WESTFIELD – It was a solid weekend for Westfield Babe Ruth All-Star baseball all across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the 13, 14 and 15 year old squads picking up at least one win in Westfield, Leominster and North Adams, respectively.
While the 13s steamrolled Northbridge convincingly 17-0 in their first contest of the weekend, there were questions on the minds of even the most strident supporters of the team as to whether they would be able to achieve a similar performance against the All-Stars of Worcester’s East Side Sunday.
A double digit showcase it was not, but the home squad was able to grab a 6-1 win against the East Siders Sunday, setting in stone the number seed for the tournaments semi-finals at Bullens.
Westfield starter Mitch Longley was dominant in the games first two innings, holding the visitors without a run. Westfield’s John Daly would assume pitching duties in the third, going four innings in which he gave up three hits and a run, while striking out two Worcester batters.
Westfield was able to hang six runs on Worcester’s pitching staff, thanks to big days at the plate from Longley, Aiden Dunn and Jack Yvon. Longley stole two bases and scored on a passed ball.
Worcester needn’t fret, however, as the East Siders will get another crack at Westfield on Tuesday as the fourth seed in the tournament semi’s, facing the home squad at 7:00 under the Bullens Field lights.
“We got exactly what we wanted tonight,” Westfield Manager John Bonnini said. “The boys played errorless ball and, if we keep playing good ball, I like our chances (Tuesday).”
