Arlington Advances to Semi-Finals

You know you're good when you can make a 13-2 win feel rather pedestrian.

The Arlington Babe Ruth 14-year-old All Stars defeated Methuen 13-2 on Sunday in a mercy-rule shortened game during group play at the Eastern Massachusetts State Championships at Balch Field in Norwood. However, on the heels of a 21-0 drumming of Danvers in the team's opening game on Saturday, Arlington made the 11-run blowout seem ordinary.

Regardless of the sentiment, Arlington coach Steve Kelly said it was an important win, as it qualifies the team for the semi-finals on Tuesday evening.

"It's a big win," he said. "It looks like Monday's game against Weymouth won't matter."

Arlington concludes group play against Weymouth at 5:30 p.m. tonight at Balch Field, where the tournament is being held. Both teams are expected to advance to the semi-finals out of the four-team National League to face the top two teams in the American League.

After Tuesday's semi-finals, the championship game is at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kelly said the early clinch will allow him to rest his top pitchers until the must-win format. He said right-handed hurler Danny Kelly, who pitched two innings Saturday, will take the mound again on Tuesday.

Arlington's pitchers got some more rest due to a five-run fifth inning that invoked the mercy rule.

Catcher Remi Pontes reached on an error with two outs in the top of the fifth inning and two runners crossed the plate to have Arlington reach the 10-run threshold at 12-2. Third baseman Mike Samko then tallied his third RBI of the day to make it 13-2 heading into the bottom half of the inning.

Pitcher Sam Slebodnik then threw a one-two-three inning to end the game.

Arlington's Tim Conroy, who started on the mound, continued to swing a hot bat, knocking in two runs, as did center fielder Seth Coiley, who had three RBI.

Arlington went up 2-0 in the first inning before breaking the game open with a five-run second inning. In addition to Arlington's hits, Methuen made seven errors in the field.

Shortstop Harry Roberson also had an RBI single for Arlington, while the team scored two runs on passed balls.