Westfield North’s 12-Year-Old All-Star players Luke Bacopoulous (4), Nick Barber (12), Carter Cousins (10), Mike Hall (11), and Spencer Cloutier (9) congratulate pitcher Jimmy Hagan (3), after he recorded the final strikeout to win the District II championship Sunday. (Submitted photo)
BELCHERTOWN – One local Little League baseball team’s victory guaranteed that the entire Whip City will be seeing all stars.
The Westfield North 12-Year-Old All Stars defeated host Belchertown 11-2 Sunday at Mini-Fenway Park to take the District 2 title, ensuring the league’s two halves a whole bunch of fun.
On Saturday, Westfield South’s 11-Year-Old All-Stars punched their ticket to the sectionals.
Spencer Cloutier and Jimmy Hagan combined for a sterling outing on the mound for the Westfield North 12’s. The two pitchers allowed just two runs and struck out a total of 12 batters.
Westfield maintained a very balanced attack – evidenced in their unbeaten 6-0 district tournament run.
The Westfield Little League North 12-Year-Old All-Stars display their District II championship banner Sunday after capturing the title with a victory at Belchertown’s Mini-Fenway. From left to right, (top) manager Mike Nihill, coach Jim Hagan, Nick Barber, Mike Hall, Cam Davignon, Joe Raco, and Spencer Cloutier; (bottom) Elliott Avery, Cade Bradley, Mike Nihill, Carter Cousins, Ryan Rix, Jimmy Hagan, Luke Bacopoulous, Matt Judd, and coach Denis Cloutier. (Submitted photo)
Offensively, Carter Cousins (2 hits, 2 runs), Spencer Cloutier (3 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Mike Nihill (2 hits, including a booming triple off the Green Monster in straight-away center field, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Nick Barber (3 hits, 2 runs, RBI), Ryan Rix (2 hits, run, 2 RBIs), and Mike Hall (2 hits, run, RBI) provided the bulk of the attack.
Westfield jumped on top of Belchertown’s ace from the outset, scoring the game’s first nine runs. Hagan led off the first inning with a base hit, stole second base, and scored on Cloutier’s hit to center field. The Whip City never looked back.
The defense was outstanding as well.
“It’s been a whole team effort,” Westfield North 12-Year-Old All-Stars assistant coach Jim Hagan said. “We had outstanding pitching, strong defense, clutch hitting, and a collective team effort. Everyone contributed.”
Westfield North will next take on host Pittsfield Wednesday in sectional pool play, which includes other teams such as Leominster, and Holden.
