Westfield’s Scott Hepburn (21) tries to get the pickoff with pitcher Josh Mayo during a Babe Ruth Baseball 13-Year-Old New England Regional Saturday at Bullens Field. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
WESTFIELD – The third time was not the charm.
Greater Portland (Maine) exploded for six runs over the first two innings and held off Westfield 6-3 in the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-Year-Old New England Regionals semifinals Saturday at Bullens Field.
The game, which pitted a tournament unbeaten (Portland) and a team that staved off elimination for two straight games (Westfield), was up for grabs early.
Westfield came out with a purpose. With two outs, Josh Sturmer, Jacob Wagner, and Josh Mayo landed consecutive singles. With the bases loaded, Liam Poole and Scott Hepburn drew back-to-back walks. A run-scoring error made it 3-0.
Greater Portland’s response was loud.
Ben Seguin led off the bottom of the first inning, and advanced on a wild pitch. Bob Wing was hit on a one-out pitch. Richard Gilboy put Portland on the board with a double to right center field. A wild pitch made it 3-2. Johnny Poole walked and stole second base. Aiden Lee followed with a two-run single to left center field that gave Portland the lead, 4-3.
Portland padded its lead in the second, scoring on Brady Coyne’s RBI single and on Wing’s ground out.
Westfield threatened in the bottom half of the inning, reaching on two straight errors. Portland’s defense turned a double play though to end the threat.
Westfield struggled to get anything else going against Portland starting pitcher Coyne. The host team put two base runners on in the seventh inning against reliever Ryan Kelly but Kelly had a ground out and strikeout against the Whip City’s No. 1-2 batters to end the game.
Westfield pitcher Cam Lisowski provided scoreless relief.
LEGION SPLITS: Westfield Post 124’s Junior squad nearly enjoyed a perfect weekend, going 1-1 in the opening round of American Legion Baseball state tournament at Community Field in North Attleborough.
Westfield opened the tourney with a solid 5-3 win over Somerset on Saturday.
Josh Lis pitched a complete game, striking out seven for Westfield. Post 124’s Jake LaBombard (double, single, RBI), Jack Lamirande (2 hits, RBI), Tanner Koziol (2 hits), Paul Shibley (double, RBI), Brennan Jarvis (hit, RBI), Brian Strange (hit), and Aidan Burke (hit) led the offense.
Late Sunday night, Westfield was on the verge of opening the tournament 2-0, leading Methuen 4-1 in the sixth inning. The opposition rallied though in a big way, scoring six unanswered runs to defeat Post 124, 7-4.
Burke and Lamirande led Westfield with two hits apiece. Shibley, Strange, Lis, and LaBombard each had one. Colby Gazda pitched well for Post 124, and David Tirrell provided solid relief.
Westfield will attempt to bounce back Monday night in North Attleborough at 5.
