Babe Ruth League 13 Prep Champs Named

(Submitted by Newtown Babe Ruth Director Robert Elias)

To start off the game held at Walnut Tree in Sandy Hook, Mason Melillo pitched for Rich’s Keys and Locks. With one, two, three pitches, he got out of the inning without a hitch.

In the bottom of the inning, David Matthews was on the mound and gave up a walk to Matthew Elias, but then picked him off at first base. Sam Czel then followed with a single but was stranded at first base after the third out.

In the second inning, Melillo gave up a walk to Nick Randle and a single to Alex Klang, but the Law Firm could not get a run in. In return, Matthews gave up a single to Andy Braun and Devin Luzzietti who ripped one up the middle. But then Matt Hess popped up a bunt on a sacrifice squeeze, and the Law Firm doubled up Braun to end the inning. 

In the top of the third, Jake Nezvesky roped a double, but Rich’s Keys and Locks didn’t hesitate when Nick Samuelson threw out Nezvesky at third. Melillo got the next two batters bringing us to the bottom of the third. 

Pitcher David Matthews walked two which brought Melillo to the plate.  Shawn Cerreta stole third base and Melillo hit a single to bring in Cerritta for the first run of the game. 

With Elias pitching now in the top of the fourth inning, he gave up a leadoff double to Kyle McGrath. Steve Britten then ripped a single along with Nick Randle to bring in McGrath for their first run of the game. Britten kept the Key’s and Lock’s men in check in the bottom of the fourth inning, however, where no runs were given up. 

At the top of the fifth, still with Elias pitching, Trevor Palmer hit a single, but Elias was able to get himself out of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth Dillon Palumbo led off with a single and then scored on a single by Cerreta for the winning run. 

Rich's Keys and Locks added three more runs on three doubles from Samuelson, Braun, Czel.  In the sixth inning Rich’s Keys and Locks were able to hold their lead to win the Championship for the 13 Prep division.