Junior American Legion: Malden Post 69 Suffers Second Consecutive Loss

Thirteen remains an unlucky number for the Malden Post 69 Junior American Legion team.

The squad allowed 13 runs in its second consecutive game as Sudbury Post 191 defeated Malden 13-2 in five innings Tuesday.

"A lot of the kids are only 14 years old, so we've been taking our beatings this year," Malden coach Robert Woodmon said, "but we're showing up, playing strong and doing our best."

Malden's offense struggled as the team failed to capitalize on early scoring opportunities.

Malden shortstop Michael LaRovere displayed patience at the plate early, reaching base with a two-out walk in the first inning. But LaRovere remained stranded at first as first baseman John Witkowski grounded out to Sudbury shortstop Dylan DeFlorio to close the top of the first.

Malden hitters failed to score in the first inning, but forced Sudbury starting pitcher Mike Biggins deep into counts. Biggins threw 23 pitches in the opening frame. 

Sudbury hitters took advantage of Malden starting pitcher Jonathan Dalba's lack of control in the bottom of the first.

Dalba walked Sudbury second baseman Noah Zavolas to start the inning. Zavolas advanced to second base on a passed ball, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Sudbury center fielder Sam Miller.

Biggins recorded his first RBI of the contest as Zavolas scored on the second passed ball of the frame to give Sudbury an early 1-0 lead. Biggins crushed a double to the center field wall and scored on a single by third baseman Chris Lewis to give Sudbury a 2-0 advantage. 

Dalba put his team in an early hold, but his teammates responded in the top of the second.

Malden center fielder Jacob Camarata led off the inning. Catcher Shawn Bellis Malden reached base on an error by Sudbury shortstop Dylan DeFlorio as Camarata advanced to second on the play. Both runners moved up a base following a balk from Biggins.

Camarata and Bellis set the stage for Malden left fielder Thomas Woodward to tie the score. Woodward drilled a single to left field to score Camarata and Bellis, tying the score at 2-all. 

But the Sudbury bats responded, scoring six runs in the second and seven in the third to take a 13-2 advantage. 

"They've been hitting," Sudbury coach Dan Buckley said of his team's offense. "They put the bat on the ball and they don't make too many mistakes. The other teams usually make a few more mistakes. It's about managing mistakes here."

Sudbury pitchers Biggins and Cam Waggener silenced Malden's hitters to hand Malden Post 69 its eighth loss in 10 contests.

Woodmon acknowledges his team showed progress in the contest despite the loss. 

"A couple of our pitchers threw well," Woodmon said. "We made a couple of plays in the infield [and] a couple of great plays in the outfield."

Malden will face Foxboro Post 93 in back-to-back road contests Saturday as it looks to earn its second victory of the season. 

"I hope nine kids show up and we continue to play," Woodmon said.