The Westfield Americans slide past Southampton. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – So much for hospitality.
The Westfield Little League Baseball American 9-10-year-old All-Stars quickly “closed the door” on Southampton in Thursday night’s district tournament game at Paper Mill Field.
Westfield exploded for 15 runs in the third inning en route to a 19-2 mercy rule-shortened contest.
The game was close at the start as Westfield scored three runs in the first, and followed with one more in the second when Patrick Flaherty was hit by a pitch, took second and third on passed balls, and scored on a Mike Anciello double.
Then it was all Americans in the third.
Mike Anciello led the way for Westfield’s offense with an in-the-park grand slam, two doubles, and scored three runs. He also reached on an error. Nick Montanaro added his own two-run home run, scoring Colby Nadeau. Nathan Pellegrini (3-for-3) and Jesse Paroline (2-for-2) both scored twice.
Ryan LaPoint was solid on the mound for the Americans, pitching 3 1-3 innings, striking out three batters, and allowing two runs.
Mason Pereira closed out the game for the home team.
The Westfield Americans next host Longmeadow Sunday at noon at Cross Street Field.
Westfield Nationals Shae Byrnes, right, is congratulated by Jared Noel (4) after scoring on a bases-loaded single. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Nationals clobber Gateway
Westfield National 28, Gateway 1
WESTFIELD – The Nationals were also successful in driving away the competition.
Three hurlers pitched in to silence the opposition, while their team’s bats rang loud enough.
Cody Collins, Brady Collins, and Jake Jachym combined to pitch a one-hitter for Westfield Thursday. The Nationals collected 19 hits as a team.
In other tournament action, the Westfield Juniors fell to Southampton 18-3 in 4 1-2 innings … Gateway’s Seniors defeated Agawam, 9-1.
