Westfield Bank’s Camille Bruno steals third base against Richard’s Jewelers. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – With the season quickly waning, Westfield Bank started the game scoring a run in each of the first three innings to break out to a 3-0 lead but Richards Jewelers had a gem of an inning, scoring 11 runs in the bottom of the third to take an 11-3 lead and coast to a 16-6 victory in a Westfield Little League Softball 14U game Aug. 11 at Sadie Knox Field.
In the decisive third inning, Rachel Bonfitto and Ali LaPanne both had two hits, two runs scored and a RBI as the Jewelers took advantage of some timely hitting and some shaky defense.
Additional hitting stars for Richards were Kelsey Bouchard who reached base four times and scored three runs and Ciara Toporowski who was on base three times, scored two runs and had two RBIs. It was a total team effort as everyone in the line-up scored at least one run.
Richards’ pitching was capably split between Lexi Sanchez, Bouchard and LaPanne. The Jewelers relied on some strong defense as their pitching had but two strikeouts, but still made a number of strong plays in the field.
The Westfield Bank offense was backed by Charlotte Bouyea who was on base twice with two runs scored, Camille Bruno who had two hits and two RBIs and Allie Stucenski who had two hits, a RBI and run scored. Grace LeDuc, Allie Rehor, and Gabby Grabiec all scored a run for Westfield Bank. Bruno, Stucenski and LeDuc took the hill. They managed a combined total of six strikeouts.
Westfield Bank 17 Richards Jewelers 11
Westfield Bank opened the game scoring five runs in the top of the first and never looked back. Camille Bruno’s long double, which just missed clearing the fence, was the key hit in the inning.
Richards answered with two in the bottom of the first but could get no closer. The scoring was capped for Westfield Bank in the top of the seventh by a long two-run home run to center field from Isabella St. Pierre. Charlotte Bouyea had three RBIs and scored a run and Allie Rehor was on base four times and scored three runs. Ava Pederson, Grace LeDuc and St. Pierre each scored two runs while Gabby Grabiec, Marlow Murphy, Savannah Beach, Allie Stucenski and Emily Frangie each scored a run.
The pitching duties were ably handled by Bruno (3 inn., 4 Ks), Stucenski (2 inn., 2 Ks) and Grace LeDuc (2 inn., 2 Ks).
Richards Jewelers offense was led by Grace Trempe who was on base three times and scored two runs. Jaeda Haskoor and Ali LaPanne each scored two runs while Rachel Bonfitto, Katelyn Conner, Abby Balser, Lexi Sanchez and Jahneesa Armstead each scored a run.
Pitching was handled by Lexi Sanchez (3 inn., 3 Ks) and Ali LaPanne (4 inn., 4 Ks).
12-AND-UNDER-DIVISION
OMG 17, Meyers Brothers 12
OMG started strong and scored four runs in each of the first three innings and never looked back in an Aug. 9 contest.
Jayliani Santiago had three hits, including a long double that nearly went for a home run. Gianna Brewster reached base four times and scored three runs while Sydney LaPanne, Kaela Peich, Katie Bouchard, Lily Clark, and Hazel Olsen all reached base three times and scored at least one run apiece. Emma Nelson reached base twice and scored two runs.
The pitching was divided up between Emma Callan, Clark, LaPanne and Peich. LaPanne had a particularly strong inning as she set down the side without giving up a run in her inning pitched.
Meyers Brothers hung in there most of the way but could not close the gap against a powerful OMG squad.
The Meyers Brothers offense was highlighted by the first career home run from Hayley Krupienski.
Shannon Wall reached base three times and scored three runs while Sophie Svantesson, Caitlyn Arooth, and Addy Rowell all scored two runs apiece. The pitchers for Meyers included Gianna Capua, Kristiana Price, Caitlyn Arooth and Mia Houser who made her season debut. – Courtesy of Mike Bonfitto
