WESTFIELD – After taking a tough loss against the Nashua Silver Knights last week and mired in a seven-game losing streak, the Westfield Starfires picked up two well-deserved wins against the Knights in a Saturday double header at Bullens Field. Both games were played in seven innings, with Game One ending with a score of 2–0 and Game Two finishing with an impressive final of 9–1.
Two scoreless innings to start the first game ended when Westfield put a lone run on the board in the third inning. Two singles from Angelo D’Acunto and Danny Crossen helped to drive in that first run.
The only other run of the matchup came in the fourth inning when Westfield’s Christian Walsh hit a double and scored on Andrew Selima’s double.
Westfield Starfires Sean Moorhouse (24) completes a double play after the throw by Elijah Dale (4) from second during Saturday’s double header against the Nashua Silver Knights at Bullens Field. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
Starfires pitcher Chase Jeter had an impressive seven strikeouts that helped solidify a much-needed victory.
With one successful game completed to lift the weight of a losing streak off of the Starfires’ shoulders, Game Two was a must-win to really turn the team’s luck around.
Like the first matchup, the scoring of Game Two was low for the majority of the contest. Both the Starfires and the Silver Knights scored one run in the first inning, but those would be the only runs until the sixth when the Starfires turned up the heat offensively.
Two walks and an error in the sixth inning loaded the bases for Westfield at a time where a run was crucial. The next batter that stepped up to the plate did not disappoint.
Starfires third baseman Christian Walsh hit a rocket to left field that flew over the outfield fence, making the grand slam look easy. The hit marks the second home run for Walsh on the season and it was exactly what the Starfires needed to put themselves in a winning position.
Four more powerful hits and two errors in the inning added to the Starfires already comfortable lead as they racked up eight runs in the inning.
Although the bats were what put Westfield in the winners circle, a solid pitching performance by Pat Gallagher was vital in the victory.
Gallagher pitched a complete game and had seven strikeouts in seven innings to cap off a great win.
The pitcher said that there were times where he got frustrated with himself but has learned how to calm himself down and keep his head in the game.
“I’ve been working a lot on my mental game and I’ve been trying to tell myself that everyone’s going to fail at some point,” Gallagher said. “So if I just fix that mistake, I’ll be fine the rest of the game.”
Gallagher always tries to pitch with purpose and determination and credits that with his success in important games.
“I knew that all I had to do was just take an aggressive approach on the mound.” Gallagher said. “I just try to give everything I have and compete.”
The Starfires’ overall attitude and morale is what really made a difference in the double header victories, according to Gallagher.
“We had a different energy today.” Gallagher said. “We weren’t content with where we were. We were 6–18 before today and that didn’t sit well with us.”
Beating the Silver Nights was a team effort and Gallagher mentioned that the team was very cohesive and on the same page the whole night.
“We wanted to pull two wins today and put our minds to that goal,” Gallagher said. “We worked as a team. Everyone really came together today to get it done.” – Courtesy of Audrey Gamble/Westfield Starfires
