Sudbury Little League Majors Roundup

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

FRIDAY JUNE 1

Phillies 9, Royals 8

Aidan Rogers’ single scored Dominic Garzone (2-3, 1B, 2B, RBI) with the game-winning run as the Phillies came from behind in the bottom of the sixth inning to edge the Royals. With one out, Alex Cannon (2-3, 2 1B, RBI) singled, and Garzone’s double tied the game at 8-8. The Royals took an early 2-0 lead in the first on run-scoring doubles by Abby Volo (3-4, 2 1B, 2B, 3 RBIs) and Braden O’Connell (2-4, 2B, RBI). The Phillies tied the game on Peter Rizzotti’s (2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs) home run that landed on Morse Road and a run-scoring single by Cannon. In the second, the Royals banged out six hits and scored five runs to take a commanding 7-3 lead and added another run in the fifth. In the home half of the inning, Phillies' batters had four hits, three of them for extra base hits, and scored four runs cut the Royals’ lead to 8-7. All Phillies’ batters reached base safely, and James Dillon, Justin DiPietro and Aidan Sliwkowski each contributed to the offense with base hits. Phillies’ pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and held the Royals scoreless for three innings. The Royals’ Sam Winneg had a perfect day at the plate going 4 for 4 and scored three runs. Noah Gies and Drew Teitelbaum (1B) each scored a run. Defensively, Rizzotti made a spectacular catch in centerfield that robbed Royals’ Ryan Cusick (1B, 2 RBIs) of a home run; Jake Mackenzi (1B, RS) made two great catches in the field; Ethan Beatty (1B, RBI) grabbed a fast-dropping ball in foul territory near first base; and O’Donnell and Beatty combined for back to back 6-3 plays.

THURSDAY, MAY 31

Pirates 9, Marlins 2

The Pirates cruised to victory over the Marlins on the strength of timely offense and tough pitching. The Pirates’ Jack Reading’s tripled and singled, Brett Flanagan added a double and single, and Matt Perricone banged out two base hits. Jack Sorbo drove in a run with a sacrifice fly ball, but was robbed of extra bases on a great catch from Marlins’ centerfielder Will Fraser. Andrew Sanderson, Nicholas Mitchell, Joey Palmerino, George Curry and Tate Ciccolo all reached base and scored. Starting pitcher Sanderson threw three innings and gave up just one run. Sorbo came into the game in relief and allowed the Marlins’ second run. Perricone closed the game with 1 2/3 shut out innings. Defensively, all the Pirates made nice plays, including a 6-4-3 double play turned over by Flanagan, Erman and Sorbo in the first inning: Catcher Mitchell pounced on a nice bunt and made the play to first to get the runner. Second baseman Curry made a great diving catch on a pop fly in short right field for the out.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30

Rangers 7, Orioles 4

The Rangers clinched their division with solid pitching to gain the victory over the Orioles. Rangers’ pitchers, including Tristan Wolf, Michael Kossuth and Chandler Katz, combined for six strikeouts. Katz hit his first home run of the season, a shot over the fence in left center field that gave the Rangers the lead and eventual victory. Other offensive contributors for the Rangers included Kossuth (3B), Caloiero (2 1B, RS), Andrew Gigliotti (2 1B), Colin Garvin (1B, RS), and Charlie Cavanaugh (1B, RBI).  Key defensive plays were made by Cavanaugh, Caloiero, JB Clarance, David Lifson, and Alec Zaccardo. For the Orioles, Thomas Griffin, Nate Nickerson and Alex Gullotti each pitched two innings and struck out seven batters. Gullotti (1B, 2B, RBI, RS) had a big day at the plate. Griffin and Archie Stewart each had two hits and A.J. Cataldo banged out a long double that caromed off the right centerfield fence.

Phillies 16, Pirates 0

The Phillies shutout the Pirates on the strength of a strong offensive attack and tough pitching. Home runs by Jack McKeon (3-3, 2B, HR, 4 RBIs) and James Dillon (3-3, HR, 3 RBIs) led the way. Ethan Benton (2-3, 3 RS), Peter Rizzotti (2-3, 3 RS), and Liam Huston (2-4, 2 RS) also contributed offensively for the Phillies. The Phillies’ pitching staff of Rizzotti (2 IP, 5 Ks), Alex Cannon  (1 IP, 2 Ks) and Dominic Garzone (1 IP, 1 hit) combined for a two-hitter. For the Pirates, the bright spot was a hard hit single by George Curry. Defensively, the Pirates turned in two nice plays. Catcher Jack Sorbo picked-off a Phillies’ runner with a perfect throw to first baseman Jake Erman. Catcher Andrew Sanderson nabbed a Phillies’ base runner attempting to steal second with a perfect strike to shortstop Matt Perricone.

TUESDAY, MAY 29

Athletics 13, Giants 3 (no game summary available)

MONDAY, May 28

Rays 7, Cardinals 5 (no game summary available)