Published in the June 27, 2018 edition
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — It was an instant classic.
On a warm Monday evening at Fernald Field, the Cubs and Red Sox met for a decisive Game 3 in Wakefield Little League’s Majors Town Series.
No matter the outcome, the series was already one of the best in WLL history.
The Red Sox took Game 1, a well-played matchup that the Sox won, 2-1.
“It was the best game of the season,” said Cubs manager Frank Leone. “The umpire thought it was one of the best games he ever officiated. There were a lot of great defensive plays.”
THE WLL Majors Town Series was an epic three-game match up between the Red Sox and Cubs. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
Game 2 was almost as close, despite it being a more high-scoring contest. The Cubs won that one 16-11, setting up a pressure-packed Game 3.
It was another even game until the Cubs put up three runs in the 5th inning to take a commanding 6-2 lead and would hold on to win it 6-3.
The Red Sox got on the board first. Jack Stromski, who was excellent on the mound for the Sox, hit a triple to right center and John Porter drove him in with a double.
Colby Lee picked up the first two of his eight strikeouts to get the Cubbies out of the jam.
Stromski and the Red Sox defense matched Lee and the Cubs’ defense for the next two innings until the Cubs broke through in the bottom of the 3rd.
After a great catch from Bryce Olsen of the Red Sox in center, a Cubs’ two-out rally was started with a Tyler Roycroft base hit. Lee followed with a double and Nick Wyner hit a clutch two-RBI double to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.
The Red Sox came right back in the top of the 4th when Matt Beaver hit an RBI double of his own to tie it.
THE CUBS battery of pitcher Colby Lee and catcher Michael Arria celebrates the final out of the Town Series. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
The tide seemed to turn in the bottom of the 4th when the Cubs got a much-needed run from a wild Johnny Kennedy scamper around the bases. Kennedy hit an infield single and after two throwing errors, kept wheeling around the corners until he found himself back in the Cubs dugout amongst a celebrating sea of blue.
Shane Conroy made a nice catch at second base on a sharp liner to limit the damage.
Lee and the defense made a pivotal stand in the top of the 5th. Shortstop Frankie Leone ended the inning on a nice scoop and a strong throw to first after a rip from Olsen.
The Cubs carried their momentum into the 5th. After a Roycroft walk to start the inning, Lee hit a double to right, and Wyner hit a sacrifice fly to score Roycroft who just got under the tag. Amidst the chaos on the close call, the dust settled just in time to see Lee rounding third after tagging from second. The pitcher crossed the plate before the Red Sox could react and the Cubs had a 5-2 lead. Dakota Streeter singled and Nate Hollinden walked, setting up an RBI single from Kennedy later in the inning.
The Sox didn’t go quietly in the 6th. Leone made another strong play at short to just barely get Porter at first to start the inning. Thomas Stanley hit a single and Will Stanley grounded out, but a wild throw to second scored Thomas Stanley to make it 6-3. Lee buckled down and got a strikeout to end the game.
In the end, it was another classic between two very good teams. It was just the Cubs’ year.
“Overall, the older kids, the 12-year-olds in their final game played to their potential and led us to the victory,” said Leone specifically looking at Lee, Roycroft, Streeter, Kennedy, Frankie Leone, catcher Michael Arria and Timmy Brown who got the win on the mound for the Cubs in Game 2.
