Sudbury Little League Majors Playoff Roundup

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The following was submitted by Paula Mackenzi.)

SUNDAY, June 10

Royals 8, Rays 7

The Royals ended their season with a hard-fought playoff victory over the Rays. James Ensley got the save for the Royals with a solid sixth inning relief performance and was backed by great defensive plays from Ryan Cusick (1B, 2B, RBIS, RS) and Ethan Beatty (2B, RS), who made a spectacular catch in right field to end the game. Drew Teitelbaum pitched 2 1/3 innings of solid middle relief for the Royals and did not allow a run. Teitelbaum got a crucial strikeout in the second inning to end a scoring threat by the Rays.  The Rays took a 5-1 lead in the first on key hits from Xan Ottenberg (1B, RS) and Tyler George (2 1B, RS, 2 RBIs), Christian Smith (2 1B, RBI). Chris Reilly, Brett Parker and Jake Titus each scored a run in the first and Tim Quirk and Ryan Barerra each drew a bases loaded walk for RBIs. Stephen Brackett scored a run in the second and made an unbelievable catch in third base foul territory in the fifth inning, and Jake Titus made a great catch in right field in the second. Ben Kateman pitched one inning and did not give up a run as did Brackett. Tyler George started the game for the Rays, threw 13 pitches and gave up just two hits and one run. The Rays scored runs in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings with 10 of their 11 batters reaching base safely at least once during the game. Braden O’Connell (1B, RBI), Jack Maillet (2B, RS), Abby Volo (1B, RBI), Cusick, Sam Winneg (1B, 2 RS, RBI) and Jake Mackenzi (1B, RS) all made great defensive plays for the Royals. Seamus Fagan (3 IPs, 2 Ks) started the game for the Royals and threw a perfect pitch for a crucial called third strike on a full count to end the first inning. Noah Gies tossed the fifth inning and gave up just two hits and a solo run. Gies made a great 1-3 play to Winneg and also had one strikeout.

Cardinals 17, Giants 1

The Cardinals received a good overall team performance in defeating the Giants in playoff competition. William Fletcher (1 2/3 IP, 3Ks), Ben Hankey (1 1/3 IP 2Ks), and Kyle Smith (1 IP, 1K) all did a solid job on the mound. Offensively, all ten Cardinals batters reached base and scored at least one run and were led by Smith, Connor Lachman, Jacob Pullen, and Ivan Orup who each had two hits. The Giants’ lone run came in the first inning on a walk to Keith Schmelter who scored on a Matt Cunningham double. Schmelter had three stolen bases in the game. Defensively for the Giants, TJ Hall recorded the teams’ third double play of the season snaring a line drive shot to him at second base then stepping on the bag to double up the Cardinals’ baserunner for a nifty unassisted double play.

Orioles 2, Rangers 1

The Orioles and Rangers played a tight, defensive playoff game with the Orioles narrowly edging the Rangers for the victory. The Rangers had superb pitching by Tristan Wolf and Joey Caloiero. The offense was led by Chandler Katz (3 hits) and Alec Zaccardo (2B, 1B, RBI). The defense was outstanding throughout the game highlighted by big plays from Katz, Charlie Cavanaugh, and JB Clarance. The Orioles matched the Rangers tough defensive play with several defensive gems of their own including key plays from Haydn Herrema and Vincent Richard at second base. Brendan Frain made a sliding catch in center field and Harrison Reiter took away a hit from the Rangers on a play at first base.Each of the 10 Orioles’ players recorded at least one put out in the field with Nate Nickerson recording three of those plays. Archie Stewart (3 IP, 22 pitches, 19 strikes) and Brendan Frain (3 IP) kept the game close on the mound for the Orioles. The Orioles’ key hits came from Frain (1B, RBI), Nickerson (1B, 2B, RS) and A.J. Cataldo (RBI).

Marlins 11, Phillies 5

The Marlins took an early lead and coasted to a playoff victory over the Phillies. The Marlins opened the game with a four-run first inning led by RBI singles by Max Solomon, Milind Lele, and Kenny Ho.  The Marlins’ bats continued to dominate Phillies’ pitchers in the second with consecutive doubles by Jonathan Vellom and Dan Desmaris that set up another run-scoring base hit by Solomon. The Phillies’ pitching staff settled down and Ethan Benton (3 Ks) pitched two scoreless innings and was backed up by two spectacular defensive plays by teammates Declan Forde, who hustled to catch a foul ball down the third base line and whose throw from left field nabbed a Marlins’ baserunner trying to advance to third base. The Phillies chipped away at the Marlins’ lead with key hits by Peter Rizzotti (3-3, 3B, 2 RS), Justin DiPietro (1-2, RS) and James Dillon’s home run over the centerfield fence. Marlins’ pitchers Thomas Palmer (2 IP, 2Ks) and Desmaris (2 IP, 1 ER) kept the Phillies’ bats quiet and Ho and Will Fraser closed the door on a late Phillies’ rally.

