A sunny Tuesday morning turned into a gloomy one for the Lynnfield baseball team, which surrendered a two-run lead in the top of the seventh inning to lose 4-3 against Newburyport.
It was a game of defense – look no further than Lynnfield’s Dave Tracy who retired six batters. But in the end, the Clippers found that crucial offensive spark, completing a comeback and stealing a win in enemy territory.
“Both pitchers definitely did enough to win,” Lynnfield coach John O’Brien said.
The Pioneers led 3-1 in the top of the seventh. With two men on base, O’Brien pulled Tracy.
Newburyport’s next batter drove in a run with a single. After a stolen base from the Clippers, there was a player on second and third when Newburyport’s batter drove a deep ball to left center, bringing in both to take a 4-3 lead.
“We took him out in the last inning and, to their credit, they came back. They hit a nice ball and brought in the run,” O’Brien said.
With one last chance and three outs remaining, the Pioneers were, oh, so close. With just one out and two players on, it wasn’t meant to be as the Pioneers hit into a double play to end the game.
“We had a nice chance at the end, but we hit into a double play. We hit into two or three double plays today,” O’Brien said.
Newburyport scored in the first inning, but O’Brien’s squad didn’t let it last long as Dorman hit a two-RBI triple in the second inning to give Lynnfield the lead.
“It was a good inning. We had two singles and then a two-RBI triple which was great to answer. We had a shot to get a couple more, but we couldn’t push it through,” O’Brien said.
The Pioneers left multiple runners on base, something to reflect on later.
“We had two innings where we had an opportunity to bring in some runs, but couldn’t get it done and, in the end, that came back to hurt us,” O’Brien said.
But as shown this season, all the way since its first game against Classical, Lynnfield’s defense has been strong.
“Our defense played very well. All of the kids play well on defense. That’s a credit to our coaches. They put them through their paces,” O’Brien said. “We don’t just show up and hit some lazy ground balls. They work hard and it was on show today. Our defense kept us in the game.”
Despite Lynnfield’s first loss, O’Brien said his group’s mindset remains strong.
“Their attitude has been great. Guys have been alive in the dugout, [and] our practices have been great, too. Our four captains have been great with these kids,” O’Brien said.
