Massachusetts Clobbers RI, Heads To New England Regional Title

BRISTOL, CT – The Little Leaguers from Rhode Island fell to Massachusetts on Wednesday 10-1 and the boys from Pittsfield will play in the regional championship saturday. The Coventry Little League all stars (2-1) were limited to just one run on seven hits while the Pittsfield American Little League team (3-0) was able to pile on 10 runs on 10 hits. What started as a battle of the unbeatens quickly became a boat race, as Massachusetts plated three runs in three of the first four innings in Bristol, Connecticut.

Rhode Island came into the game looking like an offensive and defensive juggernaut, coming off a pair of 10-0 wins over Connecticut and Vermont. The Coventry kids had been lead by outstanding offensive performances from Tommy Turner, Sammy Fuentes, Jake Mather and Logan Lama. Turner and Lama had been dealing on the mound as well.

But on Wednesday, Turner and Lama labored through 2.2 innings, allowed six runs on five hits. They each walked a batter as well. And while Mather collected three hits on the day, he was the only Coventry player to get the bat going. The rest of the team combined for just four hits.

Meanwhile, Pittsfield's Owen Salvatore stymied Rhode Island, tossing six complete innings and allowing seven hits while striking out six.

The boys from Pittsfield had won a close game against New Hampshire 4-2 Sunday and then rolled over Maine the following day 9-4. Evan Blake lead the way offensively with three hits, two RBIs and four runs scored, including a solo home run in the fifth inning. Antonio Scalise contributed one hit, but it was a big one — a two-run home run in the third inning.

Massachusetts could still see Rhode Island in the final though. On Friday, Rhode Island will play the winner between Connecticut and New Hampshire.

The New England regional championship is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. That champion will go on to play the Southwest regional champion Aug. 16.

Rosters

Rhode Island

Tyler Simon

Tommy Turner

Jake Mather

Logan Lama

Kody Fretts

Nolan LaPerche

Will Owens

Paulie Manfredo

Anthony Colucci

Noah McParlin

Sammy Fuentes

Dylan Mourao

Aiden Wilkins

Massachusetts

Nick Brindle

Ben Jacob

Jake Duquette

Evan Blake

Antonio Scalise
Tommy Mullin

Cam Zerbato

Cam Sime

Owen Salvatore

Roshan Warriar

Walker Abdallah

Ben Cornish

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