By John Madigan
The second game of the North Shore Baseball League finals was a quick one as five innings was all it took for the Beverly Recs to get an 11-1 win over the Peabody Champions via the mercy rule. With the victory, the Recs now hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Dan Mello got the scoring started for the Recs in the bottom of the first when he reached base on a lead-off single and later scored on a passed ball to make it 1-0.
Mello would continue to lead the Rec’s offense with an RBI single in the bottom of the second, then he scored on an error by Peabody shortstop David Ruggiero to make it 3-0. An RBI-double from the bat of Mike Davis followed to make it 4-0 Recs.
In the bottom of the third, Peabody starter David Hor walked the first two batters he faced and was relieved by Connor McRae. The Recs gave McRae a tough welcome as the first batter he faced, Cameron Houze, hit a 3-run home run to give Beverly a 7-0 lead.
Peabody scored their lone run in the game when Recs starter Nick Colanto walked Marc Crovo with the bases loaded in the top of the fourth.
Beverly got the run back in the bottom of the frame when Matt Burgess hit a solo-home run.
Burgess would go on to end the game in the bottom of the fifth with a 3-RBI double to give the Recs the 11-1 win.
Colanto pitched a complete game with three strikeouts and Burgess went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI for Beverly.
Game 3 will be played at Twi Field on Saturday at 7:45 p.m.