As the boys of summer prepare to begin play, it’s worth mentioning the fun and competitive warm up that is Dorchester Babe Ruth Spring League neighborhood baseball, which ended last week.

On Tuesday, the championship game in Garvey Park featured the veteran heavy BC Eagles and the versatile Northeastern Huskies battling for top honors, with the Huskies pulling out ta 3-2 win in what can only be described as a pitcher’s duel.

BC’s veteran hurler Michael Hampton faced the best one-two-three rotation in the league for the Huskies, including Marco Sullivan, Logan Mahoney, and closer Ryan Otto. It was a battle through three innings, with Hampton and Sullivan making quick work of the opposing line-ups and leaving the tops of the orders hitless. They allowed only a few walks before closing out their frames.

Northeastern jumped out first with a single from Sullivan, who was aggressive on the base paths and ultimately scored on a delayed steal of home plate. BC settled in defensively after that, catching Logan Mahoney in a rundown and only allowing Matty O’Loughlin across for the second run of the inning.

In the top of the fourth, BC’s Michael Lynch blasted a lead-off triple that brought needed momentum, only to have Mahoney shut it down by striking out the next two batters and forcing a ground out.

BC’s bats came alive in the fifth, plating Alejandro Marrero and Billy McLaughlin to tie the game, 2-2. Husky Ryan Otto came on to pitch in the sixth inning to close out the game and was unhittable for the BC bats. Hampton, meanwhile, remained strong on the mound through his seven allotted innings as well. One more frame was all that was needed though, as Ryan Otto’s well-placed hit and opportunistic running put Northeastern up, 3-2.

In the final inning, with Otto on the mound and strong defensive play by Michael Quinlan and Marco Sullivan, Northeastern held on to take the Dorchester Babe Ruth Spring Championship.

Receiving the 2023 Coaches Awards were Michael Quinlan and Billy McLaughlin. Despite being two of the youngest players in the league, they were recognized as future leaders. Each player proved to be always prepared, never overmatched, and achieved well beyond what was expected of them, coaches said.