EASTHAMPTON- Westfield American and Easthampton found themselves in a tight contest at the bottom of the sixth inning. As Westfield American was up 9-7, Easthampton had the home-field advantage of getting the last at-bats.
Will Robbins led off the inning with a double off the center field fence. Nick Lloyd then popped up to right field for the first out. After Ryan O’Leary drew a walk and Westfield American shortstop Kareem Zaghloul got the runner out at third base from a fielder’s choice, there were two outs with runners on first and second. Nick Jolicoeur put even more pressure on Westfield American as he connected on a dribbler that fell into right field to load the bases.
Alex LaCourse rounds third and heads to home plate to tack on another run for Westfield American. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
The opportunity couldn’t have been any better for Justin Colpack. Within the split second of the sound of the ball connecting with the bat, the ball soared right over the center field fence and gave Easthampton the 11-9 walk-off victory over Westfield American in the 12-year-old Little League divisional game at Sheehan Field.
It was a tough way for Westfield American to lose but Manager Mike Raposo praised Colpack for being clutch in that situation.
“All you want to do in that situation is put the ball in play,” said Raposo. “He did a great job of not only putting it in play but hitting it out of the park.”
Westfield American was able to have that lead in the bottom of the sixth inning because of the impressive comeback that they were able to produce.
In the top of the fifth inning, Westfield American was able to go on a six-run rally to take the 9-7 lead. With the bases loaded and no outs, Dan Provost walked to score Aidan King and put the score at 7-4. Ryan LaPoint then followed up with a single to cut the deficit to two runs.
Bobby DellaPenna then hit a grounder that scored LaCourse from third base. A wild throw to home plate then allowed Provost to come around and tie the ball game up.
A walk and two more wild pitches then resulted in Westfield American taking the 9-7 advantage.
“The kids in hung in there, had some tough at-bats and ended up putting the ball in play and forcing the action,” said Raposo.
LaPoint, LaCourse, and Colby Nadeau all had two hits each for Westfield American. Troy Hevey was the starting pitcher for Westfield American, going four innings before Dan Provost took the mound for the final two innings.
Bobby DellaPenna waits on third base for the next pitch. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Even though the game didn’t end the best way possible for Westfield American, it was an extremely competitive game that was surely one to watch.
“It was a good Little Leauge game,” said Raposo. “Neither team really took control of the game at any point, it was just back and forth, a lot of fun to coach in a game like that.”
