Sports
Baseball All-Stars Can't Slow Down Danvers American [VIDEO]
Danvers American gets great pitching from Tyler Armstrong and 12 hits on its way to a 12-4 win over Hamilton-Wenham Thursday night in Gloucester.
Things started off great for the 12 year-old All-Stars from Hamilton-Wenham in their game against Danvers American on Thursday night at Stan Boudreau Field at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.
Nico Serpa blasted a two run homer in the top of the first with one out, driving in Ben Danforth to put Hamilton-Wenham up 2-0 early. That was the last time Hamilton-Wenham would lead. Danvers then struck back, scoring runs in every inning but the second to pick up their second tournament win, 12-4.
Both teams entered Thursday night’s playoff game at 1-0. Danvers knocked off Topsfield 18-5, going into Thursday night’s match-up.
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“We played well, the kids got hits when we needed them, and Tyler (Armstrong) pitched a good game for us,” Danvers American manager Mike Ward said.
Devonn Allen and Jordan DeDonato scored twice, and Matt Andreas crossed the plate three times leading the run parade for Danvers.
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Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the first, Danvers tied it up quickly. Allen and Andreas came across on a single by Courtney Cashma, and it was 2-2 after one full.
Danvers took the lead for good in the bottom of the third, going up 4-2 on a double by Jack Ward a wild pitch and two passed balls.
Armstrong got the win for Danvers; Aidan Robinson started on the mound for Hamilton-Wenham, and took the loss.
Hamilton-Wenham picked up a single run in the top of the fourth, Duncan Anderson put down a bunt and Nick Cutler beat the throw home. Cutler scored the final Hamilton-Wenham run in the top of the sixth, scoring on an infield out by Nick McLane.
“We played well, I’m proud of the boys,” Hamilton-Wenham manager Mike Cutler said. “We’ll just have to put this one behind us and get ready for Saturday.”
Hamilton-Wenham will take on Topsfield Saturday morning at 11; Danvers American is up after that game, at 1:30 against Ipswich. Both games will be played in Groveland on Saturday, July 2.
Danvers put the game out of reach with six runs in the bottom of the fourth, going ahead 8-3, blowing the game wide open in the process. Allen, Andreas, Cashman, DeDonato, Tim Usalis and Jackson Leete came across for Danvers.
Andreas and Armstrong scored for the final two runs for Danvers American.
Armstrong struck out five and walked only one Thursday night, his counterparts on the mound for Hamilton-Wenham, Robinson and Thomas Dowd, struck out a total of three batters and walked four.
“This one’s over, we made some plays, we’ve just got to make a few more,” Hamilton-Wenham's Cutler said.
“We gave up an early home run against Topsfield too,” Danvers American manager Mike Ward, said. “Our guys shook it off and went after it, we’ve played two good games in the tournament so far.”
Joining Ward on the Danvers bench are coaches Jeff Smith and Jack Kelfer. Cutler has and Jay Mackay on the Hamilton-Wenham bench with him.
