EAST LYME, CONN. – The Westfield 14U Babe Ruth tournament team, the Westfield Wolf Pack, traveled down to southern Connecticut this past weekend to compete in the War at the Shore Summer Vacation Beach Bash. Following two mediocre performances in early July, the Wolf Pack traveled south with one goal in mind; win the tournament.
WESTFIELD BABE RUTH 14-YEAR-OLD ALL-STARS
On Saturday morning the boys got off to a solid start led by pitcher Colin Scanlon who hurled five strong innings for Westfield to lead the team to a 13-4 victory over the Rye Grays. Mason Collingwood led the way with three hits, while CJ Skribiski added two. Mike Hall, Walter Figueroa and Matt Pelletier added hits and runs scored in the victory. The Wolf Pack got on the sticks early and never looked back.
In game two on Saturday afternoon RHP Josh Lis earned the start and allowed just three earned runs on four hits over 5.1 innings. Colby Gazda’s single in the third plated David Roundy giving the Wolf Pack an early 1-0 lead. The Long Island Titans scored one of their own in the fourth before plating two in the sixth and two in the seventh to take a 5-1 lead heading into the home half of the seventh. The Wolf Pack didn’t go out without a fight. Colin Scanlon and CJ Skribiski would each single while Ethan Flaherty would reach on an error to give the Wolf Pack some life. A fielder’s choice off the bat of Wil Cameron plated a run, while a second run scoring on an ensuing error got Westfield within one but the Titans would hold on for a 5-3 victory.
After earning the fifth seed heading into the quarterfinals, manager Matt Avery sent Ethan Flaherty to the hill. Flaherty battled through the first couple of innings but settled down to deliver a quality start for Westfield. Matt Pelletier, Colby Gazda, Mason Collingwood, Cj Skribiski, Mike Hall and Flaherty all delivered multiple hits in the 13-4 victory. Catcher Jack Masciadrelli added a double and threw out a base runner stealing, effectively putting an end to the running game for the day. David Roundy and Walter Figueroa each ran down several shots in the outfield, while Jack Lamirande made a slick play on a one hopper behind second helping the pitching staff keep the damage limited.
In the semifinals, the Wolf Pack had a chance for redemption as they once again squared off with the Long Island Titans. Mikey Hall got the start for Westfield and gave his best performance of the summer on the mound. The Titans got off to a quick start on the Wolf Pack due to a couple defensive miscues and timely hits in the first and took a 3-0 lead. Westfield would answer with two of their own in the bottom half on singles by Colby Gazda and Mason Collingwood cutting the lead to 3-2 after one.
Mikey Hall, Ryan Moorhouse, Jack Masciadrelli and Matt Pelletier would each add hits as the Wolf Pack took an 8-3 lead, and the momentum, into the seventh inning. Hall would pitch into the seventh where he would give way to Greg Sarna-McCarthy who come in for the save, his second shut down appearance of the day, and clinch the Wolf Pack’s 8-6 semifinal victory.
In their third contest of the day, Westfield would square off against the Ocean State Outlaws in the Beach Bash championship game. After throwing 1.2 efficient innings on Saturday, RHP Darrin Roberts was given the ball in the championship and did not disappoint. Roberts went four innings, throwing just 48 pitches, allowing two hits and two unearned runs while striking out four and walking one. With no score heading into the third, the Wolf Pack would put up five runs on hits by Walter Figueroa, David Roundy, Matt Pelletier and Colby Gazda. The Outlaws put up two runs in the fourth and another two in the fifth before taking a 6-5 lead heading into the seventh.
Down two their last three outs and chasing a run, the Wolf Pack dug deep and showed some determination. Mason Collingwood started the seventh with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Mikey Hall would single to put two runners on. Colin Scanlon would then hit a deep fly ball to right to score Collingwood tying the game at six. After surviving the bottom of the seventh unscathed, The Wolf Pack would clinch the victory in extra frames.
Figueroa led off the eighth with a single, followed by a Ryan Moorhouse single. On the very next pitch David Roundy laced a single up the middle giving the Wolf Pack a 7-6 lead. A sac fly by Colby Gazda allowed Moorhouse to tag and score giving Westfield an 8-6 lead. In the home half of the inning, Ryan Moorhouse got the call from the bullpen and needed just six pitches to shut the door and earn the save for the Wolf Pack as they clinched their first championship of the summer.
Manager Matt Avery, coaches Bob Eak, Bill Lamirande and Dan Lucia could not have been more proud of the boys and the heart and determination they showed. Three games in one day is asking a lot. They say sweeping a double header is hard; a triple header, under pressure, is even harder.
The Wolf Pack continues their World Series preperation on July 25 as they compete in the 14U Mid-Summer World Series at the NEBC in Northborough, MA, arguably their toughest test to date.
The Westfield World Series begins with the skills competition on Wednesday August 10th, following by Opening Day on Thursday August 11th. The Westfield Wolf Pack opens up their pool play in the primetime game Thursday evening at 7:00pm following opening ceremonies. The team and league hopes to fill the park beyond capacity for opening night and the entire week.
Thanks to all the families, friends and the community for their support and in particular the World Series Executive Committee and Babe Ruth League President Dan Welch for their countless hours of hard work putting this fantastic event together. See everyone August 10-18 at Bullens Field!
