Late-game heroics hand city bragging rights to Peabody West

LYNN — The Peabody West Little League 12-year-old All-Stars scratched out a gritty 2-1 come-from-behind win over cross-city rival Peabody Saturday at Spagnoli Field to remain undefeated in the winners’ bracket of the District 16 tournament.

Down to its last out and trailing, 1-0, going into the top of the sixth inning, West shortstop Danny Lancaster (1-for-2) doubled home extra hitter Austin Lohnes (2-for-2, run) to stay alive. West then capitalized on an infield error in the seventh, setting the stage for starter Joe Ryan (2-for-3), who cracked a long double to the fence to bring home Ben Wenzel (on base with a fielder’s choice) with the game-winning run.

“I was proud of all the players today,” West Manager Mike McMahon said. “We knew this was not going to be easy and that this was going to be hard. We knew their pitcher was capable of shutting us down, which he did in the spring during the regular season. We just were big on putting balls in play to put pressure on their defense, knowing that if we did that, things were going to happen.”

“We had it. Sixth inning with one out, two strikes, and then their last batter (Lohnes) gets a hit. Then, Danny Lancaster, one of the best hitters in District 16, comes up with a big hit to tie it,” Peabody Manager Mike Harris said. “Then, it’s Joey Ryan who gets a big hit in the seventh. We thought we had it, but we tip our caps to them. For Peabody and Peabody West, it’s never easy.”

The game was a pitchers’ duel with both Ryan (6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 13 K, 1 BB) and Peabody starter Drew Harris (6 ⅓ IP, 5 H, 2 R, 8 K) throwing strikes and keeping opposing batters off-balance for most of the game with a variety of pitches.

West had runners on base in each of the first five innings, but couldn’t come up with a timely hit. Its best chance came in the top of the third when Paulie Capurso and Lohnes smacked back-to-back, two-out singles only to be stranded.

Peabody had just one hit through the first three innings, but broke through in the bottom of the third to lead, 1-0. Catcher Brayden Morgan (1-for-3) led off with an infield hit and scored on shortstop Teddy Ferrante’s (1-for-2) double. Ryan buckled down and struck out two of the next three batters to contain the damage.

Wenzel came on in relief of Ryan in the bottom of the seventh and slammed the door,  thanks to a couple of big defensive plays. After striking out Peabody’s leadoff man, Wenzel backhanded a hard line-drive for out No. 2. Ferrante gave Peabody hope when he reached on an infield error, but those hopes were dashed by first baseman Justin Devereaux, who made a backpedaling, over-the-shoulder catch on a popup to end the game.

“That play Justin made at first base to end the game was the best thing, considering those are the plays we have been working on,” McMahon said. “Overall, it was a heck of a game, but that could have been a game-changer if it had fallen in. All of these kids, especially Justin, putting in the work on plays like that, to see them come up with making those plays in the biggest spot of the game was great.”

A key play in West’s comeback came in the sixth, which McMahon said “should not be overlooked.”

With one out and Lohnes on first base, leadoff hitter Collin Flynn laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, putting Lohnes in scoring position and setting the stage for Lancaster.

“It’s funny, because he’s quick enough to beat out bunts, but while we bunt and it’s a sacrifice, we know these guys can beat them out,” McMahon said. “We are trying to get them on base in any case. Collin is really good at that and we have a couple of other guys who can do that as well, which gives us options. Obviously, Collin’s bunt today meant a lot.”

Peabody, which had a first-round bye, will not play again until July 6 at Wyoma (TBD).

West is also back in action July 6. That game will be at Peabody.

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