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The Salem Evening News Salem Little League City Series Final Reds 9,Red Sox 5 By MATT JENKINS SALEM -- Stephen O'Grady is still very much a part of Salem Little League. Not a day goes by that O'Grady's name doesn't come up in conversation at the field that was named in his honor after his tragic death three years ago. Now there is something else to talk about. For the first time since 1999, O'Grady's former team, the National League Reds, won the city championship. The Reds topped the Red Sox 9-5 last night to win the best-of-three series two games to one. "I really think he had a big part in this without really being here. I know he just kind of looked down on the Reds from the start of the playoffs on," Reds manager Joe Cross said. "He was my next door neighbor and my best friend. You just can't help but think about him. It's part of everyday life now to come down here and see the field named after him and things like that. It's good luck, I think." Cross, who coached with O'Grady for seven years, was visibly shaken after the game. The championship was a bittersweet moment. "Words can't describe how I feel. Without Steve here, it's tough being out on the field every day," Cross said. "I can't say enough about the kids. They played unbelievable and the 12-year-olds really stepped it up. But it's just tough doing this without Steve." The Reds were predominantly a 12-year-old team. Seven of the 12 players are in their final year of eligibility, and they all made contributions last night. Nick Fraser provided most of the clout, belting a pair of homers, driving in five runs with three hits, and earning the save with one shutout inning. "He really just came through in the clutch," Cross said about Fraser. "As a 12-year-old, you dream of this. He really had a game-and-a-half. I can't say enough about the kid. He's unbelievable." Fraser struck for the first time in the top of the first. The Reds hung a 3-spot on the board on RBI hits from Owen Grover, Fraser, and Mike Mento. The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the second when Willy Lopez scored on an error. The Reds quickly pushed the lead back up to three runs, however, when Fraser blasted a solo shot to center field in the top of the third. Niko Welch led off the bottom of the third with a single and Eric Clifford followed with a single of his own to put the pressure back on the Reds. Later in the inning, Dylan Carr and Lopez each came through with RBI singles to cut the Reds' lead to 4-3. The Reds once again answered with a single run in the top of the fourth when Andrew Hinton led off with a towering home run to center field. The Red Sox responded with one run in the bottom of the fourth when Welch, who singled, eventually scored on a passed ball. The Reds, however, broke the game open with a three-run fifth inning. Angel Rodriguez singled and moved to third on Grover's double. Red Sox manager Mike Bolduc elected to lift Lopez, his starting pitcher, in favor of Matt Bertone. Fraser then greeted Bertone with a three-run shot on his first pitch. "They have some good hitters and they played very well," Red Sox manager Mike Bolduc said. "We had some good pitching and a lot of good hits too, but the Reds did what they had to." The Red Sox got one run back in the bottom of the fifth, when Carr scored on a passed ball. Alejandro Alvares, though, made it 9-5 with a bases-loaded single in the top of the sixth. Fraser then came on to slam the door. Hinton pitched the first three innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out four. Alvares tossed the next two innings, allowing two runs and four hits. Clifford led the way for the Sox, collecting three hits. Carr, Lopez, and Welch each chipped in with two. The Reds, who finished the season 15-6, beat the Astros, two games to none, in the National League championship. The Red Sox, meanwhile, finished 15-7 with a two games to one win over the Indians for the American League championship.  |
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