Published in the May 4, 2016 edition
CATCHER Dan O’Leary cuts down an Ipswich baserunner who attempted to leap around him on a double play from center fielder Nick Colucci. The play ended the top of the second inning with the Pioneers still leading 2-0. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
LYNNFIELD — The Pioneer baseball team turned an important corner on Saturday, recording its fourth consecutive victory while improving to 6-3 overall.
The team won in a big way as well. The final score against the Ipswich Tigers was 10-1 and that lone run did not arrive until the top of the sixth inning.
Head Coach John O’Brien was thrilled to see his team’s bats come alive on Saturday at home. He was even more pleased that every player earned at least one at-bat in the game.
BEATING the throw to first base late in the game against Ipswich is Pioneer baserunner Nick Giammarco. The Pioneers are now 6-3. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
While their defense has been strong overall, hitting had been a weak link for the team earlier in the season. Fewer runs on the board leaves a much smaller cushion for the occasional fielding miscue, which can be a difference between a win or a loss.
He credited the hitting turnaround with a shake up in the lineup earlier in the week as well as the 2 1/2 hours the players spent on Friday afternoon focusing solely on hitting under the guidance of hitting coach Sheehan.
The win was earned by lefty pitcher Fernando Gonzalez, who was solid throughout five innings, not allowing a run across the plate as Lynnfield took a 10-0 lead. He is now 1-1 this season. “He throw strikes and has a good command. He is very poised and is coming along nicely,” O’Brien said.
Kyle Hawes made his pitching debut this season, coming into the game in relief in the sixth inning. Although one run was walked home when the bases were loaded with one out, he effectively shook it off. The Pioneers got the next baserunner out at home and the next batter struck out.
Dan O’Leary played a strong game behind the plate. O’Brien has been impressed by O’Leary’s command in calling the pitches and said he had been a dedicated student of the scouting reports and his pitchers trust him.
In top of second inning, with a 2-0 Pioneer lead, O’Leary and fellow senior Nick Colucci were involved in an important double play when Colucci caught a fly to center and threw a bullet to home to cut down a baserunner, ending the inning.
Upcoming games
The team traveled to Manchester-Essex Tuesday (after press time) and will face the Georgetown Royals at home on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. Both are important league games for the Pioneers, O’Brien said. They have a bye on Saturday due to SAT testing.
