Westfield’s Noah Parker, right, attempts to put the the tag on East Springfield’s Shawn Boston in the fourth inning of last night’s American Legion game in Westfield. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – It was a very short stay for Westfield Post 124 in the American Legion Baseball playoffs.
One day after forfeiting its postseason opener in the best-of-3 series against East Springfield due to lack of players, Post 124 was eliminated following a 2-0 loss at Bullens Field on Tuesday night.
East Springfield pitcher Thomas Weldon pitched a complete game, four-hitter. Weldon struck out seven batters, and walked four. His defense played superbly behind him, robbing Westfield of several hard-hit balls.
East Springfield set the tone early, scraping together two runs in the first inning off Westfield pitcher Nate Barnes. John Espinosa led off with a single and advanced on an outfield error. Sean Boston singled, and a fielder’s choice left baserunners on second and third. A double steal, including a swipe of home, made it 1-0. An infield error, soon thereafter, made it 2-0.
East Springfield’s defense was on display early in the bottom half of the first when third baseman Manny Alvarado snared Kyle Murphy’s missle. It continued.
In the second inning, Westfield loaded the bases. Evan Moorhouse walked. Barnes singled. The two baserunners pulled off a successful double steal. Noah Parker drew a one-out walk to set the table for Brent Booth. But Booth hit into a 6-4-3 double play.
The shortstop, Sean Boston, also quelled a Westfield threat in the sixth with a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning, and made a leaping grab on Jeremy Tanguay’s wicked liner seemingly headed for the outfield.
Westfield also had a golden opportunity to cut into the East Springfield lead in the fourth when Adam Mayhew reached on an infield single and Moorhouse walked. Two long fly balls and a strikeout ended the threat.
“It was a tough end to a tough season,” said Westfield coach Rob Atkocaitis. “It was a long season for these kids. They played a lot of games in a row. These kids got really tired and they needed some time off.”
“We played with a skeleton crew the last seven games,” Atkocaitis added. “It was a little disappointing but we will bounce back. Westfield has always got a lot of talent coming up.”
