Summer Baseball: Kessinger's gem leads Southboro Little Leaguers

Nolan Kessinger throws a pitch during the Southboro Little League team's 3-0 win over North Leominster at the state tournament in Norwood.
The MetroWest Daily News

Summer Baseball: Kessinger's gem leads Southboro Little Leaguers Nolan Kessinger tossed a two-hit complete-game shutout to get the Southboro Little League team off to an impressive start with a 3-0 victory over North Leominster in the opener of the final round of the state tournament at the Coakley School field in Norwood.

Southboro faces defending state and New England champion Peabody West today at the Coakley Field starting at 4:45 p.m. in the second of a three-game round-robin final round. In the first game yesterday, Peabody West defeated Newton West, which plays North Leominster today. Peabody West competed in the Little League World Series last year in Williamsport, Pa.

In 85 pitches, Kessinger struck out eight and walked one and had one hit-batsman. Southboro supported his pitching with several key defensive plays, including a 6-4-3 double play in the third inning and a diving stop and throw to first by second baseman Mike Morhardt on an put-out in the fourth.

David Wrin had an RBI single and Connor Henderson followed with a bases-loaded walk that plated Jack Harlan as Southboro jumped in front with two runs in the first inning. Kevin Haley belted a double in the third and then an RBI triple in the fifth that drove in Matt Trehub with the third run.

"Winning the first game is very good," said Southboro coach Ken Trehub. "This is very exciting for our guys. The top two teams play Sunday for the state championship."