Matt Irzyk delivers a pitch for the Westfield High School baseball team. (File Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – The two-time defending Western Massachusetts Division I champion Westfield Bombers began defense of their baseball title amidst snow banks, in between gymnasium walls, and on the hardtop outside.
Not quite the scenario Westfield had envisioned after leaving the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a championship in tow, following a win over Agawam in the finals last June.
What the team and its fans will see though, is its key cog, Brent Houle, return to the mound this season in his penultimate year as a senior. Last season, Houle tossed a one-hitter in the Western Mass semis and came on in relief with the bases loaded and no outs in the finals to strike out the side and retire the final nine batters to secure a championship victory.
Senior Matt Irzyk, who also played a major role in Westfield’s tournament advancement, returns on the mound, as well as junior Liam Flaherty.
“We need depth at pitching,” Westfield coach Rich Discenza said. “Hopefully we will find it.”
Pitching may just be the key to the team’s success.
With additional games against East Longmeadow and Minnechaug due to realignment, the schedule gets just that much harder.
“The schedule is now 14 percent tougher than last year,” Discenza said. “You need that third guy … You need to be a lot deeper on the hill.”
Westfield is slated to open the 2014 season against Northampton March 31 at Bullens Field. First pitch is at 4 p.m.
WHS HOSTS YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC: Westfield High School will host a youth baseball clinic on Saturday, March 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participating athletes should bring a glove and bat. The Westfield High coaching staff and players will provide instruction on baseball fundamentals.
SUMMERS IN CARDS FOR SPRING: Westfield native Ryan Summers is currently on the roster for the Louisville Cardinals baseball team. Although Summers has only seen limited action as a backup outfielder and catcher, the school’s assistant sports information director, Garrett Wall, said “he is certainly an athletic and talented player.”
SPAGHETTI DINNER: A spaghetti dinner to benefit the Westfield Terminators will be held Saturday, March 29 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church Center at 60 Broad Street from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $7 for adults and $5 for children 6-12. Children 5 years old and under are free. All proceed will benefit the Westfield Terminators Baseball Club’s 2014 trip to Cooperstown.
