Fantastic Fifth Inning Clinches Gallant Championship For Marblehead [VIDEO]

Lynn lefty Matt Autilio was cruising along with a no-hitter and a four run lead when Marblehead's bats exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning Thursday night in Salem.

Marblehead’s Spencer Carr shut down Lynn in the sixth and seventh innings, and Marblehead's 12 Year Old All Stars claimed the Gallant Invitational Baseball Tournament title with a 6-5 win at O’Grady Field.

Marblehead staked starter Crew Whittier to a 1-0 lead after one inning, when James McCarthy raced home on a passed ball, after three straight walks by Autilio.

Whittier gave up two runs and two hits in three innings of work and struck out three batters. Whittier was relieved by Carr to start the fourth inning.

Carr, who won Sunday’s game against Lynn, had a rough fifth inning, the big blow coming on a two-run shot by Lynn’s Herbie Newton to put Marblehead into a 5-1 hole.

Marblehead was struggling mightily against Autilio at the plate until everything seemed to fall into place in the bottom of the fifth.

The difference came when “we (the coaches) told the guys to relax, have good at bats and chip away at Lynn’s lead,” Marblehead manager Steve Tubridy said. 

The team heeded the advice of their coaches and had some great at bats in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Kyle Koopman got Marblehead’s first hit, a shot to left, but was erased on a fielder’s choice by Carr. Carr moved to second when David Campbell walked and they both came home in front of Matt Koopman who drove an Autilio pitch just over Lynn left fielder Paul Winchell’s glove for a three run home run.

Marblehead's big inning continued when Tim Kalinowski hit a rocket into right field for the third hit of the inning. James McCarthy, who hit a grand slam on Sunday, drove another fly ball just over the glove of Winchell in left, and all of a sudden it was 6-5 Marblehead.

“We talked a little bit about playing a second game, but the boys really wanted to win the first one and finish the tournament 4-0,” Tubridy said.

If Lynn had won the first game, the two teams would have played another game to decide the championship, but like the Gallant Invitational shirts say: “First team with four wins, wins.”

Lynn beat Peabody Wednesday night to earn a rematch with Marblehead, but had to win twice, and the tournament’s MVP Matt Koopman and the tourney's Top Pitcher Spencer Carr were not going to let that happen.

Marblehead beat Salem, Swampscott and Lynn twice, 13-8 on Sunday night, and Thursday’s one run victory, on the way to the championship.

“It was a pleasure to be around these boys this summer, this is their last shot before they move up to the big diamond and they really played well and made the most of it,” Tubridy said.

McCarthy scored twice and had two RBI’s and Matt Koopman knocked in three runs for Marblehead.

The Gallant champion roster included: Matt Koopman, Drew Bisegna, David Campbell, Spencer Carr, Drew Gally, Braden Haley, Tim Kalinowski, Kyle Koopman, Ben Lavoie, James McCarthy, Thomas Rockett, William Tubridy, Crew Whittier and Griffin Tubridy.

Coaches Michael Rockett, Rob Haley and Doug Koopman assisted Manager Steve Tubridy with the team.

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