Two Melrose Little League All-Star teams win District Championships

MELROSE LITTLE LEAGUE’s 10-year-old All-Stars celebrate their Sectional title on July 17 in Newton after beating the Needham National team 10-2 in the title game. (Courtesy Photo)

 

12-Year Williamsport All-Stars

District Pool Play

July 12 at Sacramone Park in Everett

This was the final game of District pool play. Melrose and Everett had not played each other yet but both teams were 2-0 and qualified for the District Championship on July 15. Nicholas Picariello started on the bump for Melrose. Everett showed a little life and got two quick runs on three singles in the away half of the 1st.

Brody MacMaster led off with a single and scored on a Chris Repici opposite field triple.

Picariello would help his cause and drive Repici home with a single of his own to tie the game at 2-2. Picariello would settle in holding Everett to three more singles and no runs through the 4th inning.

Melrose hitting backed up Picariello. Melrose scored five runs in the 2nd inning. Anthony Kiatos and Brian Fogarty both drew walks after Thomas Santoriello grounded out to start the inning. MacMaster got on base via an Everett error and Robert Pino hit a rocket that an Everett defender made a great play on for the out. Nate Geer dug in and drilled a shot to the right center gap scoring MacMaster and sliding into 3rd for a triple. Repici extended the lead and sent Geer walking home with a dead center home run putting Melrose on top 7-2.

The 3rd and 4th innings were quiet for both squads.

Picariello was relieved on the hill by Liam O’Brien who pitched the 5th inning allowing no hits and one walk. The home half of the 5th was all Melrose needed to end this game.

Kiatos would get on to start the inning. Michael Martin would double and score Kiatos to make it 8-2. MacMaster singled in Martin. Robert Pino worked a walk. Geer blasted a 3 run shot to make it 12-2 and game over. It was a 10-run slaughter after five complete innings.

Jack Ludlow started the game at 1st base. Thomas and Justin Santoriello split duty in right field. Jay Dennison caught the second half of this game.

District 12 Championship

July 15 at Lewis Monk Field in Melrose

Nate Geer was the starting pitcher for Melrose. This game would only last four innings.

The first Everett batter singled, second batter walked, third batter got on by fielder’s choice as Justin Santoriello made the unassisted play for an out at 3rd base. Geer sent the next two batters back to the dugout on strikes looking. Melrose went down in order on the home side of the first.

In the top of the second, Geer stuck out the side with efficiency. In the bottom of the second, Repici grounded out, Nicholas Picariello doubled, then Jay Dennison singled to score Picariello.

Thomas Santoriello popped out to the shortstop and Justin Santoriello singled to score Dennison.

In the bottom of the third, Melrose exploded for eight runs with everyone getting in on it. Geer started off with a triple and would soon after record the first out of the inning on a questionable play at the plate on a passed ball. Repici walked, Picariello got on via error and Liam O’Brien singled scoring Repici and Picariello. Jack Ludlow walked and would score on a Brian Fogarty single. Brody MacMaster singled, scoring Fogarty. Robert Pino walked. Geer was back up to add another extra base hit with a double. Repici singled to score Geer.

In the top of the fourth, Everett went down quickly with Geer recording his 8th, 9th and 10th strikeout. After a fantastic outing, Melrose is your D12 Champion.

10-Year Old All-Stars

The Melrose Little League 10-Year Old All-Star Team won the Section 3 Championship in Newton on June 17 to advance to the Massachusetts Final Four State

Championship.

Game One, July 14

Melrose vs Dorchester 11-1

After going down a run early in the first inning, Melrose powered back with three runs in the first inning to take a 3 -1 lead. Melrose went on to find their groove holding Dorchester scoreless and scoring runs every inning. Heading into the 4th inning with a 7 run lead, Melrose needed just three runs to invoke the slaughter rule to save pitching. Reid Sterling smacked a bases clearing double to win the game 11-1.

Game Two, July 15

Melrose vs Needham National 12-3

Declan Flaherty started the game for Melrose on the mound. He threw three scoreless innings striking out eight Needham batters in total. Adam Rasner had a big hit and scored a run to give Melrose a lead. Mason McLean had a double, stolen base and scored a run to put the home team ahead. Conor Barrington, played a strong first base all game and had a run saving scope to end the third. Ben O’Donoghue had an RBI that gave Melrose the lead. Calvin Hoag closed the game down on the mound to give Melrose the win.

Game Three, July 16

Melrose vs Parkway 6-12

The Melrose offense got out to an early 2 run lead in the first inning, however Parkway responded with a 5 run second inning effort leaving Melrose to fight from behind. Chase Cameron had several plays at third base as well as coming in to relief pitch to hold Parkway in check. Melrose made a run in the 6th inning, Cooper Anderson got the squad going with a hit and scored a run to get Melrose close. Parkway however was too much on this night and beat Melrose 12-6.

Championship Game, July 17

Melrose vs Needham National 10-2

The Melrose 10’s 2-1 record earned their way into the Championship game on Saturday vs. the second place team Needham National. Leadoff man Christian Fogarty got the game started by making his way aggressively around bases to score the first run of the game and set the tone.

Bryce Phillips was a wall at catcher playing all six innings behind the plate not allowing any runs to score on a passed ball. Melrose starter Charlie Recinito pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings striking out six batters.

The Melrose offense scored six runs in the second inning to open the game up. First baseman Rocco Motroni hit a double to add to the lead in the 5th inning.

Melrose had a 10-2 lead going into the 6th inning, closer Calvin Hoag locked the game down. Parker Sarata made the final out tracking down a Needham fly to clinch the Section 3 title.

Melrose will play Swansea Little League in game one of the Massachusetts final four tournament on Saturday, July 24 in Andover.