Wyoma in District 16 Final: Alcock, Anderson Hit Game-winning Home Runs

The Wyoma Little League All-Star team has advanced to the championship round of the District 16 Tournament. Pictured at Reinfuss Field are, front row, from left, Andrew Luciano, Brendan Lannon, Billy Norcross, Nicholas Galeazzi, Jared Defillipo, and Christopher Kelly. Back row, from left, are coach David Galeazzi, Carter George, Shawn Anderson, manager Rick Anderson, Kyle Finnigan, Daniel Lauria, coach Bob Alcock, Anthony Magwood, coach Chris Kelly, and Connor Donohue.

The Wyoma Little League All-Star team has advanced to the championship round of the District 16 Tournament. Pictured at Reinfuss Field are, front row, from left, Andrew Luciano, Brendan Lannon, Billy Norcross, Nicholas Galeazzi, Jared Defillipo, and Christopher Kelly. Back row, from left, are coach David Galeazzi, Carter George, Shawn Anderson, manager Rick Anderson, Kyle Finnigan, Daniel Lauria, coach Bob Alcock, Anthony Magwood, coach Chris Kelly, and Connor Donohue.

The Wyoma Little League All-Star team is ready for the District 16 championship round tonight (Thursday) after winning four straight games and emerging from the winners’ bracket.

Manager Rick Anderson’s contingent can lay claim to the district title with a victory over defending champion Peabody West, who ousted upstart Lynn Shore in the losers’ bracket final.

After routing Winthrop in the opener, Wyoma has proven its mettle with hard-fought wins over Peabody Blue (5-4), Nahant (4-2), and Peabody West (2-1).

Ace pitcher Bobby Alcock is having a phenomenal tournament, posting a 4-0 record while clouting a game-winning home run against Peabody West. Alcock tossed a one-hitter in that memorable pitcher’s duel with Peabody’s John Mulready. The tall and talented right-hander hit four home during Wyoma’s regular season.

“That was the showdown between two undefeated teams,” said Anderson. “You had two workhorses on the mound and it was a classic. Bobby is a power pitcher.”

Kyle Finnegan has been Wyoma’s dependable relief pitcher and is also helping the offense with his potent bat. Connor Donohue closed out the Peabody Blue game by getting the final three outs. Donohue bats third in the order in front of powerful cleanup batter Brendan Lannon.

One of the most exciting moments of Wyoma’s run was a game-winning home run by Shawn Anderson in the 5-4 win over Peabody Blue. It was the first career home run for Anderson, who is the son of the Wyoma manager.

Anderson ripped a fastball over the Pine Hill Little League left centerfield fence with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning following a double by Chris Kelly and a triple by Jared Defillipo.

“I was just hoping for a single from Shawn,” said Rick Anderson. “He turned on a fastball. He had hit the fence in practice and had some close calls during the season but this was his first home run. As soon as he hit, I knew it was gone. I just watched it go and I turned back around to see his face at second base and Shawn was all smiles.”

Also watching the memorable home-run blast was Shawn’s mother, Valerie, who was stationed beyond the right centerfield fence.

In a display of sportsmanship, Peabody Blue pitcher Sean Letarte gave Anderson a high-five as he was running down the third base line toward home plate.

“I didn’t really think it was out when I hit it but when my dad kept waving his arms, I knew it was gone,” said Shawn, who turned 12 on June 1. “It was a waist-high fastball and I caught all of it in the heart of my bat. It felt good to hit my first. I hope to hit more home runs.”

Shawn, who plays first base, was involved in the game-ending 1-6-3 (Donohue-to-Defillipo-to-Anderson) 1-6-3 double play.

“We have a chance to win the Districts,” said Shawn. “And my dad’s a good coach.”

Rick Anderson said Alcock’s pitching has kept the team in games while the offense has been producing key hits and the defense is making the plays.

Kyle Finnigan will likely get the starting nod Thursday night.

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