The Yankees defeated the Braves last week to capture their third straight title. The first game was arguably the most exciting one of the year. The Yankees won 6 to 5. The Braves, however, had the winning run at the plate with one out in the bottom of the 6th inning. Christian Cappuccio had just hit a double knocking in Colin Marcellus and Liam Fitzmaurice. The Yankees closer Tim Lynch got a ground ball out and then a line drive both to second baseman Talia Forbes to end the game. Noah Schnittjer was the Yankees starting pitcher, throwing 5 innings with 9 strike outs. He pitched extremely well for the team all year. Cappuccio was the hitting star for the Braves with a single, double and triple. Addison Thayer, Marcellus, and Fitzmaurice had 2 hits apiece. Mikey Martinez, Siles, and Theo Sellars also chipped in with hits for the Braves. Phillip Reynard scored the Braves 1st run. Eric Gibson was denied two potential hits by great defense by the Yankees Mikki Mortimer and Vin Rinaldi. Marcellus, made the play of the series making a great catch on a well hit ball by Yankees slugger Sal Rinaldi with the bases loaded in the third inning. Luis Gaviria pitched very well for the Braves, striking out 7 over 5 innings. The Yankees offense was led by Rinaldi with two hits, Lynch with two big RBIs in the 6th inning and Lorenzo Buccella who knocked in the 1st two runs. Anthony Forbes, Mikki Mortimer, Vin Rinaldi, Benny Tritto, And Talia Forbes also had hits for the Yankees.
Game two was all Yankees. Talia Forbes started the action hitting the ball over the center fielder’s head and Sal Rinaldi knocked her in with a line drive up the middle. They picked up 3 more runs in the 2nd on three singles from Tritto, Andres Madrid, Mikki Mortimer, a nice sacrifice by JoJo Forbes and a great at bat by Ethan Mortimer. They broke it open with 7 runs in the 4th. Key hits were a double by Schnittjer, in his last Little League at bat and a game ending single by Lynch. Lorenzo Bucella pitched an outstanding game for the Yankees, helping his cause with several good defensive plays. D. Rinaldi turned in a solid defensive series for the Braves and Cecillia Carretie and Anthony Gibson had several quality at bats. Marcellus, Siles, and Gaviria had hits for the Braves.
The Braves were coached by Dom Rinaldi, Eric Gibson, and Craig Marcellus. The Yankees coaches were Anthony Forbes, Brian Lynch, and Josh Tritto.
This was a great season for East Boston Little League. Attendance is growing every year thanks to our sponsors, coaches, and board. Special thanks go to Brian Lynch and Nick Free who did an outstanding job! The league is lucky to have them.