Westfield Voc-Tech pitcher Jake Parsons delivers a pitch against Granby Wednesday at Bullens Field. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – Westfield Voc-Tech sophomore southpaw Jake Parsons suffered a tough defeat despite a dominating performance on the mound for the Tigers’ baseball team.
Parsons tossed a three-hitter in a 3-0 loss to Granby Wednesday at Bullens Field. The young lefty recorded 12 strikeouts, allowing four walks and just one earned run.
“Jake pitched a great game,” Voc-Tech longtime coach Clem Fucci said. “He was in control of his pitches today. He had good control of his changeup. He kept us in the ball game. We didn’t hit well.”
Voc-Tech’s best opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth inning, trailing 1-0.
No. 6 batter Reid Phillips led off the fifth with a sharp-hit single to left field, and advanced to second base when the Granby left fielder misjudged the ball, allowing it to roll toward the outfield fence. Nick Wood followed with a perfect sacrifice bunt, moving Phillips to third. But Granby pitcher Shane Hollenbeck forced two infield fly-outs to end the inning.
In the top of the sixth, Granby clean-up batter Travis Padgett lofted a fast-sinking fly ball to center field. The Voc-Tech center fielder made a diving attempt to field the ball, but it got by him. He retrieved the ball and fired it toward third base, but it sailed out of play. Padgett scored.
It was the second big error of the game for Voc-Tech. Granby opened the game scoring on a dropped third strike. The baserunner had reached base on an error.
Parsons plunked the next batter in the sixth, Max Humphrey. Humphrey eventually came around to score on Nick Laporte’s line drive single through the right side for a 3-0 lead.
Granby reliever Zachary Funk earned a save in the seventh, retiring the side 1-2-3.
“We’re hitting the ball better than last year,” said Fucci, whose team at 0-5 is still searching for an indentity early in the 2013 regular season. “Our defense is still not there.”
“We have a great group of kids who work their butts off,” he added. “We’re still a work in progress. When Jake’s in the ball game, we’ve always got a chance. Unfortunately, we have to play almost perfect.”
