WESTFIELD – Westfield American’s 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars
‘ matchup with No. 3 Agawam Monday proved to be just as tight as the July 3 matchup which saw American squeak out a 7-5 victory.
Ten days later and the same intensity came to Cross Street in the winner’s bracket semifinal. Westfield used a pair of comebacks and sound pitching from David Tirell to defeat their southern neighbors for the second time and advance to the district championship.
“Pool play really prepared us for this game in that we played three or four really close games,” said Head Coach Mike Raposo. “At this point in the year, all the teams that are still playing are really good. We know we have to take it one game at a time (and) one pitch at a time to keep advancing. We definitely need to tighten up a few things on defense first and foremost, but we want to make sure that we’re fresh heading into that game on Wednesday.”
Agawam struck first in the their initial at-bats with a pair of runs to jump ahead after half an inning and the pitching of Laine Page held the potent Westfield offense for the two innings, but the hosts struck with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third inning.
No. 9 batter Jason Rokosz drew one of seven walks to lead off the frame and Jake LaBombard broke up the no-hitter with a double to put a pair of runners in scoring position. With one out, Tirell hit an infield single to the shortstop, driving in Rokosz, and advanced to second base on a crucial throwing error to plate LaBombard and tie the game.
“Before the game, we talked about taking pitches until we have a strike on us,” said Raposo. “That’s how you knock a guy out of the game. Taking a pitch was certainly part of it.”
Agawam fought back two innings later to score the go-ahead run on a triple and a wild pitch, but Westfield responded one more time with another two-run frame in the bottom of the fifth inning. As has been a theme all summer, the timely extra base hits fueled Westfield’s offense. Tirell led off the inning by smoking his fourth double in consecutive games and scored one batter later on Joey Dekarski’s RBI triple. Agawam’s defense helped Westfield take the lead, as Joey Delgado’s shot to first base was booted by the first baseman, allowing Dekarski to score.
Tirell, who earned the win on the mound the first time Agawam and American faced each other, pitched 5 and 1/3 innings and struck out 10 Agawam batters after the tough first inning. LaBombard came in relief in the sixth inning and shut down the late rally with the go-ahead run on second base.
“David has been one of the most consistently good pitchers during his career in little league,” said Raposo. “He hass turned in two really good performances against Agawam.”
No. 1 Westfield American will look to finish its undefeated summer in the district Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at Cross Street, where they will face either No. 3 Agawam for a third time or No. 2 Belchertown, who defeated Westfield National, 10-5, at Mini Fenway Park Monday evening.
