Westfield celebrates one of three runs scored against Longmeadow in the top of the 14th inning Thursday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
LONGMEADOW – It was either the lengthiest victory for the Westfield High School baseball team, or the quickest, depending on the point-of-view.
Westfield completed a 14-inning game against host Longmeadow Thursday with a 6-3 victory. While it took several days to resume the suspended contest – the game was delayed a week earlier due to darkness – it took just a few minutes for the Bombers to finish off the Lancers in the lone inning played.
“The bus ride was longer than the game,” Westfield coach Rich Discenza said, jokingly.
Chris Riga had the game-winning hit, a little squibber that died in the infield grass and scored one run. The Bombers tacked on two more insurance runs on a Longmeadow fielding error.
“I was just trying to make something happen,” Riga said. “I’m just glad we got some runs quick.”
Westfield pitcher Brent Houle fires a pitch Thursday against Longmeadow in the resumption of a 14-inning game suspended due to darkness a week earlier. (Photo by Chris Putz)
The Lancers managed a lead-off hit in their home half of the 14th, but Westfield pitcher Brent Houle quickly struck out the next three batters to end the game.
“The kids knew what was at stake,” coach Discenza said. “They got down to business, and came out with (a victory).”
Westfield managed to avoid a letdown following a key come-from-behind win over Cathedral in a battle of, arguably, the region’s top two teams Tuesday, and more importantly maintain, quite possibly, the inside track on landing a spot in the new Super Eight tourney (featuring the state’s eight top teams).
“We need to win every game from here on out to get to the ‘Elite 8,’” Riga said. “We need to play every game like this.”
Westfield is scheduled to play its final three games in the next four days – at Amherst (May 16), vs. Southwick (May 17), and home against Agawam (May 19).
