Arlington Dominate in State Tournament Opener

The Arlington Babe Ruth 14-year-old All Stars went through its entire batting order five times in five innings Saturday, as the team walloped Danvers 21-0 in a mercy-rule shortened game to open group play at the Eastern Massachusetts State Championships at Balch Field in Norwood.

"Our pitchers pitched well," Arlington skipper Steve Kelly said, "but these kids just lit it up today with their bats."

Arlington had 18 hits and 30 total base runners in what turned out to be not much of a contest. Center fielder Seth Coiley and first baseman Tim Conroy, the team's three and four hitters, racked up nine RBI combined by the third inning.

Coiley, who compares his game to that of Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, had four RBI on a two-run triple in the second inning and two-run double in the third. He said his mentality remains the same when he's at bat with runners in scoring position.

"I just try to crush the ball, hit it right back at the pitcher," said Coiley, who had four hits and scored five runs in the game.

Conroy, who plays more like first baseman Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies, had five RBI off two hits, including a two-run triple, and a sacrifice fly.

Shortstop Harry Roberson had three RBI and reached base four times in the lead-off spot. Third baseman Mike Samko knocked in two runs and also reached safely on four occasions.

Arlington is set to play Methuen at 11:30 a.m. today at Balch Field before concluding group play against Weymouth at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the same location.

The top two teams from the group, the National League, advance to the playoffs, which begin Tuesday, along with the top two teams from the American League. Last summer, Weymouth defeated Arlington in the 13-year-old finals, while Arlington topped Weymouth the previous year.

Starter Danny Kelly and relievers John O'Riordan and Ely Shorter combined for the three-hit shutout.

Kelly, O'Riordan, Shorter, Danny Columbo and Jim Buckley each had an RBI a piece. Buckley also scored a run on a passed ball.