Westfield third baseman Madison Brockney applies the tag. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD –The Westfield Little League Softball Senior All-Stars’ journey in the eastern regionals has come to an end.
Westfield lost its final game in pool play to previously winless Providence (RI) 9-1 today at Rockwood Field in Worcester, finishing with a tournament record of 1-3. It was a bit of a downer for the Whip City’s softball Little Leaguers, especially after losing a one-hitter Sunday night and defeating semifinal-bound Waterford (Conn.) yesterday to build momentum.
“It was really fun,” said Westfield shortstop Vicky Camp. “It kind of sucks that we didn’t win as many (games) as we wanted. It was fun playing hide-and-go-seek with the other teams in the hotel.”
Camp sought out every ball hit her way through the tournament, playing error-free ball at the shortstop position throughout the entire regional run. It wasn’t until late in yesterday’s game that the Westfield player struggled with a slick ball as a Providence player beat out her throw.
Camp turned a double play against Providence, catching a pop-up and doubling up the runner at first base in the fourth. She also gunned down a runner at the plate for an out in the sixth inning.
Westfield’s overall defense faltered early against Providence.
In the first inning, Westfield committed three consecutive infield errors, leading to three Providence runs. They recaptured one run in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases on singles from Madison Brockney, Kaitlyn Puza, and an Alyssa Clement walk. Pitcher Kelsi Gunarathne hit Paige Templeton with a ball to walk home a run.
Gunarathne and Josephine Arlan collected RBI singles in the third.
Providence put the game out of reach in the sixth with run-scoring hits from Khazia De Los Santos and Elliannah Jimenez, a sac-RBI from Bianca Rosario, and Kia Antoine’s RBI triple.
Camp and Carolyn Dufraine (2-for-4) managed the only other hits for Westfield.
“It has been a fun experience,” Westfield manager Mark Reardon said. “The people in Worcester are really great. We would have liked to win to help District 4 out.”
A win by Westfield would have sent the D4 hosts, Jesse Burkett, of Worcester to the semifinals. Instead, they too had to pack up and leave.
“We played a game (against Maine) cut short by rain, one of the best game’s of the tournament (versus Jesse Burkett), and beat Connecticut who’s playing tomorrow (in the semis).”
Jen Moller was the tough-luck loser Sunday night. Despite pitching a one-hitter against Jesse Burkett, Moller lost 1-0 as her team’s offense put up a goose egg.
Maine was the only team to complete an unbeaten run in pool play, finishing 4-0.
