Winthrop Little League All-Stars off to strong start in District 16 Tourney

The Winthrop Little League 12-year-old team has won its first two games in the District 16 Williamsport Tournament.

Manager Mike Triant’s contingent opened with a 4-0 victory over Pine Hill (Lynn) and followed with a 9-5 triumph over Salem.

Ace pitchers Chase Triant (8 strikeouts) and Bryce O’Brien (6 strikeouts) combined for the shutout in the win over Pine Hill.

Declan Cassidy broke up Pine Hill pitcher Joe Morin’s no-hitter in the fifth inning with a blooper behind the pitcher’s mound. Winthrop took advantage of some walks and then used excellent baserunning to get four runs onto the scoreboard.

Ryan Mackenzie, Tyler Smith, Wyatt Hanlon, and Declan Cassidy scored Winthrop’s runs. Also competing for the Winthrop All-Star team are Gavin Sorrentino, Wyatt Hanlon, Jace Eruzione, Mathew Vasel, and Rich Vivolo.

Chase Triant powers Winthrop past Salem

Chase Triant was 3-for-3 with a home run, two triples, and five RBIs to lead Winthrop in a potent performance. Triant’s towering two-run blast to left center in the bottom of the first (following a leadoff walk by Ryan McKenzie) steered Winthrop on the road to victory.

Triant, son of the Winthrop manager, was the regular season home run champion with six roundtrippers. Interestingly, as a 12-year-old in the East Boston Little League, Mike Triant hit the first-ever home run in the history of Al Festa Field off pitcher Derek Tirrell.

Ryan McKenzie, the team’s tablesetter, drew three walks and scored three runs. Bryce O’Brien had two hits and two RBIs.

First baseman Cam Lounsbury and leftfielder Tyler Smith (a standout at catcher for the ‘A’ Division champion Marlins) have continued their solid play into the post-season.

Hanlon excelling behind the plate

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Wyatt Hanlon has been a big story for Winthrop with his outstanding play behind the plate.

“Wyatt has been amazing,” said Manager Triant. “He’s an AAU player and is very talented. He’s doing a great job.”

Meet the Winthrop coaches

Michael Triant is being assisted on the Winthrop bench by coaches Geoff Lounsbury, Greg Cassidy, and Anthony Sorrentino.

Next up is Peabody West

Winthrop will play perennial powerhouse Peabody West Little League (2-0) for a berth in the winners’ bracket final Saturday (July 6) at 6 p.m. at MacArthur Park in Peabody.

“Peabody West’s 12-year-old team is always tough,” said Triant. “But we have a great group of kids and parents who have bought into our philosophy. Our organization is doing everything we can to put them into the best position and make them realize that hard work is what correlates into success however we define it.”

Bryce O’Brien will get the starting assignment on the hill.