Westfield National scored four runs in the first inning to jump out to a big lead early. The first four batters for National reached via a walk and the first three runs scored on walks, with the fourth coming in on a throwing error.
WESTFIELD – Westfield National’s 7-to-9-year-old All-Stars had a tough road through their five-game pool play, losing their last two games by a combined four runs in the final innings. Having been eliminated from a chance of qualifying for the district semifinals, the lone game remaining was a date with their Westfield rivals at Papermill Road.
Nate Pudlo led the Westfield American offense with two hits and two walks. The W.A. catcher scored a run in the fourth inning on a throwing error, which cut the score to 8-4.
The Nats plated four runs in the first and three more in the second inning to jump on top of Westfield American early and their pitching shut down the opposing offense to pull the upset, 8-5, Tuesday evening.
“We played our best game at the end,” said Head Coach Carl Hanselman. “We got off to a rough start at the beginning (of pool play) and then we played better throughout with three games that could have gone either way. We played our best game at the end, so it was a good way to send the kids off.”
Eli Perez (blue) scored two runs in his first two at-bats and stole two bases, while also reaching on two singles and a double to help lead Westfield American’s offense from his leadoff position.
Jackson St. Pierre earned the win on the mound for National by shutting down one of the top-three offenses in the district to four runs in 2 and 1/3 innings. St. Pierre allowed seven hits and his defense made the key stops when they had to to end several innings with the bases loaded.
Jacob Mello earned the save by throwing the remaining 3 and 2/3 innings and allowing single hits in the final three innings to shut down American for good. Mello struck out seven American batters, including striking out the side in the fifth inning.
“Jackson did a great job at the beginning of the game throwing strikes and forcing them to swing at pitches and put it in play,” said Hanselman. “We played good defense and got off to a good start. It’s easier to relax defensively when you have a seven-run lead early. The dugout calmed down and the kids did a better job. Jacob did an outstanding job, especially getting out of the inning with the bases loaded. That was the key to the game getting out of that inning like we did.”
National struck first, scoring four runs in the first inning off American starter Emmett Garfield, who pitched for the first time this season. The designated visiting team displayed consistent patience, drawing four walks to start the game and two more walks with one out–drawing 12 walks throughout the six innings. Johnny Blase, Patrick Willard and Luke Grabowski all drew RBI walks while Blase later scored on a throwing error back to the pitcher.
The Nats scored three more one inning later on the back of their first three hits of the game. Blase looped a RBI single to score Cameron Beaudette and Willard drove in his second and third RBIs on a two-run single two batters later. A throwing error in the third inning plated the final National run. St. Pierre scored three of the eight total runs and drew four walks in his four at-bats.
“We scored the runs early because we were patient. They weren’t throwing a ton of strikes in the first inning or two and we were able to be patient and not go out of the strike zone too much. We found ourselves pitches to hit with runners on base, and that’s how you score runs.”
After the rough start, American settled down and mounted several comebacks, but could not string together a rally long enough to come from behind. Nate Pudlo led the offense with two hits and two walks, while Ted Dunn drove in two runs. Ryan Garvey and Garfield drove in a run each, while Eli Perez scored two runs in his first two at-bats.
Dunn led the defensive front for American, coming in relief of Garfield and Perez in the third inning and pitched 3 and 1/3 no-hit innings with six strikeouts. Dunn allowed three total runners to reach safely, all three coming via the walk.
Westfield American already qualified for a spot in the district semifinals before Tuesday’s game and they will find out who and where they play their semifinal match after the other two games finish their pool play.
