WESTFIELD – The bottom of the fifth inning was the perfect situation for Westfield American. Down 4-3 to Amherst, Jeremy McCormick started off the rally with a single to center field.
Troy Hevey followed up McCormick’s single with a double in which McCormick’s pinch runner, Dominic Rinaldi, made his way to third base.
Runners on second and third and just one out, put Aidan King in a great spot. King connected on a double to score both Rinaldi and Hevey. The RBI double ended up being the key difference as Westfield American pushed past Amherst 5-4 in the 12-year-old Little League divisional game at Ralph E. Sanville Memorial Field on Saturday morning.
Troy Hevey got the start on the mound for Westfield American. (Photo by Bill Deren)
“That’s the game-winning hit,” said Westfield American Manager Mike Raposo. “That was huge.”
Hevey had a good day at the plate as he went 2-for-3 including a two-run homerun in the bottom of the third inning that put the Amherst lead at 4-2. Jeremy McCormick also contributed with two singles.
Amherst was able to jump out to a 4-0 lead and put Westfield American in an early hole. Alex Irizarry delivered a two-run homer in the top of the first inning to give Amherst the 2-0 advantage.
In the top of the third inning, Amherst was then able to tack on two more runs. Third basemen Jeremy Torres had a two-run single that scored teammates Irizarry and Liam Coughlin.
After Hevey pitched 2.2 innings to start the game, Dan Provost came in relief for Westfield American. Provost was able to pitch the last 3.1 innings and only allowed one run on one hit and four strikeouts. His efforts helped Westfield American stay in the contest.
“I can’t say enough about Provost pitching today, he came in with guys on base,” said Raposo. “He shut them down the rest of the way, he did an awesome job.”
Provost had the opportunity overcome defeat as he was the losing pitcher in the tough walk-off loss to Easthampton on Thursday. Provost didn’t forget about that loss.
Aidan King makes the stretch at first base to get the out. (Photo by Bill Deren)
“I was thinking about that (Easthampton game) during the last inning,” said Provost. “I came back and we got the win and I’m proud of that.”
Maxwell Edwards went three innings on the mound for Amherst as he gave up two runs on three hits. Liam Coughlin pitched the last two innings.
Westfield American is now 4-1 with the victory and is tied in the standings with Amherst. The win showed positive signs for Westfield American.
“It feels great to bounce back especially from a 4-0 deficit,” said Raposo. “The kids hung in there.”
Westfield National 4, Westfield American 3
Westfield National was able to squeak by their rivals, Westfield American 4-3.
National was led by their strong pitching staff. Joshua Wagner and Jacob Mello combined impressive performances on the mound.
Jacob Mello attempts to move out the way from pitch. (Photo by Kellie Adam)
“We had great pitching by them,” said National Manager Rusty Grant. “Our pitching was dominant.”
Ethan Grant and Paul Lawry had two hits each and George Kimball made some nice plays defensively for National.
National moves to 3-0 on the season and will face Belchertown on Tuesday.
Easthampton 14, Westfield 13
The Westfield 7-9 All-Stars were just edged by Easthampton 14-13. Westfield had a great opportunity in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie up the contest.
With runners on second and third and two outs, Westfield hit a grounder to shortstop which sent the Westfield runner to home plate but the Easthampton catcher was able to apply the tag for the third out and securing the victory.
Joe Mafia had a solid game for the Westfield All-Stars as he went 3 2/3 innings on the mound and also went 3-for-4 at the plate. Tim Moran led the offense going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI’s.
