Sports

Westfield American and Longmeadow face off in Little League action

WESTFIELD – Heading into the top of the sixth inning, Westfield American and Longmeadow were in a competitive contest on Ralph E. Sanville Memorial Field.

Westfield American had the 6-3 lead over Longmeadow until the boys from the Whip City exploded for quite the rally. Westfield American produced eight runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning to give them the 14-3 lead. Westfield American held onto the cushion and took a 14-3 victory over Longmeadow in a Little League District 2 matchup in the 12-year-old division.

“We regrouped and had big sixth inning to really put the game out of reach,” said Manager Mike Raposo.

Noah Gardner looking to connect on a pitch at Ralph E. Sanville Memorial Field.

Noah Gardner looking to connect on a pitch at Ralph E. Sanville Memorial Field. (Photo by Kellie Adam)

Kareem Zaghloul led off the sixth inning with a single to center field. The speedy Dominic Rinaldi ran for Zaghloul and immediately took third base off of two wild pitches. Nick Montanaro drew a walk and Bobby DellaPenna pitch ran for Montanaro. A wild pitch followed by an overthrow to second base caused both Rinaldi and DellaPenna to score and increase the lead to 8-3.

Alex LaCourse then stepped up to the plate and connected on a long drive right over the center field fence to give Westfield American a 10-3 advantage.

Even with the bases cleared, Dan Provost recharged the offense with a stand-up double to left field. Colby Nadeau’s grounder to third base went by the fielder and allowed Provost to cross home plate.

With just one out in the inning, Troy Hevey hit a double which advanced Nadeau to third. After Aidan King grounded out, Zaghloul reached first base off an error as Hevey scored. DellaPenna came back up in the batter’s box and hit an infield single that put Zaghloul across and finished off the eight-run outburst at a 14-3 lead for Westfield American.

“It was good how we put the offense together,” said LaCourse. “We’ve been working on clutch situations.”

LaCourse’s power at the plate proved to be clutch as he hit not one, but two homeruns.

“It was great to see because he’s been working so hard at practice,” said Raposo. “I thought it really gave us a lift.”

Alex LaCourse had a big night offensively as he put two balls over the fence.

Alex LaCourse had a big night offensively as he put two balls over the fence. (Photo by Kellie Adam)

Besides the two home runs, LaCourse finished the game going 3-for-3 with three RBI’s. Provost (double, triple, RBI) also had a solid game offensively.

Provost started on the mound but only went one pitch into the second inning as he had already thrown 32 pitches. He finished with no earned runs, on one hit, two walks, and three strikeouts. Aidan King came in relief for Provost as he went five innings strong with five strikeouts, four hits, on one run.

Jacob Hoffman had the lone RBI for Longmeadow as Robert Ravosa, Ryan Anderson, and Aiden Deblasio all produced singles.

Connor Rintoul went four innings for Longmeadow on a tough 87 pitches. Rintoul gave up just one earned run on five hits. Liam Hunt and Connor Plankey pitched the final two innings.

“The boys did their best, Westfield played a really good game,” said  Longmeadow Assistant coach Rob Ravosa. “We just had tough inning where Westfield scored a lot.”

The win for Westfield improves them to 3-0 in league play.

“We still have a long way to go,” said Raposo. “We’re just taking it game by game and hoping to be competitive every game.”

To Top