Westfield American Legion Post 124 pitcher Matthew Plasse delivers to an Easthampton batter. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Westfield Post 124 pulled off one for the thumb.
Westfield won its fifth straight game to start the 2013 American Legion baseball. Post 124 beat the rain and defeated Easthampton 224, 3-2, Tuesday night at Westfield State University to remain undefeated (5-0).
Westfield broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, and held on.
Connor Sas got Westfield going, hitting a lead-off single to begin the sixth. He advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Kyle Murphy, and scored on Jake Toomey’s double. Nate Barnes plated Toomey with a triple. Ryan Tettemer scored the game-winning run with a sac-fly.
Westfield pitcher Matt Plasse was efficient on the mound, scattering five hits over six-plus innings. He allowed two runs and struck out seven. Kenny McLean earned the save for Post 124. McLean struck out the side in the seventh to end the game.
“Matt Plasse did a great job,” Westfield coach Don Irzyk said. “He kept us in it. We squandered a couple chances early. He did his job and we put it together in the sixth.”
“The good thing that I told the guys is that they did what they had to do to win the game. They hung around and kept it scoreless, put runs on the board and made it hold up. I can’t argue with that.”
Tim Donahue also had a nice day offensively for Westfield. Donahue went 2-for-3 with a triple.
Westfield will attempt to win its sixth consecutive game in six days when it hosts Ludlow Post 52 Wednesday at Westfield State University at 5:45 p.m.
“It will be a challenge,” coach Irzyk said.
Liam Flaherty is scheduled to get his first start of the season for Westfield on Wednesday night.
