Westfield American Legion Post 124 Head Coach and Manager Donald Irzyk, , foreground left, and Greenfield Post 81 Head Coach Timothy Capuano, rear left, review the line up cards with umpires prior to Wednesday night’s game in Greenfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – It was an ominous start for Westfield Post 124 in Game 2 of the best-of-3 American Legion Baseball state sectionals championship deep in the north-central part of the state yesterday.
Depending on one’s viewpoint, that could either be referring to the dark, stormy skies overhead or the defensive mastery of Greenfield Post 81 in the top of the first inning.
Greenfield’s outfielders made three highlight-reel catches to start the game, and Westfield starter Rob Sullivan walked Post 81’s leadoff batter before last night’s game was suspended due to lightning.
The game will resume play at Greenfield’s Veterans Field Wednesday at 4:45. If Westfield wins the second game of the three-game set, a third and final contest will be played shortly thereafter.
In the series opener Tuesday night, Greenfield starter Ben Ruddock recorded six strikeouts in a complete-game, four-hitter, leading Post 81 to a 3-1 victory.
In Game 2, Greenfield’s outfield made two diving catches, and a leaping grab. Post 81’s Mark Buck walked to begin the home half of the first before the umpire halted the game for lightning.
“We did what we could,” Westfield coach Don Irzyk said. “We can’t feel bad about that. We made an attempt to play the game.”
Westfield will now be tasked with winning both ends of the double-header to claim the title, and do so without home field advantage. The series must be completed Thursday, according to league rules, to allow for proper paperwork to be finished in time for the departmental tournament, beginning this weekend.
Post 124 will still be the “home” team on Greenfield’s turf if a third game is played Thursday.
