Clifford helps rescue Danvers National in wild comeback victory
By Jean Deplacido

WENHAM - He wasn't manager Dave Gotts choice to start the opening game of the Williamsport Little League District 15 tournament or even his first reliever, but Vinny Clifford turned out to be the key figure of an amazing come-from-behind win by Danvers National here Saturday night.

After a stellar performance both on the mound and at the plate, powering his team to a 17-12 win over a tough Beverly East squad, the veteran manager didn't hesitate when asked about Clifford's spot on the depth chart.

"Right now I'd have to say he is our No. 1 pitcher," said Gotts, after his team came all the way back from a nine run deficit to tie (12-12) and used the long ball to go ahead. "We were looking for a stopper and he got the job done. Beverly is a good hitting team, but even when we were down by so many runs we were never out of it. We're a very good hitting team."

Clifford not only got the win but also provided the big hit to key the comeback. After Danvers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Beverly roared back with eight runs in the top of the second, sending 12 batters to the plate and knocking out starter Tyler King. Brady McLaughlin led off with a solo homer and added a two-run shot in his second at bat in the inning when East collected 10 of its 15 hits.

King gave way to Rafael Tylus, who then turned it over to Clifford with no outs and the bases loaded in the third. After allowing two inherited runners to score, Clifford got out of a potentially big inning when Connor Rollins reached over the fence at the 200 foot mark in straight-away center to rob Mark Vivenzio of a homer to end the inning with Beverly leading, 12-3.

It appeared the game might end after four innings if Beverly could put up one more run (on the 10-run mercy rule), but Clifford and his teammates had other ideas. They rallied with six runs off Beverly East starter Rich Gilbride in the bottom of the third, the big blow a grand slam by Clifford.

"What a slugfest," said Beverly manager Lew Leathersich. "I've got to hand it to Danvers; they hit the ball, and our pitchers walked too many. If a team can come back like that, they deserve to win. Danvers beat us, plain and simple - and Clifford shut us down completely."

The Nats had tied it in the fourth, loading the bases with two down to set the stage for Rafael Tylus, who tripled, and used the long ball to go ahead for good in the fifth. John Long, who had earlier driven in two runs, blasted a three-run dinger that sailed over the centerfield fence. That was all for reliever Tom Wilbur. Kevin Hodgkins greeted Tim Leblanc with a solo shot. That was more than enough cushion for Clifford, who retired the side in order in the sixth. In four innings he scattered three singles and struck out seven.

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