NORWOOD — The tournament has become popularly known as the state Little League Final Four, but if yesterday's game is any indication, Peabody West is threatening to turn it into the Final One in a matter of days.
You have to be careful not to read too much into just one game, but Peabody West was super impressive, executing in all phases while downing Newton West, 5-1, in the first round of round robin play here at the Massachusetts state finals.
Peabody West jumps right back into tournament play today against Southborough (4:45 p.m.) at Kelley Field. A win would make Peabody West 2-0 and virtually guarantee the team a spot in Sunday's final.
"It feels like you're almost halfway there when you win the first one," said Peabody West manager Bob Sullivan. "It's so important to get off to a good start like this. When you win the first one, it takes a little bit of pressure off you."
Newton West, looking for its first state championship since 1960, provided good competition, but it was stonewalled by the pitching of Bobby Sullivan, who threw a complete-game two-hitter and struck out eight.
Sullivan, who also bashed a three-run homer in the bottom of the first, was remarkably efficient, needing just 47 pitches to get through the first four innings. He breezed through the third inning, retiring the side on a minimum three pitches. He recorded the final out in the sixth with just his 82nd pitch.
Don't underestimate how significant it was for Peabody West to use just one pitcher. Sullivan is ineligible to pitch for the rest of the weekend, but he's already saved the rest of the pitching staff. The Peabody West coaching staff has to feel good that everyone else is available for today's game. Bob Sullivan said that Traverse Briana is "likely" to get the start against Southborough as Peabody West begins to smell its second consecutive state championship.
"There was no need to (hide) Peabody's reputation. Our kids know all about them," said Newton West manager Chuck Barbieri. "They're a solid team, well coached, and you have to bring your 'A' game to beat them. I don't think we did that today."
Newton West starting pitcher Scott Kelly, whose solo homer in the top of the first gave his team a brief lead, lasted just one-plus inning. Kelly was lifted after 20 pitches, the idea being he'll be able to pitch again today based on the pitch count rule. However, his team trailed 3-1 when he was yanked. Joe Rizzo pitched well in relief, yet Peabody West tacked on two runs against him over the next four innings.
The Peabody West offense, which struck out just once all day, exerted pressure on the Newton West defense from the get-go.
Briana, the one holdover from last year's Peabody West team that made it to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., led off the bottom of the first with a single. Kyle Lynch followed with a single and the runners moved up on a wild pitch. Sullivan, batting in the cleanup spot, crushed a Kelly offering over the fence in left and Peabody West was suddenly up, 3-1.
"It felt good," Sullivan, who has five of Peabody West's 10 pitching wins in tourney play, said of his home run. "I wasn't nervous at all (after allowing a homer in the top of the innings). It was just good to get the lead."
Peabody West would pad that advantage with a run in the second as Steve Guttadauro drew a walk and eventually scored on Briana's two-out single, making it 4-1.
Newton West created a stir in the fifth when Sullivan walked Justin Lee and Mike Butera and the runners moved into scoring position with two outs. However, Sullivan struck out Logan Lanciloti-Stark to extinguish the brush fire.
"That was our best opportunity," said Barbieri. "We could have made it (4-3) with a base hit. But you have to give (Sullivan) credit. He got out of it. He was just tough all day. I mean, he threw just three pitches to get us out (in the third). I'm going, okay, how does that happen? But the kid threw so many strikes that there was no reason (to wait him out)."
Matt Tracy, who comes off the bench for Peabody West, came through with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth, knocking the wind out of Newton West's said. It was Tracy's fourth homer in his last three games.
Meanwhile, Peabody West's defense was dazzling. Briana displayed a rifle arm at shortstop and third baseman John Villani was truly spectacular with his quick reactions and superb glove work.
"We call him the vacuum cleaner," said Sullivan, who was more animated talking about Villani's defense than he was about his own pitching performance or three-run bomb. "He can stop anything. If the ball is anywhere near him, he gets it."
Actually, Villani has another nickname, according to manager Bob Sullivan.
"That's Johnny Boggs," said Sullivan, alluding to former Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs, who is in the Hall of Fame. "I don't know how (Villani) does it. Third base just looks like his natural position. He's got the reflexes and everything else."
Peabody West finished with eight hits, including two apiece by Lynch and Sullivan. Josh Freedman came off the bench in the third inning and chipped in a single to center.
The most lighthearted moment of the game occurred when Peabody catcher Bobby Caproni ducked away from a high pitch that still managed to hit his bat for a foul ball. Everyone on the Peabody side chuckled, but Caproni said, "That's not even funny," because it was a strike instead of a ball.
Yes, the Peabody kids are serious about winning this tournament. Very serious.
