Gloucester, Milton Winners On Day 2 Of Little League Tourney

Gloucester established itself as the team to beat after two rounds of the Massachusetts State Little League Championship. In a matchup of Thursday's two winners, Gloucester beat Holden, 7-5. In the other game, Milton Nationals beat Melrose, 11-1, in four innings.

The tournament resumes today at noon with Holden (1-1) facing Melrose (0-2). At 3 p.m., Milton National (1-1) plays Gloucester (2-0). Also Saturday, the Fenway Showcase come to Benevento Park in North Reading from 1-4 p.m. The Green Monster-inspired truck features interactive baseball activities letting kids and families get into the game and experience baseball like the pros.

In Friday's action:

Gloucester 7, Holden 5 -- Gloucester’s Drew Macchi earned the win on the mound. He entered the game with a bases loaded, no-out jam in the first and escaped masterfully to keep his team close. He ended up pitching 5.1 solid innings, allowing three runs, six hits, and striking out five against a potent Holden lineup. Jared Lucido recorded the final two outs to earn the save.

Milton 11, Melrose 1 -- Milton National scored in each of its at-bats, getting its first run when Patrick Schultz smashed a homer to lead off the bottom the first, and they took the lead for good moments later when Jack Finnegan doubled and then came around to score on a wild pitch. Schultz and Finnegan would finish with three hits apiece, part of an 11-hit attack by the winners.