SATURDAY, June 9

Rangers 4, Royals 3

The Rangers rallied with two runs in the fifth inning to defeat the Royals in playoff competition. With two outs, consecutive hits by Chandler Katz (2 1B, RBI, 2 RS) and Michael Kossuth (2 1B, RBI, RS) set up Tristan Wolf’s two-run double to clinch the victory. Wolf also had a base hit in the fourth inning, Kossuth and Katz each banged out a double earlier in the game and provided the Rangers with six innings of outstanding pitching. The Rangers’ defense was superb with key plays made by Joey Caloiero (RS), David Lifson, Colin Garvin, Charlie Cavanaugh, Alec Zaccardo, and JB Clarance. In the first inning, Katz and Garvin turned in a defensive gem of a play when Katz threw a perfect strike from centerfield to Garvin at home who put the tag on Ryan Cusick trying to score from third base. The Royals scattered five hits against tough Rangers’ pitching: James Ensley (1B, RS), Ryan Cusick (1B, RS), Seamus Fagan (2B, RS), Abby Volo (2B, RBI), Sam Winneg (RBI), and Ethan Beatty (2B). Noah Gies made several great defensive plays including a great throw to Cusick and snagged a high pop fly at second base. Jack Maillet made a great on the ground catch in right field for an out, and Jake Mackenzi caught a hard-hit line drive at second base.

Athletics 8, Rays 0

The Athletics shut out the Rays in a playoff game on the strength of solid pitching and timely hitting. The A's were led by their pitchers, William Stone (3 Ks), David Andrysiak (3 Ks), and Max Durante (4 Ks).  They were backed by their teammates’ good defense, including Ben Fasciano lunging to catch a bases loaded line drive, a strong throw from Kunaal Verma and a good stretch from William Stone to get a key out at first.  Verma and Peter Lindblom each had three hits for the A's. The Rays’ Christian Smith (1B, BB) reached base safely in both at bats, and Stephen Brackett, Xan Ottenberg, Jake Titus, and Tyler George all had a base hit. Rory Bordiuk made a great play at shortstop, tagging out an A's base runner. Catcher Chris Reilly made a strong throw that nabbed an A’s baserunner on an attempted steal. Ottenberg and Brett Parker pitched well for the Rays.

Cardinals 10, Pirates 5

The Cardinals received great pitching from Jacob Pullen (3 IP, 6Ks) and Jack Fletcher (3IP, K) to lead the Cardinals to a playoff victory over the Pirates. The Cardinals’ offense was highlighted by Pullen (3-4, 1B, 2 2B, RS, 3 RBIs), Kyle Smith (3 RS, RBI), Conor Lee (3 RS), Connor Lachman (2 RS) and William Fletcher (2 RBIs). Defensive stars of the game were Ben Hankey who had two unassisted putouts at third base and Ivan Orup who made two great catches in centerfield in the top of the sixth to preserve the victory. The Pirates offense was lead by Matt Perricone (3 1B, 3 RBI), Nicholas Mitchell (2 1B, R, 2 RBI), Jack Sorbo (2 1B) and base hits from Jack Reading, Jake Erman, and Joey Palmerino.  Pirates’ pitchers Perricone, Sorbo and Erman limited the Cardinals to five hits. Pirates’ catcher Andrew Sanderson made a nice play on a passed ball to recover and throw to Sorbo to nab a Cardinals’ runner trying to score at home.

Giants 5, Marlins 4

The Giants opened the playoff round with solid team pitching and just enough offense to grab the victory from the Marlins. Matt Cunningham (2 2/3 IP, 5Ks, BB), Andrew Guerra (2 1/3 IP, 0 hits) and Keith Schmelter (1 IP, 0 Hits, 2Ks, 12 PC) combined for the win. Cunningham balanced his pitching duties going 2 for 3 at the plate including a double. Two big offensive contributors for the Giants were Jack Carlson's three-run home run bomb to right field and Paul Forester's perfect bunt single in the sixth inning, followed by three stolen bases to seal the Giants’ victory.

