One small step... two big runs
Lincoln smacks three homers in rout of Barrington at Slater
PAWTUCKET – Donavon Lopez succeeded in keeping his pitch count within the desired threshold and the bats for the Lincoln Little League Major Division All-Stars came alive in a major way Saturday night.
It was a winning recipe that paved the way for a 10-3 victory over Barrington at Slater Park. Lopez came on in relief at a critical part in the game and proceeded to strike out all five batters he faced. Just as noteworthy, the right-hander tossed 24 pitches.
Per Little League rules, Lopez is eligible to pitch the next day – he was at 19 pitches prior to fanning his fifth and final batter. Per Lincoln manager Dale O’Dell, the game-plan is to start Lopez tonight (6:00) against Coventry, which defeated Cranston Western in the other state
tournament opening game that took place Saturday.
Offensively, Lincoln bashed three home runs as part of an 11-hit attack. Ryan Allen got the District 4 champs off on the right foot with a two-run shot in the first inning. Just like he did in the district final, Christian Khoury came off the bench and supplied some long-ball magic. On Saturday, Khoury connected for a two-run home run that at the time put Lincoln up 6-0 in the third inning.
Lincoln scored four times in the third. The rally started when No. 9 hitter Joey Conti led off with a double and leadoff batter Jayden Champagne followed with a single up the middle that scored his teammate.
For good measure, Lopez added a two-run homer in the sixth. Champagne finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored while reach base safely four times. In addition to a dominating relief appearance, Lopez went 3-for-4 with three runs.
For a team that took the field minus its ace pitcher and No. 3 hitter in Ryan Thompson, Lincoln passed its first test with flying colors. The only cause for concern was the bridge that O’Dell tried to form between starter Will Denio and Lopez. Lincoln called upon two pitchers after Denio exited and both combined to provide some hairy moments that it left the Lincoln coaching staff little choice but to summon Lopez.
“We lost our No. 1 guy so we’ve got to be creative in what we do,” O’Dell said. “Obviously you’ve got to win the game, but we hit enough and guys did their job for the most part.”
Denio was taken out with a runner on base and after tossing 52 pitches and striking out three in 2.2 innings. Barrington made it 6-2 when No. 3 hitter and starting pitcher Griffin Crain launched a two-run home run. Barrington added another run in the fourth and the District II champs could have inched even closer to Lincoln but Champagne made a nice play in the hole with two down. With his momentum carrying him toward third base, Champagne was able get just enough on the throw that extinguished a bases-loaded threat for Barrington.
Before the fourth, the game was briefly halted so tournament officials could check the bats that were being used by both sides. None of them were deemed illegal.
Lincoln added two more runs in the fifth but were presented with a stiff challenge when Barrington came to bat in the same frame. Walks were issued to the first two batters and that resulted in the third pitching change of the game for Lincoln. This one proved right on the money as Lopez struck out the side (two swinging, one looking).
“I had to do something to stop the bleeding,” O’Dell said.
For Barrington, Snow struck out nine over five innings but allowed eight runs on eight hits. Should Lincoln prevail against Coventry, it would be off until Thursday. A loss would result in an elimination game on Tuesday night.
“It’s all about the driver’s seat, but that Coventry team is really good. They’ve got a lot of pitching and hitting,” O’Dell said. “You’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game.”
Lincoln 204 022 --- 10-11-1 Barrington 002 100 --- 3-7-0
Will Denio, Joey Conti (3), Michael Bowler (4), Donavon Lopez (5), Ryan Allen (6) and Noah Campanelli. Griffin Crain, Trevor Snow (6) and Quinn Murphy.