Northwest Cal Ripken opens 2010 season

Nashua Northwest Cal Ripken held its Opening Day festivities on May 2 at Lincoln Park.

The 24 teams of the league opened with team pictures, a parade of players, Emily Riney’s singing of the national anthem and a ceremony honoring the 2009 11-year-old state championship team from Nashua Northwest – Jack Barnes, Cameron Bennett, Spencer Bergeron, Nick Bourbeau, Evan Conners, Ricky Constant, Andrew Dahl, Jeremiah Latham, Ryan Lawes, Shane Legraw, Trevor Lessard, Brian Provencher, Michael Rogers, Greg Stanton, manager Dan Latham, coach Nick Dahl and coach Brian Provencher Sr.

The first pitch of the season was thrown by 2009 Nashua Northwest MVP Anthony Garuti and caught by Constant.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies the AAA Royals took the field against the AAA Orioles and the AAA Braves took on the AAA Indians in the first two AAA games of the season.

NW MAJORS

Braves 10, Cubs 1

The Braves won their season opener behind solid pitching from Jacob Burbank and Larry Lassiter. Burbank pitched four innings, striking out 11 while Lassiter threw two scoreless innings, striking out three.

Max and Mike Osgood (double) both had a pair of hits while Burbank also hit a home run. Gavin Pelletier, Chris Cruz and Shawn Boudreau all scored two runs apiece.

Mike Pelletier had a single while also contributing defensively with a nice catch in the outfield.

Mike Habibi had the only Cubs hit while Xavier Emond walked twice and scored once. Habibi also pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three.

Braves 6, Royals 2

The Braves again received outstanding pitching efforts from Jacob Burbank (six innings), Larry Lassiter (five) and Mike Osgood (three) who combined for 14 strikeouts in the game.

Burbank led the offense with his second home run of the season, two runs scored and three RBIs. Chris Cruz also knocked in two.

Osgood reached base three times, scoring once. Gavin Pelletier had a solid defensive game at third base and also scored once for the Braves.

AAU

NH Knights pick up three wins

The New Hampshire Knights won three games over last weekend.

The U13 team swept a doubleheader in Windham with Dario Vitagliano getting the win in Game 1 with defensive help from Anthony Garuti the catcher and Ethan Brodell at third base. The offense was led by Shea Whalen and Brendan Martin.

In the Game 2, Nick Dube was the winning pitcher for the U13 team with some defensive help from Matt Lavallee. The offense was led by Lavallee and Brodell.

The U14 Knights beat the Firebirds in Nashua, 14-13. James Commisso got the win in relief.

The offense was led by Brendan Robbins with two hits and three runs scored. Chas Dewiit had a big double in the comeback win.