Published in the July 12, 2017 edition

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Tony Federico is in his first year as the manager of the Lynnfield Senior Babe Ruth team this summer. The team competes in the Middlesex Senior Babe Ruth League that consists of 13 teams. The top 10 teams will advance to the playoffs that start at the end of July.

Ten of the Lynnfield players were members of the Lynnfield High varsity team that advanced to the Division 3 North finals before falling to Austin Prep, 8-2, to end the year at 21-3.

Those 10 players are Mike Federico (second base), Andre Padovani (center field), Justin Juliano (shortstop), Mike Stellato (third base), Nick Aslanian (right field- pitcher), Nick Giammarco (catcher), Nick Torosian (pitcher/third base), Cooper Marengi (left field), Joey Mack (pitcher/outfielder) and Matt Fiore (first base/pitcher).

The other seven players were members of the Lynnfield High junior varsity squad: Brian Cardarelli (pitcher/infielder), Sal Marotta (pitcher/infielder), Jarret Simpson (catcher/infielder), Corey Castinetti (third base), Will Garofoli (pitcher), Phil Tammaro (utility) and Cole Disileio (pitcher/infielder).

Cambridge defeated

On Sunday afternoon, July 2, Lynnfield defeated Cambridge, 4-1, at Lynnfield High School. It was the third win in a row for the team as they improved to 4-5-1 overall.

“Due to the length of the high school season, we didn’t have a full roster until last week,” said Federico. “It is tough during the summer because of kids working or vacations. Some of the other teams we played had high school teams that did not go deep into the states so we were shorthanded early.”

Early season recap

The season started back on June 13 as they tied Winchester, 1-1, on the road. They then lost, 8-3, to Reading on June 15 in the home opener and lost to them again, 10-2, on June 19 in Reading.

On June 20, Lynnfield lost at Woburn, 12-4, and was edged by the host Malden Bambinos, 5-4, on June 22 to fall to 0-4-1. They got their first win on June 23, beating host Bedford-Lexington, 7-2, in Lexington. Lynnfield then lost at home to Winchester, 9-6, on June 25.

On June 28, they won at Belmont, and then blanked Revere, 12-0, on June 29.

Beat Arlington

On Sunday afternoon, Lynnfield edged the visiting Arlington Cardinals, 2-1, at Lynnfield High School. With that win, the Pioneers improved to 5-6-1. They are in seventh place with that victory.

Nick Torosian was the story in this one, pitching a complete-game three hitter. He gave up one run, three walks and struck out 10 to improve to 1-1.

“This was a breakout game for him,” said Lynnfield manager Tony Federico. “His curveball was working very well.”

The Pioneers scored twice in the bottom of the third as Mike Stellato had an RBI single and the second run scored on a Cardinal error.

Arlington’s lone run scored in the top of the fourth.

Lynnfield finished the game with only four hits but were able to win thanks to Torosian’s pitching.

“It was a good pitchers duel,” stated Federico.

Lose to Cambridge

Last Thursday night, the Pioneers fell to host Cambridge, 8-3, at St. Peter’s Field as Cambridge was able to avenge a 4-1 loss at Lynnfield on July 2nd.

“They are in first place in the league,” pointed out Federico. “We led, 3-1, going into the bottom of the sixth but they scored seven times in that inning.”

Torosian was the losing pitcher going six-plus innings. He gave up four runs, four hits, seven walks and fanned three.

Ryan Cardarelli led the Pioneer offense going 2 for 4 with two RBIs. His first one came in the top of the first while his second one came in the top of the sixth. Andre Padovani also had an RBI single in the top of the sixth.

Lynnfield had four hits in this game as well.

Upcoming games

On Wednesday afternoon, the Pioneers hosted Malden at 5:45 at Lynnfield High after press time. They then travel to Robilard Field to take on the Arlington Pond Rats on Thursday night with that game starting at 7.

This Sunday afternoon at 5, the team returns to Arlington to take on the Arlington Cardinals at Spy Pond Field. That game starts at 5 pm.