WESTFIELD – Although Westfield collected ten hits in the contest, the hits don’t nearly indicate the score. Having bases loaded over 10 times in the first inning and drawing fourteen walks in the first three innings, Westfield put the mercy rule on Blackstone Valley with a 20-5 victory in five innings in a 14-Year-Old Division game of the Babe Ruth Western Massachusetts State Tournament.
“I thought the kids were disciplined well at the plate,” said head coach Mike Tirrell. “They were patient and mixed in a few good solid hits too.”
Saying it was an ugly game is an understatement, as there were 19 walks, 13 wild pitches, and three hit batters between the two teams.
A significant portion of the damage done by Westfield came in the bottom of the first inning when they scored 14 runs.
Only producing six hits in that inning, Westfield was able to showcase the patience that Tirrell was talking about. Five walks, three passed balls, and three batter’s hit by a pitch allowed Westfield to earn the comfortable lead they needed.
Brennan Jarvis puts together good contact at the plate. (Photo courtesy of Bill Deren)
Headlining the way offensively for the Whip City was Paul Shibley, Adam Tremblay, and Niko Kapsanis, all having two hits each.
“Great to see guys get up and hit the ball,” said Tirrell. “This is a good hitting team.”
Entering the top of the second inning with a 14-4 cushion, Kipsanis came in for relief on the mound and went 3 2/3 innings, giving up one un-earned run and just two hits.
“I just tried to stay calm and not over power the pitch and just throw strikes,” said Kipsanis.
After a tough 5-1 loss to Pittsfield on Saturday, Sunday’s bounce-back victory felt that much sweeter.
“It probably gives us a lot of confidence going up against them (Pittsfield) again because we really want revenge,” said Kapsanis. “We really want to beat them.”
With a pool play record of 1-1, Westfield will now play in the playoff round of the tournament on Tuesday against either Blackstone Valley or Pittsfield. The time of that game hasn’t been decided yet.
