Carter Cousins (10) scored the first run of the game for Westfield, crossing the dish on an error from Nashua shortstop Hunter Routhier. Westfield would score seven times in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth inning to win via a mercy rule. (Photo by Robby Veronesi)
WESTFIELD – As the rain fell at Bullens Field Friday night at the conclusion of their game, Westfield’s drought was over for the time being.
The hosts of the 2015 New England Babe Ruth Regional Tournament had not played in a game since the Western Massachusetts State Championship was cancelled due to off-the-field issues and Westfield had been frustrated on the field by a slew of close losses and tight ballgames to rival Pittsfield to open the summer. The team looked for a complete performance to start their tournament run and Friday night presented the right opportunity.
After Spencer Cloutier and Zack Finkelstein dueled to a scoreless draw through the first three innings, Westfield’s offense exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning and three runs in the fifth inning to change the game from a scoreless draw to a five-inning, mercy-rule enforced shutout, defeating the New Hampshire state champions from Nashua, 10-0.
“This win felt like coming out of a drought,” said Head Coach Mike Nihill. “The games that we did lose were very close, so we never felt like we weren’t in it, but they were very tight and frustrating. The boys not being able to play a good number of games was very concerning, so we weren’t sure where we were at in terms of chemistry, but it kicked in very nicely tonight. (Nashua) had that one bad inning, but they played a great game.”
For the second year in a row, the Westfield 14-year-old All-Stars defeated the Granite State’s representative in the tournament opener on their home field, taking advantage of a combination of efficient small ball, effective line drives and six Nashua errors to quickly turn the momentum towards the Whip City in the inning in which Westfield sent 13 batters to the plate.
Carter Cousins led the fourth inning off with a single, the second straight frame in which Westfield placed the lead-off runner on base. Sam Parker laid down a late bunt and beat the ensuing throw to place two men on and zero outs, changing the perception of the game for the first time. Nashua’s shortstop booted Cam Davignon’s sharp hit, allowing Cousins to score, and Cloutier lined a shot to right-center field to score Parker and begin the seven-run frame.
After Cam Parent drove in Davignon on a groundout and Mike Nihill struck out, Westfield continued its offensive onslaught. Joe Raco and Baley Collier crushed RBI doubles to right field, with Collier driving in a pair of runs to help double their lead. Two straight errors by the shortstop drove in Collier and the Westfield offense was temporarily stopped.
One inning later, Westfield ended the game by scoring the necessary three runs to enforce the 10-run mercy rule. Cloutier doubled to record his second hit of the game and would later score on a throwing error by the catcher in an attempt to catch Colton Baker stealing second base. Three batters later, with no outs and the bases loaded, Garrett Collis hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Baker, but the throw to first base was fumbled by the first baseman, scoring Nihill and ending the game.
“(Finkelstein) threw a very fast and very consistent first strike the first time through the lineup.” said Nihill. “He wasn’t throwing offspeed or a curveball, so the second time through the lineup, he started trying to get a little more fancy and once he got down on his count, that’s when the batters started swinging more freely. They got a little more confident with their swings. It’s such a difference because our hitters weren’t used to that speed all month and then to get used to that speed the second time around is huge. That’s a heck of an adjustment. That was a pleasant surprise to see them catch him the second time around.
“Coach (Dennis) Cloutier is playing small ball,” said Nihill. “He’s challenging the defense to throw the ball around. It’s tough to steal on a fast pitcher and a catcher with a great arm. They had to get a good jump off a great pitcher. I give the kids a lot of credit. They were very aggressive and very attentive to the third base coach. I know think anyone missed a sign all night.”
On the defensive side, Cloutier pitched a five-inning shutout, backed by a sound defensive effort. No. 9 scattered three hits and struck out five Nashua batters, bouncing back from throwing 38 pitches in the first two innings. Cloutier setteld down, throwing nine pitches in the third and 16 in the fourth inning, and the defense shook off a pair of early-inning threats from Nashua, stranding five runners on base during the first two innings.
With the bases loaded and one out in the first inning, Parker threw the lead runner out at home and Mike Lurgio snagged a routine fly ball in right field to end the threat. Nashua placed two more runners on base in the second inning, but Cloutier struck out the bottom two men in the lineup and forced a groundball to second baseman Cousins to retire the side.
“For some reason, he’s had a tough time starting the games and has had to fight a lot harder,” said Nihill. “I give him a lot of credit for working through it and keeping his head up. To throw 19 pitches in two innings, have all those baserunners and come off the mound with a smile on his face is an encouraging sign because most kids that age sense trouble. It’s good to see that air of confidence and he knew he was right back on it. What a great fighter he is and his bat is coming to life, too. That can be contagious on both sides.”
Despite not having a state champion represented in the field, Massachusetts went 3-0 during the first day of action at Bullens Field and claimed all but one of the spots in the winner’s bracket. Two of the three teams will square off at 4:30 p.m. during the third game of Saturday’s quadruple-header, when Westfield will host East Marblehead, who defeated East Lyme (CT), 4-2, Friday afternoon. Marblehead received a late invitation Thursday night after Eastern Massachusetts champion Quincy had to withdraw the tournament.
