Wakefield faces Woburn tonight in District 13 Tournament contest
THE WAKEFIELD National 11-12 year old All-Stars went 4-1 in Pool A play and have gained a berth in the District 13 semifinals which are scheduled for tonight. In the front row (left to right) are Brendan McCarthy, Matt Cinelli, John Bennett, Joe Faulkner, Jacob Barrett, Leo Yardumian and Jeff DiFazio. In the middle row (left to right) are Cal Tryder, Jack Berinato, Caleb Birchem, Matt Sellers, Ryan Rossini, Nick Roberto, Sean Campbell and John Defeo. In the back row are Coach Jeff Campbell, Manager Joe DiFazio and Coach Bob Cinelli.
Published in the July 13, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield National 11-12 year old Little League Baseball All-Stars posted a near perfect record in pool play and will now have an opportunity to capture the District 13 title.
The Nationals posted a 4-1 record in Pool A play and finished second. As a result, Wakefield advanced to the semifinal round where it will take on Pool B first place finisher Woburn (also 4-1) tonight in a District 13 semifinal game at North Reading’s Benevento Field at 5:30 p.m.
The Nationals opened the tourney with a 3-2 loss to Lexington on Friday, July 1 at Lexington’s Center 4 Field. Lexington also finished 4-1 in Pool A play and finished first with the head-to-head tiebreaker being the difference.
Wakefield then ripped off four straight wins.
On Tuesday, July 5, the Nationals crushed Acton-Boxboro by an 11-1 score at Fernald Field. Then Wakefield blanked Wayland by an 11-0 tally on Thursday, July 7 at Nasella Field. On Saturday, July 9, the Nationals squeaked out a 9-8 victory over Assabet Valley at the Alumni Complex in Maynard.
Wakefield’s fourth win came on Monday night as it outslugged Weston by a 14-8 score at Fernald Field.
In the Weston game, the visitors scored two runs in the first inning and one in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. Wakefield battled back with a six-run second inning of its own.
The Nationals tallied three more runs in the third to take a 12-3 advantage. Both teams scored two runs in the fourth inning and Weston tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth to make the final score a little closer.
Weston took the 3-0 lead on three solo home runs in the two frames.
Meanwhile, Wakefield batted around in both second and third innings and scored six runs in each frame to go up by the 12-3 score.
Offensively, Cal Tryder went 2-for-2 for the Nationals with two runs scored, one home run and an RBI.
Leo Yardumian went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and five RBIs. He drove in four runs with one swing as he smashed a grand slam.
Jeff DiFazio went 2-for-4 at the plate. He had a double and a home run. He also scored a run and had three RBIs.
John Bennett went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run. He also scored a run.
Jake Barrett went 1-for-2, with a double, one run scored and an RBI. In the field, Barrett made a great leaping catch in center field to end a Weston rally in the fifth inning.
The Nationals used two pitchers in the contest.
Tryder pitched four and two-thirds innings surrendering seven runs. However, he did strike out seven Weston batters and earned the win on the mound.
Caleb Birchem pitched an inning and third of relief and gave up one run.
The Nationals hope to make it five wins in a row tonight against Woburn to gain a berth in the District 13 final which will be played on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. at Weafer Park in Woburn. The winner of tonight’s semifinal game will play the winner of the other semifinal contest between Lexington and Reading which is scheduled for tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Benevento Field.
