The Westfield Little League Softball Senior All-Stars receive their state championship banner after winning the title Saturday against Peabody-West, 9-3. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WORCESTER – The Westfield Little League Softball Senior All-Stars are champions again.
The Westfield Seniors won the state title for the second straight year, securing a regionals berth with a 9-3 win over Peabody-West Saturday night at Rockwood Field in Worcester.
Westfield broke open the game with a 6-run fifth inning to take a 9-2 lead, and command. Starting pitcher Jen Moller and reliever Taylor St. Jacques combined to shut down Peabody-West.
“We’re just a great team that’s a ‘team,’” Westfield manager Mark Reardon said of his repeat champs. “When somebody’s down, everyone else picks them up. This team is just that special.”
The Westfield Seniors advance to the eastern regionals, which will be held later this month.
“I can’t wait to spend another week in that hotel,” said Westfield LL Seniors catcher Kaitlyn Puza, who is making the return trip to Worcester. Puza was the team’s starting catcher a year ago. “We’re going to have to work hard, and strategically plan out how we’re going to pitch.”
On Saturday, Peabody jumped on Westfield’s pitching staff early. The first two batters reached on a hit by pitch and walk. The first two runs scored courtesy of a groundout and wild pitch for a 2-0 lead. But Whip City hurlers Jen Moller and Taylor St. Jacques silenced the opposition for much of the remainder.
Westfield bounced back with one run of their own in the third inning, and two runs in the fourth with consecutive RBI singles from Alyssa Clement and Puza.
Then, in the top of the fifth, Westfield’s bats exploded.
Vicky Camp led off the inning with a single before sliding to second base on an outfield error. Carolyn Dufraine walked, and Karly Mastello singled to load the bases. Paige Templeton followed with a run-scoring single, Moller ripped a two-run double through the right side of the infield, and Brittany Kowalski hit an RBI single. A subsequent outfield error resulted in yet another run. With two outs, Puza hit an RBI double for a 9-2 lead.
Peabody squeezed out one run with two outs in the sixth, but it was all they could muster. And the Westfield Seniors were crowned champs again.
“Last year was so much fun,” Puza said. “Now we have another chance to do it all over again. If we want to finish with a bang, we’re going to have to work hard.”
The team’s second baseman Clement agreed.
“Our team is so good,” Clement said. “Everyone listens so well. We help each other. We’re like a family. I can’t wait (for regionals to begin). I feel certain that the outcome only being good (for us).”
Clement was instrumental in the team’s best-of-3 series opener Saturday morning, clubbing five hits and 10 RBIs to help Westfield to victory, 19-6.
The Westfield News will continue to cover the Little League Softball Seniors on their quest for a regional title. Look for schedules and other items of interest surrounding the state champs in the days leading up to their departure for the eastern regionals.
