DOM MICIELI lines up an RBI double against Winchester. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WINCHESTER — In their first playoff game on Sunday afternoon, the Lynnfield Middlesex Senior Babe Ruth team (ages 14-18) defeated Arlington 14-6 at Winchester High School. With that result, the fourth-seeded Pioneers advanced to the semifinal round as they improved to 8-6.
“Our hitting came together and everybody had at least one hit,” pointed out Pioneers manager Rob Higdon, as Lynnfield had 15 hits overall. “We really came together early on.”
Lynnfield scored three runs in the first inning and four in the second. They then plated five runs in the bottom of the third and single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Arlington, who is managed by Lynnfield High head coach John O’Brien, scored once in the first, twice in the third and three times in the top of the fourth.
Lynnfield had four multiple hitters in the game led by Nick Lucich who went 4 for 5 with three runs batted in. His biggest hit was a two-run triple in the bottom of the third.
Cam Marengi was 2 for 3 while Aiden Burke and Rob Higdon Jr. were both 2 for 4. Burke had one RBI.
Tim Pivero was the winning pitcher improving to 3-3. He went 3 1/3 innings allowing six runs and eight hits. He struck out three.
Ben Mullin got the save pitching the final 3 2/3 innings as he did not allow a run.
In the final game of the regular season on Aug. 4, the Pioneers lost at Bedford by a final score of 6-3 as the Buccaneers were able to get a split of the season series.
“They have an older team with some college-aged players,” explained Higdon, who has one of the youngest rosters in the eight-team league.
Bedford hit a two-run homer to take the lead for good at 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning.
DEVIN BOLGER takes a cut against Lexington. Bolger collected two hits against Bedford in the regular season finale. Lynnfield will played in the semifinals this week after press time. (Courtesy Photo)
Lynnfield had five hits overall with Devin Bolger being the lone multiple hitter going 2 for 4. Two of the Pioneers runs were unearned with Charlie Morgan, who will be entering ninth-grade next month, having the lone RBI going 1 for 3.
Higdon Jr. went 4 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs, five hits and five walks.
On Aug. 3, the Pioneers lost at Winchester 5-1 as the Sachems swept the season series.
“They have a good pitcher with a lively fastball,” said Higdon. “He was a little older as he just graduated high school.”
Lynnfield was only able to muster three hits as they struck out nine times.
Dom Micieli had the lone RBI with a double in the top of the fourth as he went 1 for 2 with a walk.
If the Pioneers advanced to the championship game, it will either be played on Aug. 11 or Aug. 12 (opponent, location and time unknown at press time).
