BELCHERTOWN – Under the bright lights at “Mini-Fenway”, Westfield National was set up with a great opportunity. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Dylan Arooth sent the Westfield faithful jumping to their feet after his walk-off single gave Westfield National the 3-2 win over Belchertown in the 12-year-old Little League District 2 Tournament game on Tuesday night.
Dylan King started off the bottom of the eighth inning with a lead-off double. Jim Cloutier then hit into a fielder’s choice which allowed King to advance to third base.
Westfield National Manager Jim Cloutier was pleased with his team’s overall effort.
“I was impressed with how everybody came ready to play tonight,” said Cloutier. “The kids just battled, pitching and defense, and that’s what we’ve done all tournament long.”
In the top of the eighth inning, Belchertown started it off with a hit from Matt Tilton. But, two consecutive force-outs at second base and a strikeout from Joey Calderella got Westfield National out of the jam.
The Westfield National infield gets ready for the next play. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Riley Sullivan was then able to get Westfield National out of a jam in the top of the seventh inning. After an infield single from Gina Camerota, Tim Mitus grounded out to Sullivan who made a nice double play from shortstop to end the threat.
The top of the sixth inning may have headlined the best defensive play of the contest. Tied at two runs apiece, Tyler McDonald doubled to center field for Belchertown. After a wild pitch from Calderella, Caleb Boyko popped up to Calderella for the first out.
With Ryan O’Neil at the plate with a perfect chance to break up the tie, Sullivan had other intentions. O’Neil hit a groundball to Sullivan who fielded it cleanly and then jumped on second base for the out and then fired a throw to first for the inning-ending double play.
“We had two double-plays tonight, you don’t really see that in Little League,” said Cloutier. “That was outstanding.”
The pitching on both sides did not disappoint. Sullivan went the first four innings for Westfield National, giving up no runs, striking out nine batters, and surrendering just two hits.
Sullivan’s starting opposition, Camerota, also went four strong innings, giving up two runs on six hits while registering six strikeouts.
Calderella went the final two innings for Westfield National as he gave up two runs on five hits while Boyko also went the remaining two innings as he gave up just one run.
Westfield National got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Sullivan hit a solo home run over the left field fence. Catcher Jared Noel followed Sullivan with a homer of his own to give his team the 2-0 lead.
Riley Sullivan pitched four innings of shutout baseball for Westfield National. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
It wasn’t until the top of the fifth inning when Belchertown was able to nod the game up. Camerota singled with one out to put a runner on base. After Mitus flied out to right field, Matt Tilton then singled as Camerota hustled to third base.
Jordan Talbot then hit a fly ball to right field in which the outfielder couldn’t hang on to the ball and allowed two runs to push across for Belchertown.
Westfield National was able to stay strong after Belchertown tied the contest up, and ultimately worked in their favor in the end.
“I’m so happy for the kids, they’ve really put in a lot of work,” said Cloutier. “It’s just a nice win.
