Portsmouth 10-year-olds eliminated from state tourney

Fall to Lincoln in semis

Posted 7/27/16

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth 10-year-old Majors All-Star baseball team was eliminated from the state tournament Tuesday night when it lost to Lincoln, 9-1, in a semifinal matchup.

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Portsmouth 10-year-olds eliminated from state tourney

Fall to Lincoln in semis

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth 10-year-old Majors All-Star baseball team was eliminated from the state tournament Tuesday night when it lost to Lincoln, 9-1, in a semifinal matchup at Pineview in Pawtucket.

Lincoln got off to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Portsmouth answered right back. In the bottom of the frame, Nick Spaner drew a walk and proceeded to steal second, third, then home to tie it up 1-1. 

That's all the scoring Portsmouth would muster, however. The locals managed only two base hits on the day (from Spaner and Shane Harvey).

While things didn't go Portsmouth's way, there were many positive moments in the game. The pitching of Harvey and Brennan was on-point and quite strong. The Portsmouth defense made some excellent defensive plays. 

George Smith made a diving base hit-robbing play in left, while the defensive play of Seth Whittington, Derek Gesmondi, John Mass, Connor Swider, Brennan and Spaner valiantly tried to keep them in it. 

Unfortunately, several miscues and seeing-eye base hits from Lincoln (sandwiched around a Lincoln home run) combined to seal Portsmouth’s fate.

Portsmouth manager Craig Spaner had nothing but praise for his team. 

"This is a great group of boys. Plain and simple; a true team,” he said. “They give their heart in every game they play. The score didn't land in our favor today, but I hope they can hold their heads high and appreciate all they have accomplished. They are a tremendous group of boys who played quality baseball this summer. A wonderful and talented team to coach. We are certainly looking forward to another chance next year."

Coventry 15, Portsmouth 0

The District 2 champions started the tournament off on bad foot Saturday, when it fell to Coventry National, 15-0, in a mercy-rule shortened game.

Shane Harvey was the only Portsmouth batter to get a hit, as everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Walks, wild pitches and cold bats sent Portsmouth to their first loss of the post-season.

"We just didn't have it. Our bats went cold and we had difficulties on the mound. We certainly didn't play like ourselves,” said Portsmouth manager Craig Spaner.

Portsmouth 11, Cranston West 2

Portsmouth had better luck against Cranston West, which it drew for Sunday's matchup. In a do-or-die game, everything that could go right, did go right. 

With no score going into the top of the second, Portsmouth came alive when Derek Gesmondi tripled to deep center. The locals drew first blood when Seth Whittington singled in Gesmondi for the game's first run. Next up, John Cawley doubled in Whittington, making it 2-0 Portsmouth.

In the top of the third, Luke Brennan walked. Nick Spaner drove him in with a single, but was forced out at second on a John Mass fielder's choice. Mass was out at second on a Harvey fielder's choice, but Harvey was able to come around, scoring on Gesmondi's single.

Portsmouth halted a Cranston West rally in the bottom of the fourth, which may have been the turning point in the game. With their first two batters scoring, and down 4-2, Cranston West loaded the bases with one out. Cranston ripped a hard shot down the third base line. Harvey snared the ball, stepped on third for the force out and quickly fired home to Spaner, who applied the tag at the plate for the inning-ending double play.

Portsmouth wasn't finished. 

In the top of the fifth, Brennan doubled. Spaner doubled, scoring Brennan, then advanced to third. Tagging up, Spaner scored on Mass's sacrifice fly to left, and Harvey grounded out to the pitcher for the second out of the inning. Gesmondi singled, Whittington walked, and Gesmondi scored on a passed ball.

In the sixth, George Smith walked to start the inning, and was later singled in by Harvey. Gesmondi notched his fourth hit of the day, driving in Spaner. On a 3-2 pitch, Whittington hit the base of the fence, scoring Gesmondi, and Portsmouth went on to win, 11-2. 

Mass threw brilliantly on the mound, striking out three while giving up only three hits in 3-2/3 innings. Brennan followed with a great performance of his own, throwing two innings, striking out four. George Smith needed only six pitches to close out the game for the final out.

“Our pitching was fantastic, as was our defense,” said Mr. Spaner. “Our offense got going and the boys never gave up. They are a resilient team with a ton of heart. I'm super proud of their resolve."

Portsmouth team members are Ryan Bolusky, Luke Brennan, John Cawley, Derek Gesmondi, Shane Harvey, Jack Humm, Jay Humm, John Mass, George Smith, Nick Spaner, Connor Swider, and Seth Whittington. Coaches are Mike Brennan and Jim Mass, and Craig Spaner is manager.

Portsmouth Little League

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