Local 10-year-old all-stars watch as Lincoln scores six runs in the third inning en route to win

Big innings were the theme when the Lincoln Little League 10-year-old all-stars edged Portsmouth 7-5 Tuesday night in a state tournament game in Exeter.

Lincoln's six-run third inning was one better than Portsmouth's five-run first and Lincoln added an insurance run in the fifth to cap the scoring. The setback was Portsmouth's second in three tournament clashes and eliminated them from competition. Portsmouth, which won four straight game in capturing the District-Two title, finished with a postseason record of 5-2.

Quick start

Visiting Portsmouth jumped on Lincoln starter Alex Howard in its first at-bat and sent nine men to the plate. Mike Massed drew a leadoff walk and Matt Greenman singled him to second. One out later Anthony Serina singled to load the bases. Mike O'Connell then blooped a double down the right field line to score two runs.

Brendan Natal lined out to shortstop for the second out. Jason Burghouwt smacked a fly ball to center field that was dropped by the outfielder and two more runs scored. Kyle Mitchell's single plated Burghouwt before the final out was recorded.

Portsmouth held the advantage until Lincoln scored six in the bottom of the third on just one hit. Lincoln gladly accepted seven walks in the inning, five of which scored. Lincoln finished with just four hits in the game, three in the fifth inning when it scored its other run.

Massed and O'Connell each had two hits for Portsmouth and Natal had a double.

Game Two

Portsmouth and Cranston Western, teams facing elimination from the tournament, played a hard-fought game with Portsmouth scraping out a 5-4 decision.

Portsmouth was outhit 8-6 but made the most of its opportunities. Cranston Western stranded 10 men compared to just three by Portsmouth. Cranston left the bases loaded in the fourth inning when Portsmouth centerfielder Greenman raced back toward the fence and into left field and snared a long fly off the bat of Bob Henry.

After pulling to within a run, Cranston left runners on second and third in the fifth inning when Portsmouth pitcher Natal fanned the No. 2 hitter in the Cranston lineup. And with a runner on first and two outs in the sixth, Natal caught a pop up to end the game.

Portsmouth actually rallied from a three-run deficit to grab the lead. After Cranston plated three in the top of the second, Portsmouth struck with some two-out lightning. Burghouwt and Mitchell ripped back-to-back triples to plate the locals' first run.

After Cranston stranded runners at first and second in the third inning, Portsmouth rallied to take the lead. Massed and Greenman each reached on errors and scored on Serina's double. Serina moved to third on a wild pitch and scored the go-ahead run on Natal's single.

Ryan Ake, who reached on a bunt, moved to second on a fielder's choice and scored on the third of five Cranston errors overall. Tim Doherty had a double for Portsmouth.

Game One

Portsmouth and East Greenwich battled for eight innings before East Greenwich earned a 9-5 decision. Coleman Clark had a triple and single, Serina had a double and single and Burghouwt and Mitchell each stroked triples. Natal had a single and Doherty, Ake and Greenman each scored a run.