Westfield Starfires’ Thomas Joyce (36) is congratulated on his home run Wednesday night against Nashua at Bullens Field. (Photo by Kellie Adam)
WESTFIELD – The Starfires lost their third straight home game, the latest a 10-4 drubbing by the Nashua Silver Knights Wednesday night at Bullens Field.
No runs were scored in the first inning and both teams picked up a single run in the second inning. Starfires left fielder Thomas Joyce put his team on the board with a solo home run, sending the ball clear over the outfield fence. While the play gave the Starfires some momentum, Westfield would fail to add to the score again until the eighth inning.
Nashua dominated the field offensively for most of the game with well-placed hits rolling off the bats nonstop. The Silver Knights kept the Starfires outfielders busy throughout the matchup, making them work for each out.
On the defensive side, Silver Knights’ shortstop Benjamin Cowles had a handful of incredible plays that kept the ball in the infield, another factor that helped put a stop to the Starfires’ scoring.
As Nashua continued to rack up runs, the Starfires did not give up, putting effort into each play made. The Starfires pitchers were key in the game, with 10 strikeouts overall, four of those coming from Mitch McQuate.
Heading into the eighth inning with a score of 10–1, Westfield looked to put a few more runs on the board to try and shut down the Silver Knights.
Starfires center fielder Danny Crossen got on base after Nashua’s shortstop made an error and failed to get the out at first.
Pinch hitter Andrew Selima hit a single to advance Crossen to second, leaving him in scoring position. Thomas Joyce joined the party with a single, loading up the bases for the next batter. Crossen scored on a wild pitch, leaving two base runners for the Starfires to bring home.
Both base runners scored after a passed ball and nother single, ending the inning with a score of 10–4, still in favor of the Silver Knights.
The score did not budge in the ninth inning and Westfield was forced to leave Bullens Field with yet another tough loss.
With a double header to come on Saturday, the Starfires leave this game behind in a quest to end the losing streak on home turf in exchange for the taste of victory. – Courtesy of Audrey Gamble/Westfield Starfires
