Tewksbury Seniors, Juniors Fall In Little League State Finals

The tremendous post-season runs for the Tewksbury Little League Junior and Senior All-Stars came to an end this week, as they were both swept in the best-of-three State Finals at LeLacheur Park in Lowell.

The Juniors fell to Oxford, 13-1 and 23-10. The Seniors were beaten by Auburn, 8-2 and 13-1.

After getting manhandled in their first game, Tewksbury came out and gave Oxford everything they could handle in Game 2. Through five innings, Tewksbury had built a 9-8 lead.

Things went downhill from there, however, as Oxford erupted with six runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good. They tacked on nine more in the seventh to put the game away.

Oxford advances to the Eastern Regionals in New Jersey, beginning Aug. 4.

The Seniors, who had played so well in the post-season, even after the death of their coach, Ed Sullivan, just could never get their bats going against a tough Auburn squad. They scored a run in the first inning of Game 1 to take a 1-0 lead. But after that the Redmen bats were silenced.

In Game 2, Auburn settled matters early with four runs in the first inning and five in the third to build a 10-1 lead.

Auburn advances to the Eastern Regionals in New Jersey, beginning Aug. 3.