Cardinals Eliminated

The Arlington Cardinals were eliminated Tuesday from the Middlesex Senior Babe Ruth League playoffs with a 7-1 loss to Everett at Spy Pond Field.

The defending-champion Cardinals went down early, allowing all seven runs in the first two innings, and never got it going at the plate, managing only three hits off Everett lefty Chris DiNapoli.

"I think we didn't come ready to play," coach John O'Brien said. "We didn't throw strikes, didn't make a couple plays when we needed to and didn't hit the ball well."

O'Brien did credit DiNapoli with keeping the Cardinals offense at bay.

"He pitched a terrific game," he said.

Down 4-0 after the first inning, the Cardinals' lone run came in the top of the second inning.

Third baseman Brian Mazzola walked and then stole a base to get into scoring position for teammate Bob Wesoloski. With two outs, Wesoloski crushed an RBI single to center field, pulling Arlington within three.

However, the momentum shift was short lived, as Everett scored three more runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Dylan DaSilva led the way for Everett with three RBI. Center fielder Shaun McGrath had two.

Wesoloski started for the Cardinals but was pulled in the first inning after giving up four runs and not recording an out. Teammate Brian Walsh, normally a second baseman, came in for Wesoloski and gave up the final three runs before 15-year-old reliever Evan Walsh replaced him in the second inning. Walsh kept Everett scoreless over the final four innings.

Shortstop Pat Connaughton and catcher Jon Byrne had the Cardinals' other two hits, while DiNapoli struck out six in the win.

Everett advances to the bracket final today against the Cambridge Hitmen, with the winner facing Reading in the championship.