Westfield American pitcher Jay Scherpa winds up for a pitch against Agawam Friday in a Little League District 2 opening round tournament game. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – Westfield Little League Baseball slammed the competition in the opening round of District 2 tournament play Friday night, literally and figuratively.
Westfield American 10-11-Year-Old All-Stars 13, Agawam 2 (4 inn.)
Jacob Wagner launched home runs in each of his first two at-bats – the first two of his young career – to fuel Westfield American’s mercy-shortened victory.
Westfield American’s Patrick Flaherty reached base four times and scored three runs, Liam Poole reached base three times and scored one run, Sean Roselli reached base three times, Jay Scherpa scored three runs, and Colby LaPoint came off the bench to hit an RBI double.
Westfield American’s Jacob Wagner leaps toward home plate as a mob of teammates surround him after Wagner hit a first-inning home run against Agawam Friday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Scherpa (4 Ks) and Scott Hepburn (3 Ks) combined for the victory on the mound for Westfield American. Each pitcher allowed one run – both unearned.
“Our plan going into it was to win, keep each pitcher to 35 pitches, and to throw four pitchers to keep them available for the next game,” Westfield American coach Tom Flaherty said.
Westfield National 10-11-Year-Old All-Stars 12, Easthampton 2 (4 inn.)
Starting pitcher Josh Mayo struck out six batters in a mercy-shortened effort, and Anthony Schabowski belted a second-inning grand slam to power Westfield National on the road.
Ryder Pieczarka and Ethan Porter each went 2-for-2 for Westfield National, which belted out 10 hits.
“It was a really good way to start,” Westfield National coach Shane Collins said.
Westfield American 9-10-Year-Old All-Stars 13, Southampton 1 (5 inn.)
Nate Pudlo went 4-for-4 with a three-run homer and two doubles, drove in four runs total, and scored twice to lead the hitting attack. He also threw out two base runners – one each at second and third base – from behind the plate.
Westfield American starting pitcher Ted Dunn pitched three shutout innings, striking out five batters, and helped himself by knocking in three runs.
Andre Phaneuf came on to pitch two innings of relief. Phaneuf also had a nice outing at the plate. He went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.
Leadoff batter Zach Olsen had two walks and two runs scored. Eli Perez had a double, a walk, and scored twice.
SENIOR DIVISION
Westfield 6, Agawam 5
Westfield outlasted Agawam in a nail-biter.
Cody Garwacki, Bailey O’Shea, Tanner Haley, and Tanner Beebe combined for a solid pitching effort; Cam Sporbert provided outstanding defense behind the plate, making the game-winning put out at home plate on a passed ball; and, Bailey O’Shea had a stand-up double for Westfield.
JUNIOR DIVISION
Agawam 19, Westfield 6
Riley Caughlin had a solid effort on the mound for Westfield. Caughlin battled through three sweltering innings on the mound. He scattered just five hits and struck out six batters. Aaorn Muldrew struck out two batters in relief.
Westfield’s Michael Durkee crushed an RBI double, and Ethan Baush, Caughlin, Jaret Gillespie, and Brett Bonenfant contributed in the hits column.
In the top of the third, Gillespie started a defensive rally with a diving catch at short all the way into foul territory behind third for the first out of the inning. Bonenfant caught the ensuing fly out at first base and Caughlin fielded a ground ball and tossed to Bonenfant for the inning’s third out.
