Pitchers, beware of power hitter Gio Naples: Hanover U12 Little Leaguers win again
HANOVER – Gio Naples likely would advise spectators against parking their lawn chairs anywhere beyond the outfield fence.
There's plenty of real estate elsewhere – perhaps behind the backstop.
That said, if you're looking for a souvenir from the Hanover U12 Little League team's run this summer, beyond right field could be the perfect spot to catch one.
Just beware: Naples rockets his home-run blasts out of Forge Pond Park at a blistering velocity. He hit his fourth of the summer in the team's 3-0 win over Middleboro on Wednesday in the Section 2 tournament.
“He works really hard. He practices and plays every day,” said Hanover head coach Bob Edgar. “I think sometimes with Gio, people see him and think he’s just a big kid. But he’s got a great eye at the plate, he doesn’t swing at bad pitches and he hits the ball hard just about every time.”
Naples, a left-handed batter, went 2-for-2 with a walk in the win. With the two-run shot in the third inning, Naples plated teammate Liam Norton, who was at first base after a walk, in a cheerful trot around the bases. The entire Hanover U12 team flooded out of the dugout to meet them both at home plate.
"We had a scrimmage against these guys before the All-Stars started, so we knew a couple of names, a couple of guys they had," Middleboro head coach Chad Gillpatrick said. "Unfortunately, that pitch got up a little and (Naples) put it up and over the fence."
The win not only gives Hanover a boost toward a potential appearance in the title game on Saturday, but it also marks the first loss suffered by Middleboro this summer.
Hanover's Dillon Aikins played a major role in it.
With two runs allowed over his last 33 innings pitched this season, the right-handed ace kept his shutdown trend alive by relinquishing just three hits and no runs on Wednesday. He struck out 10 in a complete-game effort.
“He’s been amazing,” Edgar said. “When he goes out there, all you’ve got to do is score one or two."
Mission accomplished on that front.
“Today was, again, kind of the same thing as (last week’s District 8 title game against Scituate); Dillon and Gio are really carrying us,” added Edgar. “We need some other guys to step up, though, to keep going.”
Five batters in the Hanover lineup registered a hit: Naples, Aikins, outfielder Jack Doherty, catcher Ryan Porter and first baseman Danny McGarry, who will command the mound next. Naples and Luke Edgar join Aikins and McGarry as the pitching core Bob Edgar dubs as one of the best around.
“They’ve all done well for five years and I trust them all," Bob Edgar said. "The strength of our team is pitching and it lies with those (guys).”
One loss doesn't end the season for Middleboro. Right-handed pitcher Ayden Morris struck out seven, while Gavin Gillpatrick, Jayden Murphy and Reece Trottier each recorded hits.
“We’re not unstoppable, obviously. We’re beatable. We’ve got to come back – I think these boys will battle back,” said Gillpatrick. “Just come back swinging tomorrow. We have a lot of arms left in the tank for this. Get through tomorrow with a win, and hopefully we get to (the title game) Saturday.”
An error and two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for Middleboro with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Another chance to jump-start the offense presents itself on Thursday against Millbury at 7 p.m., a game that just became more pivotal.
“We just keep pushing these guys. We’ve been hitting the ball, so run support is coming. Stay focused, stay positive, that’s been our (message) talking to these kids," Gillpatrick said. "Play to the last pitch, never give up and (have) good body language. I’m proud of them.”
Millbury was the team that handed Hanover its most recent loss, 2-0, on Tuesday. Bouncing back strong paid off for Edgar's bunch, which will oppose Taunton East on Thursday.
“I think (the win over Middleboro) is big because the kids were a little down after losing yesterday. I think we went into that one thinking we were going to win. We didn’t, we ran into a tough pitcher,” Edgar said. “For them to come in here and get this win, I think they’re going to be really excited for tomorrow and regardless of what happens, they’ve had a great time. They’re going to be up for the game.”
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Naples, Aikins on fire again as Hanover U12 Little League wins again
