Welcome to the big time, Westfield!
Tomorrow evening at Szot Park, the Western Massachusetts Division I baseball champion Westfield Bombers (19-4) will take on Central Mass champ, Algonquin, for the right to play for the state title. The nine-inning semifinal game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Algonquin began as a bit of underdog, having lost five straight at one point early in the regular season and entering the sectional tournament with a paltry 11-9 record. But the Central Mass team, who now own five sectional titles, went on a postseason run, upsetting No. 2 Burncoat (17-4) and top-seeded St. John’s, of Shrewsbury (22-3) in the Central Mass final, 2-1.
“They beat the best, the ESPN number one rated team in the entire state of Massachusetts,” Westfield coach Rich Discenza said. “(Algonquin’s) top two guys are very quick. Their next two guys hit line drives, some well-hit balls, and after that, they’re all like us. They have a bunch of athletes on their team. Speed at the top, hitters in the middle, and scrappers at the end.”
Algonquin last won the state championship in 2006. Westfield last played in the state tournament in ’09.
Westfield enjoyed a great regular season run, knocking off previously unbeaten East Longmeadow, then 12-0, before suffering a slight setback the following day at Holyoke, a 1-0 loss. The Bombers also had a mental breakdown the day after the prom, losing 9-1.
Then, in the postseason, Westfield defeated Amherst 2-1, Central 5-3, and Minnechaug 2-1 behind strong pitching performances from Lee Albertson and Anthony Nomakeo.
When its defense is on its game, Westfield has proven it is nearly unbeatable. But just how will the Bombers fare in nine innings when they play seven-inning contests all season long? And with their ace, Albertson, having just pitched seven dominating innings in the Western Massachusetts championship three days ago.
“We don’t expect anybody to go nine (innings) for us,” coach Discenza said. “We will see where we are when we get diminishing returns. When someone gets tired (on the mound), we will make a move.”
The Westfield coach said Nate Barnes, Andy Hess, Adam Mayhew, Rob Portenstein, Conner Sas, and Nomakeo are all available to pitch tonight.
“We have enough arms,” he said.
Discenza also went on to credit assistant coach Mike Kennedy, the junior varsity head coach, with the team’s current success.
Last season, with the varsity head coach sidelined with a foot infection, Kennedy coached the squad on an interim basis. Discenza returned prior to the beginning of the season.
“We are reaping the benefits of what he did,” Discenza said. “Mike is very selfless with his time and skills.”
LEGENDARY SUPPORT: The Westfield High School baseball team received its stamp of approval from a legendary New York Yankee, pitcher Art Ditmar. Ditmar, the grandfather of Westfield junior outfielder Kyle Murphy, played alongside Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford, on the 1958 World Series champion New York Yankees.
“Kyle is a sensational player….a great talent,” Ditmar said of his grandson, who drove in one of two Westfield runs in the Western Mass championship, scoring pinch-runner Jake Toomey with a sac-fly. Murphy also singled, and stole second and third bases as he attempted to manufacture a first-inning run. “I wish Westfield good luck.”
