Sports 07-24-2018

NEAA All Stars go 2-0 in Mayor’s Cup action

By Ralph Martignetti

The U12 NEAA All-Stars enjoyed a successful first weekend in the annual Mayor’s Cup tournament going 2 and 0 with big wins over Hyde Park (10 to 5) and Allston-Brighton (10 to 4).

The first game of the tournament featured NEAA MVP Richard Bova taking the hill vs a tough Hyde Park team.  The NEAA took an early lead scoring 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning with lead-off hitter Cullen Lacey and offensive sensation Oliver Barca getting things going for the NEAA.  Staked to an early lead the NEAA took control of the game and never looked back. Backed by a 10 run offensive explosion Bova pitched a gutsy game going the entire 6 innings striking out 10 and allowing only 4 hits. The offense was led by Oliver Barca who recorded 4 hits in the game.

The second game was another tough matchup against an always strong Allston-Brighton team. The game started off with NEAA Pitcher of the year Nik McHugh on the mound shutting down Allston-Brighton for the 1st 2 innings. The gritty Allston-Brighton team did not yield easily however and the game went back and forth until the NEAA blew it open with a 6 run fourth inning keyed by big hits from Barca, McMahon, R. McHugh, Lacey, Murphy, Bova and DeAngelis. The game also saw DeAngelis come in and shut the door, pitching 4 strong innings in relief allowing only 1 run. The offense was led by Lacey (3 for 3) and Barca (3 for 3) who had an additional 3 hits capping off an amazing 7 for 7 weekend at the dish!

With NEAA payoff MVP Joe Brienze unable to play due to appendicitis rookies Max Mendoza and Matthew Griffin stepped up to provide key contributions in each game to help the team come away the victories.

All in all the NEAA showed a great all around effort scoring 20 runs and allowing only 9.  The NEAA hopes to continue their MC run when they face an always tough rivalry matchup vs Charlestown last Saturday at 2pm at the Parkway Little League complex.  If the NEAA can continue its winning ways the semi-finals and championship will follow on Sunday.

Pictured during the game are Max Mendoza, Michael Murphy, Richard Bova,                                                                                 Nik McHugh, and Sal DeAngelis.

North End wins 11-8 in Mayor’s Cup

By Ralph Martignetti

NEAA 10U Mayor’s Cup team kicked off the tournament with a rousing 11-8 victory over neighboring Charlestown. The North End was led by Matthew Griffin, who threw a complete game striking out 11 Charlestown batters in the process.

At the plate Griffin also had two hits and three rbis. Matt was not alone. Ryan McHugh chipped in with a couple of timely hits as well as a strong game behind the plate.

Desmond O’Hearn, Max Howard and William Previte also added a couple of hits along with some outstanding defense. The North End team was thought to be undermanned as this is a 10U tournament and most teams take to the field with all 10 year olds.

The North End’s roster consisted of 6 ten year olds but there were also 5 nine year olds, 1 eight year old and 1 seven year old.

The youngsters however were equal to the task. Seven-year-old Aidan Previte more than held his own in the field and had some very strong at bats. Eight year old Owen Flanagan reach based several times and just came up short on what would have been a spectacular diving catch in left field. Nine-year-old Anthony Sapienza and Ferdinand Carangelo also gave a good showing of themselves.

The team left it all on the field during a very hot weekend. They made our community very proud.

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