WESTFIELD – No. 5 ITI kicked off the 2014 Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball Amanti Cup in a big, big way.
ITI belted out 11 runs in the tournament opener, upending fourth-seeded Kiwanis, 11-7, Wednesday night at Bullens Field. ITI starting pitcher Sam St. Jean tossed a one-hitter through four innings before turning it over to the bullpen for the final three.
ITI’s offense staked St. Jean to a 3-0, first-inning lead.
Andrew Tobias led off the game with a single, stole second base, and St. Jean walked. A fielder’s choice (Nate Boulay RBI) made it 1-0. With two outs, Mike Nihill hit a deep blast to right field that resulted in a two-run double. Cam Davignon singled through the right side, driving in the inning’s third run.
ITI tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning and two in the fifth to take a commanding 9-0 lead.
In the fourth, Scott Bussell and Chris Torres had the big hits, RBI singles. Elliot Avery’s bases loaded walk in the ninth made it 9-0.
Kiwanis fought back.
In the bottom of the sixth, Kiwanis rallied for five runs. The team took advantage of some mental breakdowns by ITI, and collected run-scoring hits from Colin Johnson, Mason Kowal, Colton Baker, and Hunter Authier to climb within 9-5.
Both teams exchanged two runs each in the final inning.
The game was just one of many slated to take place at Bullens Field over the next several days. The Dan Welch City Cup begins tomorrow with Sons of Erin vs. McDonald’s at 5 p.m., followed by Police-Advance Manufacturing at 7:30.
Tournament games will continue Friday and through the weekend, culminating with championships June 24-25.
