fly to center.
Somerville opened up their lead in the third inning. Rob Caggiano led-off with a double to center and then Brian Campbell was hit by a pitch. John Collette followed with a three-run homer to left to make it 4-0.
The Royals blew the game open in the bottom of the fifth. Once again it was Rob Caggiano starting things off, this time by beating out an infield single and he moved to second on a wild pitch. Brian Campbell then drew a walk. John Collette singled to centerfielder Bobby Lossano, whose wild throw to third allowed Caggiano to score and Collette to take second.
A ground out to second scored Campbell to give the Royals a 6-0 lead. James McConville reached on an infield single and after a strikeout, Luke Ronchi singled to load the bases. Pinch-hitter George Crowley singled in Collette and McConville before a groundout ended the inning.
“They’re playing great over there, Somerville. Lexington’s hot but they’re right behind them. They won seven out of nine to get into the playoffs and they’re riding high,” conceded Ellegood.
Somerville got their final two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Rob Caggiano reached on an infield single and scored on a two-run home run by Brian Campbell.
Wakefield did manage to get a run in their final at-bat. With one out, Chris Butler singled to right. Greg Johnson pinch-ran for him and Paul McGunigle doubled off the left-field fence to put runners at second and third. Dillon Koster grounded out to first, allowing Johnson to score to make it 10-1 but a fly out to center ended the game.
“You’ve got to get some runs early and we didn’t and they just took off,” added Ellegood.
