Westfield American Legion Post 124 pitcher Matthew Plasse delivers to an East Springfield Post 420 batter. (Photo by Frederick Gore/www.thewestfieldnews.smugmug.com)
WESTFIELD – Westfield Post 124 opened the 2014 postseason on the right foot, thanks to the arm of pitcher Matt Plasse.
Plasse tossed a two-hitter, striking out eight batters and allowing one unearned run in leading Post 124 to a 6-1 American Legion Baseball tournament opening win over East Springfield Post 420 last night at Bullens Field.
“This was not because of me – this was all them,” Plasse said, deferring accolades to his teammates who provided the offense and defense necessary to advance in the tournament.
Nate Barnes helped Westfield to the early lead with an RBI single in the first inning, Colin Dunn and Brent Houle powered the team’s 4-run, fourth inning, Rob Sullivan (2 runs scored) and Matt Irzyk (run) each went 2-for-3, and Sam Blake had a hit and run scored.
In the bottom of the fourth, Dunn (2 runs) delivered a bases-loaded, two-run single, and Houle laced a two-out, two-run base knock to give Westfield a commanding 6-1 lead. Both batters went 2-for-4 at the plate.
“This was a great way to start (our postseason),” Westfield Post 124 coach Don Irzyk said. “We kind of played our game. We got our bats going. We jumped on them early. That’s what we needed to do, get on (East Springfield pitcher Kevin Hassett) early.”
Hassett, the ace for Cathedral High, has committed to pitch for the University of Massachusetts.
On Wednesday, Plasse outdueled the Panther.
“Matt Plasse did a fantastic job,” coach Irzyk said. “He predominantly throws breaking balls. He keeps them off balance … and we played pretty solid defense.”
Westfield next plays at Pittsfield. Date and time TBD.
“We expect them to be a decent team,” said Irzyk, whose team was bounced from the tournament a year ago in a heartbreaker.
Said Plasse: “We like to think of ourselves like the Spurs of last year. At Pittsfield, we’re going to do whatever we can.”
