Spirits rally, Royals fall 4-3

The Newton Royals looked for their third straight win as they drove up to Lynn to take on the Spirits at Frey Playground.  The Royals sent Jimmy Selig to the hill fresh off his complete game win over the Northshore Giants.  The Spirits countered with Steve Lippi.  In what was mostly a pitchers duel all game, the Spirits rallied and came out on top.

The two starters kept the bats quiet until the top of the fourth inning.  Royals Left fielder Joe Cloutier led off the inning with a walk.  Right fielder Bryan Weber roped a triple deep over the left fielders head scoring the Royals' first run.  Weber would score on First baseman James O'Neil's fielders choice and an errant throw allowed O'Neil to move into scoring position at second base.  Two batters later, Selig grounded to third and a throwing error by Spirits Third baseman Ali Jones allowed O'Neil to score putting the Royals up 3-0.

Selig was cruising through the game not allowing a hit through five innings but things fell apart for the Royals in the bottom of the sixth.  Mike Tufo and Eddie Moran ripped back to back singles to start the inning and an errant throw to third in attempt to throw out Tufo went wide of the bag and out of play allowing the first Spirits run.  Two batters later, Pinch hitter Elvin Polanco ripped a triple to left center field driving in another run.  After a walk, Polanco would score on an RBI groundout by Shortstop Matt Haley tying the game.  Spirits Right fielder Aron Finkelstein followed with a double to center field plating the go ahead run.

Lippi finished what he started and closed out the game with a 1-2-3 seventh securing the win for the Spirits.  Lippi finished with a complete game seven innings pitched yielding 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits while walking 2, striking out 6, and hitting one batter.

The Royals get 10 days off and will take on the Medford Titans on Sunday June 2nd at 2pm at Brandeis University.