Westfield pitcher Spencer Cloutier delivers in the first inning of last night’s Western Massachusetts 13-Year-Old Babe Ruth state tournament game under the lights of Bullens Field. (Photo by Frederick Gore/www.thewestfieldnews.smugmug.com)
WESTFIELD – Bullens Field was not particularly kind to Babe Ruth baseball teams from Worcester Country yesterday, as Westfield’s 13-year-olds walloped visiting Worcester North End by a final of 12-0, setting up a showdown tonight with Pittsfield, who thumped Holden 14-2 in the first contest of the Babe Ruth 13-year-old state tournament.
Westfield rode the coattails of pitcher Spencer Cloutier, who was a buzz saw with seven strikeouts and finished the night one fifth inning bloop single away from a no-hitter.
Cloutier received plenty of offensive support from second baseman Jim Hagan, who registered several hits and a walk, and rightfielder Joe Raco, who contributed two hits and drove in two runs from the cleanup spot.
Shortstop Carter Cousins smacked two singles of his own, and Ryan Paro came in off the bench to tag the first pitch he faced into the outfield for a double that drove in two runs and ended Worcester’s night by mercy rule.
After the game, Westfield skipper Mike Nihill was ecstactic over every aspect of his team’s win.
“Cloutier was incredible,” said Nihill, who added that his starter was feeling ill yesterday morning but overcame it by the afternoon to give an ‘incredible performance.’
Nihill added that, while his team was able to tattoo a great many Worcester pitches onto the field – where the visitors committed five errors – intelligent base running was one of the big keys to the win.
“We took advantage of some tough defense – they had a lot of balks, so that cost them and put our guys at an advantage, but our base running was extremely aggressive,” said Nihill. “We were very confident, always looking for that next base, so that got us a lot of easy runs.”
“We’re feeling good, but we watched Pittsfield go earlier today, and they’re a very formidable opponent,” he said. “The middle of that lineup can really go. Depending on which pitcher they’ve got going, I think we’re going to get a good matchup.”
That matchup will occur tonight at 8 p.m. at Bullens Field, with Holden and Worcester North End playing at 5 p.m.
