Published in the July 17, 2019 edition.
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
SOMERVILLE — Good luck finding a better night for some summer ball.
The Wakefield Merchants and Somerville Royals played under a setting sun and some bright lights at a bustling Trum Field; all with a summer breeze so refreshing, the Splendid Splinter himself may have been fanning you with some practice swings in the on-deck circle.
It was the type of night that may have helped you understand Intercity League baseball.
So this is why they play upwards of 30 games, at night after a long work day or on a Sunday afternoon; all on their on time and their own dime?
Trum isn’t the easiest field to get to, on an 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night no less, but the Merchants showed up with a mostly full team. They’re on a winning streak after all. Why would anyone miss it?
“We’re playing well as a team now, we’ve turned it around,” said Merchants manager Dave Ellegood. “Everybody is coming to play; it’s been a nice winning streak and we’re right back in the middle of the pack for the playoffs. We just have to keep plugging away.”
One of the great things about Trum is if you happen to get to the game a half hour early, there’s usually some free entertainment somewhere within the Somerville institution older than Fenway Park (1903).
Last night, that meant a quick stop at the softball diamond where hits were coming at about a rate of 80 percent.
That rate kept up for the Merchants in the first as the initial four batters reached and Wakefield took a quick 2-0 lead.
That wasn’t the case for the Royals, who were shut down by Wakefield starter and Assumption pitcher Jimmy McNamara. The big righty limited the home team to seven hits and no runs in what was essentially a complete game effort (he was pulled with two outs in the 7th to get Spencer Meyer an appearance).
Seton Hall-bound Jonathan Luders from Lynnfield started things off with a great at-bat and a walk and longtime Merchant Scott Searles ripped a double to set the tone. Reigning ICL MVP Bobby Losanno hit a deep grounder to third, which was played but had no chance on a throw to first as Luders scored.
Wakefield High graduate Anthony Cecere (2-for-4 two RBI’s) followed up with an RBI liner up the middle. “Cess” doesn’t show up on the ICL’s batting leaders page because he doesn’t have the 37 plate appearances to qualify. Instead, he has nine hits, six walks and seven RBI’s in 23 plate appearances for an average of .529 and an on-base percentage of .625.
Is that good?
McNamara’s first out of the game went in the box score as 6-3. It was a little more impressive than that as Luders ranged on a sharp grounder all the way to the right of second base, threw his glove up, controlled the ball and threw a dart to first.
The reaction from the ‘Chents was a mix of applause and awe.
Ellegood turned to his bench with a grin.
“Pitcher’s best friend,” he said.
After the game, Ellegood said that play dictated the game. It was certainly enough for McNamara to feel confident as he walked none, scattered seven hits and struck out two, allowing the defense to make the plays in what were mostly quick innings.
The Merchants added to their lead in the 3rd. Losanno (2-for-3, two RBI’s) and Cecere started the inning off with back-to-back singles and Tyler Lyne later followed with an RBI base hit to make it 3-0. Wakefield native Jake Nardone (4-for-4) singled to load the bags. It was his second of four base hits on the night. Kevin Lucey hit a sac fly to make it 4-0.
A 1,2,3 3rd from McNamara quickly brought up Wakefield’s top of the order in the 4th. Luders walked, Searles singled and Losanno sliced a double down the right field line that stayed just fair to bring home Luders. Cecere followed with a sac fly to make it 6-0 Merchants.
Another candidate for web gem of the day came in the bottom of the 5th with the Royals threatening to break the shutout. With a runner on second, a frozen rope was hit on the ground to Lyne in right, who picked it up on the run and came up throwing home. The Royal rounding third made it halfway home before freezing when seeing the ball flying in front of him. Once he picked up that it was a little off line, drawing catcher Joe Barry to the right of the plate, the runner made a break for it but Barry recovered quickly and made the tag to retire the side.
In the end, the Merchants put together another balanced game in what was their third straight victory and their fifth of their last six.
Ellegood was especially quick to mention the work of the Wakefield natives who have played a big role during this stretch.
“Nardone, I think he’s six for his last six, it’s ridiculous,” said Ellegood. “Mike Sorrentino’s been hitting well for us and Cecere has been stroking it. He’s coming off a great year at UMass Boston.”
The rolling ‘Chents, who now sit fourth in the league with 18 points, one point back of Reading and two back of Alibrandis, will host the Melrose Americans tonight, 6 p.m. at Walsh Field. They play the Royals in a double-header on Sunday.
