WESTFIELD – The Gateway Regional High School had been a superpower to open the 2014 regular season, winning five straight. On Tuesday, St. Mary proved to be their kryptonite.
St. Mary received a solid effort on the mound from Brendan Mickalay, sound defense, and offensive contributions from several different players to defeat Gateway 9-4 at Bullens Field.
The game was made up after being postponed a day earlier due to unplayable field conditions in Huntington (thanks to a late winter thaw).
“It was a good game,” St. Mary coach Troy Collins said. “Brendan Mickalay was very steady on the mound. He gave us quality innings, and we played some solid defense behind him.”
Mickalay recorded eight strikeouts through six innings. Eighth grader Connor Koziol allowed just one hit and no runs in relief.
Another eighth grader, Matt Masciadrelli (2-for-2, 4 RBIs, 2 runs) provided the offensive fireworks with a three-run homer in the fourth.
St. Mary (3-1) rallied over the middle frames, scoring five runs in the fourth inning and four more in the fifth.
“It’s nice to see the young guys really come in and play,” coach Collins said. “I think we turned a little bit of a corner today.”
Colin Blake (2-3, 3 RBIs), Alex Shelter (2-4, triple, run), Sam Thresher (hit), and Ryan Gendron (hit, run) contributed offensively for St. Mary. Gendron also played well at shortstop, and Charlie White was a defensive standout at third base.
Josh Baillargeon clubbed a two-run home run for Gateway (5-1) in the sixth inning.
Curtis Dowers (2 hits, RBI), Justin Edinger (hit, run), Johnny Haskell (hit), and Tommy Ruffo (hit) also had hits for the Gators.
Gateway pitcher Brett Turban allowed five hits and five walks, striking out five batters through 4 2-3 innings. James Degray yielded three hits and one walk through 1 2-3. He recorded one strikeout.
