In a hard-fought defensive battle that showcased the talent of both squads, the Middletown/Newport 12U All-Stars rallied for two runs in the fifth inning and added an insurance run in the sixth to defeat Portsmouth 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Arthur Sherman Field.

The game marked the conclusion of what had been successful seasons for both All-Star teams, with neither squad able to advance further in tournament play.

Pickens Dominates on the Mound

Middletown/Newport’s Kellan Pickens delivered a stellar performance on the mound, working 5â…” innings while allowing just five hits and two runs—neither of which were earned. The right-hander struck out seven Portsmouth batters and issued only one walk, keeping the Portsmouth offense off balance throughout most of the contest.

Portsmouth countered with a committee approach on the mound, with John Cherry leading the way. Cherry pitched one inning of shutout ball, allowing just one hit while striking out two. The Portsmouth pitching staff combined to allow nine hits while striking out five Middletown/Newport batters.

Offensive Struggles Early

Both teams struggled to generate offense early in the game, with Portsmouth managing just one run through the first four innings despite collecting multiple hits. The game remained tight until Middletown/Newport broke through in the fifth inning.

The visiting All-Stars plated two crucial runs in the fifth frame to take a 2-1 lead, then added an insurance run in the sixth inning to provide the final margin of victory.

Late Rally Falls Short

Portsmouth attempted to mount a comeback in the later innings but couldn’t string together enough hits to overcome the deficit. The home team managed to collect five hits in the game, with JJ Picozzi, Bobby MacMannis, Braydon Martin, Nathan Rosenzweig, and Drew Hackley each contributing one hit.

Chase Tungett provided Portsmouth’s lone RBI, driving in their only run of the contest.

For Middletown/Newport, the offensive attack was led by Kellan Pickens, Tucker Perry, and Flynn Dougan, who each collected one hit in the victory.

Justin Walker is a Newport County native who specializes in sports, portraits, weddings and events as a freelance photographer around New England. Justin has over a decade of experience starting in college covering high profile events, collegiate and professional sports in Washington, D.C. His photojournalism and freelance work can be seen in various local and national publications. Check out his work at justinlwalkerphotography.com!