An inning after falling behind 3-1 on Liam Poole’s three-run home run, Westfield National responded in the fourth inning and Anthony Schabowski scored their final run of the game on a wild pitch. Jay Scherpa (13) retired the final nine batters for Westfield American after allowing this wild pitch.
WESTFIELD – The rematch at Papermill Road between District Two’s top offensive and top defensive squads greatly differed from the July 5 showdown less than a week ago. With two Whip City teams squaring off for the 9- and 10-year-old district championship, Westfield automatically earned its first district little league banner of the summer.
Patrick Flaherty recorded two hits and a RBI in Westfield American’s 10-2 win in the District Two Championship for 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars. Flaherty scored the first American run on Liam Poole’s three-run home runs in the third inning and drove in an insurance run in the fourth inning.
Jay Scherpa threw a complete game, backed by an error-free defense, and Liam Poole’s three-run home run barely cleared the fence to spark the offense and lead Westfield American to a 10-2 championship victory over Westfield National, avenging their 8-3 loss Sunday during pool play.
“I was manager for my oldest son’s team and we didn’t have that opportunity (to win the championship),” said Head Coach Tom Flaherty. “It’s a great feeling (and) I’m really proud of the kids. They’ve worked extremely hard and have learned a lot. It’s great to see and now we’ve got the bonus round of going to the sectionals next weekend. We definitely still want to win and they’re happy. This is the way baseball should be.”
Scherpa earned the win in dominant fashion, tossing a complete-game six innings and scattering five hits over the first four innings. The right-hander also struck out six batters in his second consecutive quality start after his outing Tuesday at Easthampton helped the kids from Cross Street qualify for the second spot in pool B.
Jay Scherpa threw a complete game in the district championship against Westfield National–his second consecutive quality start this week. Scherpa struck out six National batters and allowed a pair of hits, and also retired nine consecutive batters after allowing the second run in the fourth inning.
“Scherpa was absolutely phenomenal,” said Flaherty. “He made very few mistakes. He was right on and he really came out to play. I told him in the last inning that he had only nine pitches left to get to his limit. I said (to him) that he could do it and he did and the ball game was over.”
The game started out as expected, with two commanding pitchers and equally tight defenses forcing a pair of scoreless innings each. American loaded the bases on three walks in the second inning, but one of two early web gems in the field from second baseman Anthony Schabowski and timely strikeouts from National starting pitcher Cody Collins helped shut down American. Scherpa’s second-inning strikeout barrage quickly quieted any chance of National jumping out to an early lead in the first two innings, a crucial aspect which helped them obtain a 4-0 record in pool play.
Patrick Flaherty recorded two assists and a putout from his shortstop position, including helping Westfield American sit down a pair of Westfield National batters in the first inning.
The Nats scored on the opening run in the third inning on the back of an Ethan Porter groundout, but American’s bats came alive the second time through the lineup, much like their 17-7 semifinal win at Belchertown Thursday. American led the 10-team field in offense all summer, plating 86 runs in their five games, and that trend continued against a National defense that had allowed just seven runs in its five games leading up to Saturday.
Devin Werbiskis pinch-ran for George Kimball in the top of the third inning and scored the first run of the game, putting Westfield National ahead 1-0 early on Ethan Porter’s RBI groundout.
The designated home team put the first two runners on base, thanks to singles from Patrick Flaherty and Jacob Wagner. After two quick flyouts, Liam Poole crushed a three-run home run to right-centerfield, barely clearing the 200-foot fence. Poole finished the day with a 2-for-4 outing at the plate, recording a pair of hits and scoring two runs for the Blue and White.
“The funny thing about Liam’s three-run blast was that I wanted him to move the runners over,” said Flaherty. “I gave him the bunt sign (the second time) and then I see him swinging away. The home run was 200 feet and maybe one inch, but that’s all he needed. It was such a confidence booster to put up those runs, take the lead and never look back.”
Liam Poole (left, blue helmet) hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to give Westfield American a 3-1 lead, The eventual game-winning hit barely cleared the wall at Papermill–200 feet away from home plate.
Jay Scherpa is mobbed by teammates after retiring the Westfield National lineup in order in the sixth inning of Westfield American’s 10-2 victory in the championship of the 9- and 10-year-old district tournament.
American put the game out of reach in the fifth inning, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring six times to eclipse double-digits for the second straight game. Jay Scherpa doubled to open the inning and Kyle Scherpa grounded into a fielder’s choice, but the ball was thrown away on the attempt to get J. Scherpa out at third, allowing American’s pitcher to score. Poole’s second RBI plated K. Scherpa to start the long inning.
Scott Hepburn and Sean Roselli reached to load the bases with no outs, and the bottom of the order cashed in once again during the summer. Substitutes Caden Matuszczak and Alex Provost drove in two more runs on a hit-by-pitch and a walk, and Jay Scherpa hit a sacrifice fly to left field to conclude the big inning.
“We took advantage of some mistakes there in that last inning. If they made the earlier outs, it would have been a different game. For us, the players got on base and were smart on base.”
Westfield American will continue their hunt for a state title when they begin their sectional tournament Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Papermill Road against an opponent to be determined.
