Last season the North 2 South Classic saw both teams win home games in Little League competition sponsored by State Representative Aaron Michlewitz.
This year the results were just a little different as the North End team managed a 4-4 tie at home but lost a close 1-0 game to the South End team at their home field.
Scoring runs in the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings the visitors took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning allowing only one hit, a lead-off double in the 2nd by North End MVP Thomas Marchi.
The hometown team offense came alive in the bottom of the 5th inning scoring 3 runs. Paul Szulc led off with a single, Andrew Olivo walked, Lorenzo Pantaleo singled in a run, Vincent Coppola drove in a run with a ground ball and Tim Martin produced the 3rd run with a single.
A single by Fernando Soto put runners on the corners but the South End pitcher got the third out preventing any further damage.
Marchi led off the bottom of the 6th with a single. After two outs, the South End pitcher walked three consecutive batters with the last walk to Coppola that tied the game 4-4.
After a scoreless 7th inning, the game was called due to darkness and the teams moved on to the South End for another match that resulted in an exciting 1-0 win for the South End Little Leaguers.
Pitching dominated this game as the South End scored the only run of the contest in the 2nd inning on a pass ball.
There were only 3 hits in the game, two singles by the South End and a double by Fernando Soto for the North End team.
The North End had runners on 2nd and 3rd in the third inning but didn’t cash in the scoring column.
North End pitchers Lorenzo Pantaleo, Nate Wolf (MVP) and Andrew Olivo did a great job on the mound but did not receive any offensive support.
North End shortstop Tim Martin handled four, chances flawlessly earning him the Defensive Player of the game.
The baseball classic between these two neighborhoods has become a popular event judging by the large crowds they have generated.