FRIDAY, June 8

Phillies 6, Pirates 4

The Phillies edged the Pirates in a see-saw game of quality pitching and timely hitting in this playoff victory. An insurance run in the top of the sixth gave the Phillies a 6-4 lead, but with one out in the bottom half of that inning, the Pirates staged an attempted comeback. George Curry and Tate Ciccolo each drew a walk, but were left stranded when Phillies’ reliever Peter Rizzotti struck out the next two batters to end the rally and preserve the victory. The Phillies got on the board early with a walk and a run-scoring single by James Dillon. The Pirates answered with two runs of their own on back to back base hits by Brett Flanagan and Matt Perricone to take a 2-1 lead. Flanagan struck out the side to keep the Phillies off the bases and Phillies’ pitcher Dillon countered with a couple of strikeouts and a ground ball play to hold on to that slim one-run lead. In the third, the Phillies’ Declan Forde, Aidan Rogers and Rizzotti all reached base, but Pirates’ reliever Andrew Sanderson was tagged for runs on an RBI single by Jack McKeon and Dillon’s fielder’s choice that gave the Philles a 5-2 lead. The Pirates chipped away at the lead on an RBI double by Perricone that scored Flanagan with two outs to cut the lead to 5-3 but Jack McKeon struck out the last batter to end the inning. In the fourth, Ethan Benton, Liam Huston and Dominc Garzone all drew a walk off Pirates’ Nicholas Mitchell to load the bases for the Phillies. Ciccolo came into the game for the Pirates and got out that jam with the help of a great defensive play by teammates Andrew Sanderson behind the plate and two strikeouts.  Flanagan and Jack Sorbo hit back to back doubles to bring the Pirates to within one run in fifth.

THURSDAY, June 7

Athletics 7, Royals 6

Brendon Roche’s base hit down the third base line drove in Peter Lindblom (3-3, 2B, 3B, 3 RBIs) and William Stone (2B, RS) to give the Athletics the walk-off playoff victory. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Stone doubled and Lindblom followed with a base hit to set up Roche’s game-winning hit. The Royals took the lead 6-5 in the top of the sixth on run-scoring base hits by Ethan Beatty (2 1B, RBI) and Jake Mackenzi (3 1B, RBI). The Royals’ starting pitcher Ryan Cusick (3 IP, 3 runs, 3 hits) struck out an impressive nine batters, and Beatty (3 IP, 3 runs, 5 hits) struck out an additional five batters. Cusick also scored a run. All nine Royals’ batters reached base safely. James Ensley (2B, RBI), Seamus Fagan (1B, RS), Abby Volo (RS), Jack Maillet (RS), Noah Gies (2 RS) all had key contributions to the Royals’ offense. The A’s scattered five runs over five innings with Joseph Sziabowski (1B 2 RS), Max Durante (RS), Jake Madden (RS), David Andrysiak (3B, 2 RBIs) each contributing to the Athletics’ offense. Athetlics’ starting pitcher Verma Kunaal pitched three innings and struck out seven batters. Ben Fasciano followed, pitching one and a third innings and made a great defensive play when he knocked down a hard-hit drive by Royals’ Drew Teitelbaum in the fourth inning and got the out at first. Also in the fourth, A’s right fielder Matthew Ference made a spectacular catch for the third out to end a Royals’ bases-loaded scoring threat.

Cardinals 12, Marlins 3

The Cardinals received great pitching from William Fletcher (3 IP, 5Ks) and Jacob Pullen (3 IP, 4Ks) to defeat the Marlins in the opening round of playoff competition. At the plate all nine Cardinals’ batters reached base, led by Fletcher (3-4, 2 2B, 1B, 2 RS, RBI), Ivan Orup (3-3, 3 1B, 2 RS, 3 RBIs), Jack Fletcher (3-3, 3 1B, 2 RS, RBI) and Pullen (2-4, 2 1B, RS).  The Cardinals also played great defense highlighted by plays during the game that nabbed three Marlins’ baserunners attempting to steal - throws from catcher Connor Lachman to pitcher William Fletcher two times on plays at home plate and a throw from catcher Kyle Smith to shortstop Ivan Orup at second base.

Orioles 11, Rays 10

The Orioles scored eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a dramatic come-from-behind, walk-off victory over the Rays. Down 10-3, the Orioles sent 12 batters to the plate and received key hits from Alex Gullotti (2 1B, BB, RBI, 2 RS), A.J. Cataldo (2 1B, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, RS), Thomas Griffin (1B, 2 RBI, RS) and Adam Thomas (1B, RBI, RS). Cataldo delivered the crucial final hit that scored Archie Stewart (2 1B, BB, RBI, 2 RS) with the Orioles game-winning run. The Rays got on the board early in the first inning as hits by Brett Parker (2 BB, SAC, 2 RBI, RS), Chris Reilly (3 BB, 1B, 2 RBI, RS) and Tim Quirk (2 1B, RBI) drove in runs scored by Jake Titus (2 BB, 1B, SAC, RBI, 2 RS), Rory Bordiuk (2 1B, 3 RS), and Tyler George (2 1B, BB, HBP, 2 RBI, 2 RS). The Orioles answered with three runs in the second inning when Vincent Richard (1B, RBI) delivered a key hit. The Rays’ Ryan Barrera delivered a two-run single that scored Parker and George in the third inning. Reilly, Parker and Titus made solid contributions on the mound for the Rays. Bordiuk pitched exceptionally well, striking out five batters and did not allow a run in three innings. Bordiuk also turned over two spectacular double plays at shortstop, one of those plays he combined with Xan Ottenberg to throw out an Orioles’ baserunner at home. The Orioles’ pitching staff of Thomas, Stewart, Griffin and Gullotti combined for nine strikeouts.