WESTFIELD – The first round of bragging rights goes to … the Americans.
Westfield American scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning and held off the Nationals for a 6-5 win in a Little League Baseball 11-12-Year-Old All-Stars district tournament game Monday night at Papermill Field.
The Americans (blue jerseys) and Nationals (red) congratulate one another during a postgame handshake following a Westfield Little League Baseball 11-12-Year-Old All-Stars district tournament game Monday night at Papermill Field. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Westfield American opened up the game with a 3-0 first-inning lead, thanks to key hits from Jake Labombard, Brennan Jarvis (double), and Joey Delgado.
Nathan Goodwin homered in the third inning to pull the Nationals within two.
The Americans pushed two more runs across in the fourth inning to take a 5-1 lead. The big hits in the inning featured a Delgado double, and Chris Gage base hit.
Westfield Little League Baseball 10-11-Year-Old American All-Stars first baseman Dan Provost stretches to record an out on a close play at first base. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Westfield National stormed back with four runs, batting around in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game 5-all. The Nationals drew a pair of walks to begin the inning, and received clutch singles from Clay Bradley, Mason Barnachez, and Tyler Cousineau.
Westfield American reclaimed one of those runs, providing the difference in the end. American pitcher David Tirrell earned the victory by closing out the game.
In other games Monday, Westfield American shut out Westfield National in a 10-11-Year-Old All-Star tournament game at Cross Street Field. The Americans raced out of the gate and never looked back.
