WESTFIELD – Nearly a week after their District 2 pool play opening win against Gateway, the Westfield American 9-and-10-year-old All-Stars continued their offensive potency, using aggressive base running to fuel their offense for the second consecutive game.
Westfield scored its first six runs against Southampton via wild pitches and batted around their lineup in the second inning to win their second game in a mercy rule, 15-3, in four innings at Cross Street Tuesday evening.
Scotty Hepburn earned the win for Westfield American, pitching three innings and striking out five Southampton batters Tuesday evening. (Photo by Robby Veronesi)
“They came into the game flat, so we had to get them ready to play,” said Westfield head coach Tom Flaherty. “They played well defensively and made a couple mistakes, but all the kids got the chance to play. We had a lot of hits, and we were able to take advantage of passed balls to score a lot of runs.”
Designated as the home team for the first time during the 2015 tournament, Westfield jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one inning, then went on to generate five runs in the second inning and six innings in the third inning. They scored 10 runs on 16 Southampton wild pitches, drew nine walks and conjured up nine hits to remain in control throughout the four innings. Nine different Westfield batters recorded one hit to help spread the offensive threat.
Jay Scherpa (13) scored the first run of the game for Westfield American in the first inning on one of nine wild pitches thrown in the opening frame. W.A scored their first six runs of the game on six wild pitches, and plated 10 of their 15 runs via an errant pitch.
Westfield also stole nine bases, leading to two more runs in the second inning to take an 8-0 lead. No. 9 batter Connor Sagan produced the first RBI of the game for Westfield, shooting a single to score Alex Provost and increase the Westfield margin to nine runs. Substitutes Caden Matuszczak and Colby LaPoint provided the only other RBIs in the third inning on a single and a walk respectively.
“It has built their confidence and as they take a delayed steal or coming off of first base, they’re doing everything textbook,” said Flaherty. “They’re learning a lot. The 9-year-olds are looking up to the 10-year-olds and the 10-year-olds are taking leadership roles. They’re learning a whole different level of baseball which is a great part of what All-Stars is about and that’s what makes it fun.”
Scott Hepburn earned the victory for the Westfield pitching staff, throwing three innings while allowing three runs on three hits and striking out five Southampton batters, including striking out the side in the second inning. Luke Poole closed out the game by retiring the side in the fourth inning on nine pitches.
“This was Scotty’s first chance to pitch for us,” said Flaherty. “He pitched well during the year for Sons of Erin and he throws well and over the top. You know it’s coming down straight and he’s snapping down. He’s a big, strong kid and he’s fast. He’s a smart player and doesn’t mess around. Liam closed it out for us and that was his first time pitching for us. He’s a strong performer.”
Westfield American will enjoy a bye this week before returning to action Sunday night at 6 p.m. for the lone Whip City derby at this age level. The kids from Cross Street will head north to Papermill Road to take on Westfield National.
“We’re a strong hitting team,” said Flaherty. “We did it a lot better against their faster pitchers than they did against their slower pitchers. We’re ready for National and I’m sure they’re ready for us on Sunday night.”
