LYNN — Is there anyone in District 16 that can beat Lynnfield?
In their first two games, the 12-year-old All-Star Pioneers have outscored opponents 19-0 and given up just three base hits.
Friday night, at Wyoma, it was more of the same with the Pioneers prevailing over previously-undefeated Swampscott 11-0.
Starting pitcher Nico Mandell and brother Luca Mandell combined for another no-hitter — the team’s second. Nico Mandell struck out 13 across 5 1/3 innings with three walks and one hit batter. Luca Mandell came on in relief with one out in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out the only two hitters he faced to seal the win.
Leadoff hitter Matt Cavallo had a game to remember, going 3-for-3 with four runs, three RBI, a solo home run, and a two-run double.
Lynnfield manager Chris Cavallo said the key was getting a fast start.
“Getting ahead early, right away with three runs in the first inning, and then having Nico settle in was key,” Cavallo said. “He may not have been as sharp as his last game, but once again, they weren’t touching him. There were very, very few batted balls again today.”
In fact, there was just one — a ground out to second off the bat of Teddy Weissman leading off the bottom of the sixth.
“They got out pretty fast and had that big kid throwing hard,” Swampscott manager Jim Fitzgerald said. “They’re a good team. We only gave up four hits through five innings, but were down 6-0. That’s just baseball. Again, hats off to Lynnfield. Our team didn’t give up; they showed fight. They endured some adversity but they fought right to the end.”
Lynnfield jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the big hits being a three-run double off the bat of Nico Cavallo (2-for-2, R) and an RBI single off the bat of Maverick Murphy (1-for-3).
Lynnfield added two more runs in the third. No. 12 hitter Jack Feeley (1-for-3, 2 R) led off with a single. Matt Cavallo and Nico Mandell followed with walks to load the bases for Nico Cavallo, who drew a walk, scoring Feeley. John Kayola then hit a long sacrifice fly to right that brought Matt Cavallo home and made it 5-0.
“When you look at our lineup, you see the lower part of the order, but don’t underestimate those kids as they can hit,” Chris Cavallo said. “That was a big hit from Jack to get that inning going.”
Matt Cavallo led off the fifth with a solo shot to left-center field.
“He’s a good hitter and a tough guy to get out,” Chris Cavallo said. “That home run at-bat was an excellent at-bat. He was down in the count and worked it to a full count. Pitchers make mistakes and he made them pay on that one. That’s what good hitters do.”
Lynnfield broke the game wide open with five runs in the top of the sixth, the big hits being Matt Cavallo’s two-run double, an RBI single from Marco Bevilacqua (1-for-3, R), singles from Ben O’Hara (1-for-3, R) and Genaro Antonelli (2-for-2), as well as an RBI single from Luca Mandell (2-for-3).
A bright spot for Swampscott was reliever Ty Calichman (K, 2 BB, HBP). He allowed only one run on two hits across 2 2/3 innings.
Fitzgerald said the Big Blue showed signs of rust after being off for 12 days.
“We last won on June 28, so we were a little rusty, but we’re not discouraged. I think we have a pretty good team,” he said.
Lynnfield’s next game is Sunday against the winner of Friday’s night game between Winthrop and West Lynn (too late to print).
“West Lynn has two no-hitters, so they have really good pitching and are a big, strong team,” Chris Cavallo said. “Winthrop has a really good lefty pitcher and they also swing the bat well.”
Swampscott is back in action Saturday against Peabody West at Lt. Ross Park.
“That should be a good game as well,” Fitzgerald said. “They’re a good team.”
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