BEVERLY — At 12 years old, Mateo Meeker has certainly developed a flair for dramatic in his young life.
Meeker delivered his second game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning in three days Wednesday, ripping a double to left field that scored teammate Kenny Blake to give the Danvers National Little League Williamsport all-star team a heart-thumping 2-1 triumph over Middleton at Harry Ball Field.
Meeker — whose opposite field two-bagger helped the Nats take out Boxford on Monday night — was again calm in the clutch with two runners on and one out in a tie game. His shot sailed over the head of Middleton’s left fielder and allowed Blake to race around third and into home without a throw.
The dramatic win now means there now be a one game, winner-take-all battle between these two clubs Friday (6 p.m.) back at Harry Ball Field. The winner moves on to the four-team Section 4 tournament, which begins Wednesday, July 16 at O’Grady Field in Salem.
“He’s just a cool cat. He wants to be up in situations like that,” Danvers Nationals manager Ross Graham said of Meeker, who went 2-for-3 on the evening. “We had him hitting lower in the lineup when the (District 15 tournament) started, but he was always putting his bat on the ball and forced us to move him up. He’s been terrific as our No. 2 guy; he and (leadoff hitter) Reece Goehlert have been a great 1-2 punch.”
Danvers National, the defending District 15 champions, have now won three playoff games in their final at-bat in this double-elimination portion of the tournament, including a 6-3 win over Gloucester last Saturday when Ty Gonzalez blasted a grand slam to walk it off.
The game featured dueling hard throwing aces on the mound as David Ambrozavitch toed the slab for the Nats opposite Middleton’s Noah Alexander. Both hurlers went into the sixth and final inning before reaching the 85-pitch limit; Ambrozavitch allowed just three hits and struck out eight over 5 1/3 while working well with catcher Gavin Koufos; Alexander scattered four hits and fanned seven hitters while being in sync with his own catcher, Vincent Ortins.
Middleton, searching for its first ever District 15 pennant, came into this game unbeaten in double elimination play but was obviously hoping to avoid Friday’s ‘if necessary’ contest.
“We know you’ve got to battle Danvers National until the very last out,” said manager Mike Lovett. “Noah pitched great, we felt good bringing in (10-year-old lefty) Matty Antonelli, and he did what we wanted him to … they just executed perfectly.”
Antonelli (the son of former San Diego Padre Matt Antonelli of Peabody/St. John’s Prep) inherited a runner on first with none out. MJ Smith placed a perfect sacrifice bunt down, moving Blake to second base. After Reece Goehlert worked a walk, Meeker’s ensuing hit won it for the Nats.
“Great pitching matchup, great defense by both teams, and some clutch hits,” said Graham of the two squads. “It was exactly what we expected. We have a ton of respect for that team, their players and coaches.”
Danvers National grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Jake Romsavich (who made a great catch in center field off a screaming line drive by Antonelli) doubled to left-center to score Gonzalez. Middleton responded in the top of the second when Dario Susi sliced an RBI single to left to bring home Finn Buser, who had singled to lead off the frame.
Middleton got strong defensive games from Sam Lovett at shortstop and Susi at third base.
“We knew it’d be a close game, and it was. We’ll expect the game tomorrow,” said Lovett, who will turn to Hunter Katz on the mound.
Danvers National will counter with Blake for the title clash.
“We have two dogs and they have two dogs,” Graham said of the two standout pitchers on both squads. “Two of them had a great game tonight, and I’m sure the other two will (Friday).”
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