DeMattio and Sinacola Cap off Signature Year, North Attleboro Claims Div. 2 Crown

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Lowell, Mass. – Zach DeMattio and Nick Sinacola capped off a record-setting year for North Attleboro in perfect fashion.

DeMattio went 2-for-2 with four RBIs and a pair of stolen bases while Sinacola twirled a complete game allowing no earned runs as North Attleboro took home the Division 2 State Title with a 4-3 win over Beverly on Thursday night at LeLachuer Park.

One season after missing the postseason altogether, DeMattio and Sinacola were the cornerstones of a Red Rocketeers team that thrived under first year coach Mike Hart. North Attleboro finished the season 21-2 with its only two losses coming to Super Eight champion Franklin and Mansfield.

“Our whole lives we have been preparing for a moment like this, and to get in that dog pile, there is no better feeling," said DeMattio.

Through the first four and a half innings, Sinacola and the Red Rocketeers cruised. The North Attleboro ace allowed just one hit through the first four frames while his team jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the fifth that changed as Beverly got to Sinacola. Panthers’ starting pitcher Spencer Brown drilled an opposite field, two-out three-run triple to pull the Panthers within 4-3.

After Sinacola faced the minimum in the sixth the Panthers threatened in the seventh. Hoping to walk-it-off, Ryan Munzing drew a leadoff walk. On the very next pitch, however, DeMattio picked off Munzing at first to preserve the Red Rocketeers’ one-run win.

“We have been on (Zach and Nick's) back pretty much all season," said Hart. "There are a lot of guys who contribute, and have stepped up big time. But tonight, stick with your strengths and those two guys are our strengths."

Sinacola finished his complete game having surrendered just five hits and compiling eight strikeouts.

“Me and Zach (DeMattio) have been playing together forever, since we were eight. We really all have," said Sinacola. "Early in the game my curveball was a little bit off, but later in the game I started feeling it more and the results showed."

DeMattio got North Attleboro on the board in the top of the first. After Sinacola singled and stole second, the Red Rocketeers’ catcher lined an RBI single to right to put the Red Rocketeers on top, 1-0.

The sides traded zeroes in the second, but in the third North Attleboro added to its lead courtesy of DeMattio once again. A hit batter and a Sincola base hit put two on with nobody out, and DeMattio lined an 0-2 pitch into the left center field gap for a two-run double to give the Red Rocketeers’ a 3-0 lead.

Outside of his results against DeMattio, Brown turned in a solid performance on the mound for the Panther. Beverly’s ace went seven innings allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out 10.

“Beverly is a great team. That's exactly what we expected," said Hart. "Our guys have been through like this before though. Nick Sinacola is one of the best pitchers in this entire state and we expected him to finish it out."

DeMattio provided what proved to be the game winning run in the top of the fifth. Brendan McHugh walked, stole second, moved over to third and a fly out to left, and scored on DeMattio’s sacrifice fly to increase North Attleboro’s cushion to 4-0.