Lawrence Little League / New England Divsion

Captain Paul’s  chops down  Carroll’s Tree Farm

Lawrence Little League’s, game of the week this past Saturday night, May 10th at Hughes field kept the fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.  It was a much needed victory for Captain Paul’s as they defeated Carroll’s Tree Farm 10-8.

Pitching for Captain’s Paul’s were Ameer Hasan, Patrick Wert, Aidan Loughran and Max Crouthamel. Pitching for Caroll’s Tree Farm were Nick Ciuffreda, Ben Cohen and Matt Kildea.

On another cloudy, drizzly night, Captain Paul’s sent ace Ameer Hasan to the mound and “The Wall” Kevin DallePazze behind the plate. Carroll’s Tree Farm came out swinging hard early in the first.

Nabil Hachicha went 0-2 but was out after hitting a fly towards right field.  Hasan was on fire as he struck out Justin Wolfe on another 0-2 count.  Next up was Carroll’s Nick Ciuffreda who was walked after a 3-2 count.  With a runner on base, Carroll’s Matt Kildea crushed a double to deep left center field which put Nick Ciuffreda in scoring position. Carroll’s David Ferdetta was up next and hit an RBI single plating Nick Ciuffreda and  Matt Kildea. After a 2-2 count Ben Cohen was struck out by Ameer Hasan and the side was retired.

Captain Paul’s first at bat was off to slow start and their first two batters were struck out. Ameer Hasan singled after a 3-2 count but was left stranded after John Weaver was out at first.

After the first inning things seemed to take off a bit and Captain Paul’s came to life. Maybe the drizzle woke them up!?  Kevin DallePazze stepped into the box and bunted on his first pitch with a roller towards first.  Carroll’s pitcher, Nick Ciuffreda made the quick scoop, hurled it towards first but the first base umpire ruled that Kevin was safe. Nice hustle Kevin !! Next up was Captain Paul’s Sean Corcoran. Sean had a 2-1 count while DallePazze stole second on a high outside pitch. Sean went 3-1 but was walked.  Captain Paul’s next three batters each struck out and once again, left runners stranded.

Top of the third put Carroll’s Nabil Hachicha in scoring position after he singled and stole multiple bases but was later tagged out at third by Captain Paul’s Matt Roman. Justin Wolfe and Nick Ciuffreda crossed the plate after each singled, bringing the score to 3-0.

In his first at bats, bottom of the third, it was Captain Paul’s Hari Narayanam who got things going after he singled to left field. Captain Paul’s Aidan Loughran and Sean Hoffman were walked and Ameer Hasan was hit by a wild pitch loading the bases. Hari scored with an easy run to home. John Weaver was walked and Captain Paul’s stole multiple bases bringing the score to 5-3.

At the top of the fourth, Carroll’s tacked on three more runs after an RBI double by Alex Pasquale bringing in batters David Ferdetta and Ben Cohen.  David Ferdetta was on base after his single to left field while earlier batters Ben Cohen and Sean Johnson were both walked. Carroll’s Sean Johnson was in scoring position at third and scored after a bizarre dropped third strike on Carroll’s Orville Jones and an indecisive move by Captain Paul’s defense.  After the dust cleared, the score was now 6-5 and we had ourselves a heck of a ball game.

It was bottom of the fourth and Carroll’s Ben Cohen took the mound and struck out Captain Paul’s first two batters each on a 2-2 count. Captain Paul’s was not going down easily though as the game was approaching its two hour time limit after only four innings. Cohen then gave up three walks loading the bases putting Captain Paul’s Matt Carson, Hari Narayanam and Aidan Loughran all in scoring position.

As the drizzle started falling once more, it was Carroll’s Tree Farm ahead by one run and Captain Paul’s Sean Hoffman stepped into the box. Sean took a 3-2 count with two outs and bases loaded.  There was nothing Carroll’s defense could do as Hoffman launched the next pitch deep to centerfield. Sean’s RBI double brought in three runs bringing the score to 8-6.

Batters Ameer Hasan and John Weaver were both walked and Kevin DallePazze made it safely to first on a dropped third strike. With runners in scoring position again, Sean Corcoran hit an RBI single plating Ameer and Weaver. With Sean on base and the score at 10-6, this game was not over yet and could go either way.

During the fourth inning, Carroll’s Nick Ciuffreda was injured after the ball thrown to him had deflected off his glove into his right jaw as he was attempting the “tag and sweep.”  Sean Corcoran attempting the steal at second was ruled safe.  Nick stuck it out to finish the inning but was later seen leaving the game.  It was confirmed that Nick Ciuffreda suffered a broken jaw and may be out for a few games. Carroll’s Tree Farm managed two more runs but was unable to take the lead back from Captain Paul’s.  Final score 10-8, Captain Paul’s in their first win against Carroll’s Tree Farm.

“Boys, baseball is a game where you gotta have fun. You do that by winning.” - Dave Bristol