MAJOR LEAGUE
GAME DATE: 4/22/17
Kiwanis 11, Moose Lodge 6
With the excitement of opening day upon us, both teams came out of the gate ready to go. Each team plated 2 runs apiece in the first inning. After settling down, Kiwanis’ pitchers Anthony Schabowski (3 innings pitched) and Ray Vergara (3 innings pitched) combined for 14 strikeouts and allowed 6 runs through six innings.
The Kiwanis team scored 11 runs on 12 hits, highlighted by a Schabowski two run homer. The hit parade was led by Colin Cusack (3 hits, 2 runs scored), Dylan Gibson (2 hits, 1 run scored), Cam Cusack (2 hits, 2 runs scored), Schabowski (1 hit, 2 runs scored), Luke Grabowski (2 hits, 2 runs scored), and Brandon Kingsley (2 hits). Cole Page and Zach Ellis also displayed aggressive base running, each scoring runs for Kiwanis. Both Dylan St. Onge and Ethan Croteau had strong defensive efforts, helping Kiwanis to a 1-0 record.
GAME DATE: 4/22/17
Air Compressor Engineering 4, Sons of Erin 3
After coming back to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, Air Compressor Engineering walked-off with a 4-3 opening day victory in the bottom of the sixth inning over Sons of Erin. Cam Lisowski started the game with a walk and moved to third base on a solid double to the left center field gap by Kaevon Eddington. Jesse Paroline followed with a game winning sacrifice fly to left field, plating Lisowski to lift Air Compressor to their first win of the season.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Air Compressor loaded the bases and tied the score on a hard fought walk and RBI by Ethan Connors that scored Nick Goodwin who reached base with one of his two hits.
Lisowski reached base three times, scored twice, and pitched four strong innings with eight strikeouts. Paroline reached base three times as did Goodwin who also pitched two innings with three strikeouts and picked up the win for Air Compressor. Gavin Connors had a base hit and an RBI while Anthony Melo reached base twice for Air Compressor.
Patrick Moore had two hits and scored two runs and Ted Dunn reached base three times with two hits, an RBI and scored a run for Sons of Erin.
GAME DATE: 4/24/17
Commercial Distributing 5, Sons of Erin 3
Despite a strong effort by the Sons of Erin, Commercial Distributing’s heavy hitting and precise pitching led them to a 5-3 win. Both Commercial and Sons of Erin pitchers did not let up any runs in the first two innings. On the mound for Sons were Caden Matuszcak recording 4 K’s and Ted Dunn with 3K’s. The Sons ran into some trouble in the third, as Commercial scored all 5 of their runs in that inning, bringing the score to 5-1. Sons rallied in the fourth, crossing the plate two more times, but it was not enough to secure the win. Top hitters for Sons were Patrick Moore and Ted Dunn both smashing a double bagger each. Moore, Dunn, and Tom Brown each recorded one RBI. Lead scorers were Moore, Bryan Bolio, and Scotty Hepburn, each with one run.
GAME DATE: 4/26/17
Hastie Fence 14, Air Compressor Engineering 1
It was a tough outing for Air Compressor Engineering as Hastie Fence’s Josh Sturmer pitched 5 solid innings, striking out 7, behind a powerful Hastie Fence offensive attack. Hastie Fence (2-0) jumped out early for 3 runs in the top of the first and never looked back. Air Compressor Engineering (1-1) managed 1 run in the bottom of the first inning on a Jesse Paroline triple followed by Gavin Connors’ RBI single. That would prove to be all of the scoring in the contest for AC despite singles by Nick Goodwin, Anthony Melo, Ethan “Beef” Connors and a 2 for 2 performance by Grady Flaherty with a single and double. Al Rogers reached base safely with the only base on balls issued by Sturmer.
WHEELER DIVISION
GAME DATE: 4/23/17
Tucker’s Restaurant 13, Cloot’s Auto Body 11
On a beautiful spring afternoon at Papermill Field, Tucker’s Restaurant hosted Cloot’s Auto Body in the first match up of the season for both teams. In a back and forth affair, Tucker’s Restaurant held on in the bottom of the 6th with Jackson LeValley on the hill to secure the 13 to 10 victory. Aiden Daugherty, Nolan Avery, Jackson LeValley, MacEwan Cook, Parker Aube, and Zachary Trudeau led the offensive charge with each player scoring two runs for Tucker’s Restaurant. Jackson LeValley, Jaren Beebe, Jack McGrievey, Jacob Riley, and Parker Aube collected hits to pace the offense for Tucker’s. On the hill, Jack McGrievey, Nolan Avery, Jaren Beebe, and Jackson LeValley offered fine pitching performances to secure the win. The Tucker’s pitching staff was aided by strong defensive performances from Aiden Daugherty, Jadiel Adorno, Brandon Parks, Parker Aube, Nolan Avery, and Jacob Riley.
FARM DIVISON
GAME DATE: 4/22/17
Berkshire Industries 5, Dick’s Sporting Goods 5
Berkshire Industries tied Dick’s Sporting Goods in their first outing of the season. It was a tale of two halves as Dick’s scored 5 runs the first half of the game and then Berkshire scored 5 runs in the latter. The calendar may have said April, but Berkshire pitchers Tyrus Traska & Nathan Jarvis were pitching in mid-season form. Tyrus also had a great hit to the outfield but it was Jordan Hellers who really helped to get the Berkshire rally going. Berkshire had a chance to win the game in the end but left the bases loaded. Great efforts by Brodie Grabiec & Nick Madsen for hustling when catching and getting the ball back to the pitcher quickly.
ROOKIE DIVISION
Westfield Police Association vs. Great Cuts
All the sunny smiles from the Westfield Police Association Rookie players warmed the cold and rainy morning of Opening Day. The boys proudly marched with their banner to Cross Street field, eager to kick off their season. Game 1 was on Sunday at North Middle at 1 pm against visiting team Great Cuts and it was a wonderful start to the year. The boys made some great plays and their bats were impressive off the tee. Cheers could be heard from both dugouts and the sportsmanship displayed by both sides of the field was something to behold. The sunny weather made the day even more enjoyable and the boys are already excited for their next game! What an awesome start to the 2017 season! – Courtesy of Westfield Little League
