LEOMINSTER POUNDS OUT THE RUNS IN ROUT OF FITCHBURG
Nine-run first inning propels Leominster
The Leominster Little League All Stars opened the Massachusetts District 3 Little League All-star Tournament with a bang on Wednesday evening.
Leominster smashed out 18 hits en route to a 23- 0 mercy shortened victory in three innings over the Fitchburg Little League All- Stars at Ronnie Bachand Memorial Field,
Leominster (1- 0) will host Quabbin on Friday evening at Justin Desantis Field. Fitchburg (0-1) will welcome AtholChuck Stone/orange to Herman Bourque Field on the same day in an elimination game of this four-team, double- elimination tournament.
“We went out with the goal of putting pressure on them early and that’s what we did,” said Leominster manager Jeff Coco. “We have a team that can really swing the bats and we were really happy to see them come out and put up a big first inning.”
A special moment prior to the start of the game, Leominster mayor Dean Mazzarella and Fitchburg mayor Stephen Dinatale were on hand to take part in the pregame introductions and each had an opportunity to throw out ceremonial first pitches.
“That was a pretty cool moment. It’s the first time in 15 years these two programs have met in the All-stars,” said Coco. “Give those Fitchburg kids a lot of credit; they are going to build a solid program. They have a lot of guts.”
Playing as the away team despite being on their home field, Leominster set the tone in its first time at bat in the top of the first. Leominster sent 13 hitters to the plate and scored nine runs off Fitchburg starting pitcher Eli Gates and the Fitchburg defense to open a comfortable lead after just a half an inning.
Leominster pitching held Fitchburg without a hit on Wednesday night as starting pitcher Rick Marrama and reliever Drew Martin allowed just two walks and a hit batter.
Fitchburg’s only baserunners were Mckynlie Murphy ( hit by pitch) in the first inning, Fernando Velasquez (walk) in the second inning and Jaxson Darcangelo (walk) in the third inning.
“We have a younger team and there were some nerves tonight,” said Fitchburg skipper Mike Murphy. “Leominster is a good team, but I give our guys a lot of credit. They played hard and didn’t quit, which is good. Playing against teams and programs like this is only going to make our guys better next year and beyond.”
Leominster continued to add to its lead with four more runs in the second inning to take a
13- 0 lead after an inning and a half. Geo Borges, Jake Economo, Avery Camerano and Matt Coco all reached base and came around to score in the frame for Leominster.
Leominster wasn’t finished as it once again batted around in the third inning, sending 15 hitters to the dish and scoring 10 more runs to account for the final score. Leominster registered 10 hits in the inning and was aided by a
pair of Fitchburg errors.
Several Leominster players finished with multiple hits on Wednesday including Martin, Borges, Economo, Camerano, Coco, Adam Rendon and Blake Doyle.
In other local action on Wednesday night, the Leominster 10U All Stars defeated Fitchburg 15-0 in a mercy-shortened, three-inning ballgame in Leominster.
The two teams will meet again on Friday in the second game of a best- of-three series at Fitchburg’s Gus Johnson Field.