Southwick coach Tim Karetka instructs his players prior to taking the field against Ware Friday at Memorial Field. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WARE – The Southwick High School baseball team battered host Ware 15-7 Friday.
Dan McClellan finished just one single short of the cycle, bashing an in-the-park home run, and hitting a double and triple, knocking in six RBIs to lead Southwick.
McClellan’s home run blast in the top of the first inning gave Southwick the early advantage. The Rams’ No. 2 hitter lofted the bomb to deep right center field, raced home, easily beating the tag.
Vinnie Fortini (3-for-4, 2 RBIs), Nick Labodycz (3-4), and Bob Hamel (2-4) also had very productive days at the plate for Southwick.
Tigers sniff postseason
Westfield Voc-Tech 8, Franklin Tech 3
Westfield Voc-Tech inched ever closer to the postseason with a key road victory Friday.
Voc-Tech pitcher Nick Clegg scattered eight hits and issued four walks in a complete game effort. Clegg struck out the side, retiring the Nos. 3-5 batters, to end the game.
Clegg also helped himself at the plate with a pair of hits. Tyler French collected two hits and two RBIs for Voc-Tech. Tigers’ Jake Parsons, Nate Boulay, Chris Boyden, Bishop, and Daniels each also had hits.
Voc-Tech’s Tanner Hart also batted in a run.
“It was good to get run production from different spots in the line-up,” Voc-Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “Hopefully we can continue playing ball the right way and finish the season strong.”
At 8-6 overall (8-4 Tri-County League), the Tigers need just one win to secure a spot in the postseason.
Gateway’s Audrey Gamble fires a pitch at Ware. Shortstop Jordan Cooper (6) looks in at home plate.
SOFTBALL
Indians chase Gators
Ware 14, Gateway 0 (5 inn.)
It was a rough day for the Gators on the road as they were roughed up by the Ware Indians Friday.
On Thursday, Gateway put up a strong fight against McCann Tech, losing 19-9. The Gators held the lead in that game but fell by game’s end.
West Springfield 6, Westfield 0
Terriers blank Bombers
Rachel Swords, Brittany Kowalski, Morgan Shia, Natasha Alverio, and Karly Mastello had the lone hits for Westfield.
JV RESULTS
Ware 3, Southwick 2
Southwick pitcher Josh Sylvia suffered a bit of tough luck, losing a well-spun game. Sylvia hurled a complete game, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and one walk. He struck out five.
Sam Paker highlighted Southwick’s day at the plate with a double. Rams’ Johnny Cesan, Sam Mizanoglu, and Tyler Orban singled.
