Peabody West Blasts its Way to District 16 Title

Another district, another championship for Peabody West.

A narrow win over Wyoma Friday night gave Peabody’s Williamsport All-Star team its sixth straight championship, five in a row in District 15 and now a sixth, following the move to District 16.

Peabody West made it six in a row when Nick Palma cranked a two-run shot just inside the right field foul pole in the bottom of the sixth to power Peabody West to a 3-1 win over Wyoma.

The two teams had split the series heading into Friday night’s game at Volunteer Field in Lynn, Wyoma winning the first match 5-3 in nine innings, and Peabody West pounding out a 12-6 win Thursday night in Lynn, forcing the decisive third game between the two teams.

“Some of the parents who read (on Peabody Patch) Friday morning that I guaranteed we would win Friday night were a little concerned, but I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe in these kids,” Peabody West manager Ed Aiello said after the game. “I have confidence in these kids on both sides of the ball and I knew they’d get the job done tonight.”

Wyoma starting pitcher Kyle Autillio was nothing short of fantastic on the hill Friday night, whiffing eight of the first nine Peabody West batters he faced.

Peabody West finally caught up to Autillio in the bottom of the fourth when Nick Palma blasted a shot to deep center that Wyoma center fielder Travis Ryan tracked down, but when he attempted to make a running catch, the ball caromed off his glove, over the fence for a 1-0 Peabody West lead. Autillio wasn’t the least bit shaken and struck out Rob Murphy, pitcher Conner Corrigan and Zack Crawford to get out of the inning.

Peabody West led 1-0 heading into the top of the sixth behind Corrigan’s right arm, but Wyoma wasn’t ready to hang it up for 2011. Autillio led off the inning with a smash over the center field fence and it was tied 1-1. Corrigan was lifted in favor of Jake Doherty and he got a quick three on two strikeouts and an infield out and the game remained tied after 5-½.

Batting in the number nine spot, Matt D’Amato took Autillio’s second pitch in the sixth and hit a sharp drive to the outfield grass behind second that he beat out for a base hit. With a man aboard and no outs, Palma came to the plate with two homers in to games. The Peabody West leadoff hitter made it three homers in two games, curling a shot inside the right field foul pole and it was party time for Peabody West.

“I was looking fastball, and I got it and was able to hit it out,” Palma said.  “I knew if I didn’t do it, somebody else would do it, we’ve got a great team and I love playing with these guys.”

Peabody West banged out four hits Friday night, singles by D’Amato and Chris Gillen, and two homers by Palma. Doherty struck out two, and starter Corrigan whiffed seven over five full innings.

“We’re off until next Wednesday, we’ll enjoy this win and get right back to work,” Aiello said. “Everybody on this team had a hand in this win tonight, and we’re going to keep rolling.”

Peabody West will play next Wednesday, July 20, against the champs from District 13 or District 14. Log onto Peabody Patch for the latest information on the team.