North End Little Leaguers Capture City Championship

North End Athletic Association’s very successful 2011 baseball season was capped-off by a City League Little League Championship with a 7-3 victory over South Boston.

The North End team completed a great run through the league, posting a 4-0 record in the regular season, with no games closer than five run victories.

In the playoffs, the NEAA team went 3-0 easily defeating their semi-final opponent before capturing the City League’s Top Spot.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 1st, the North End sent nine batters to the plate in the home half of the inning, scoring five runs and a 5-1 lead, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Lorenzo Pantaleo and Tim Martin started things off with back to back singles to left field. Paul Szulc, with one out tripled to deep centerfield driving in Pantaleo and Martin. Brett McAlister followed with an RBI single, Owen Locke was hit by a pitch. Both players pulled off a double steal, setting up a two run single by Vincent Coppola.

South Boston scored its second run in the 2nd inning but the North End came right back in their half of the 2nd.

Pantaleo picked-up his second hit, JC Pezzuto singled up the middle and Szulc got an infield hit loading the bases for McAlister who ripped his second single through the shortstop hole picking up 2 RBI and a 7-2 North End lead.

South Boston added an unearned run in the 5th but that’s all the scoring they could muster.

Pezzuto and DJ DiCenso caught the South Boston runner napping at third and picked him off ending the threat.

The South Boston team was out hit 12-3.

Pantaleo picked-up three hits for the hometown team, Pezzuto, Szulc, Coppola and McAlister had two hits each, one of Szulc hits was a triple.

Pezzuto hurled five innings, struck out six batters and allowed only 2 walks picking-up the win for the North End Little Leaguers. The North End also made a couple of defensive gems.

McAlister closed out the game on the mound and Bayard Eton caught the entire game keeping the South Boston running game in check.