WESTFIELD – Paper Mill Field erupted in cheers Friday evening as the Westfield National 11-12-year-old Little Leaguers claimed the District 2 championship in four innings against visiting Agawam 11-1.
Behind the pitching heroics of Ethan Flaherty and a balanced offensive attack, National bolted out to an early 2-0 lead in the first and never looked back, with Walter Figueroa providing the exclamation point, a 2-run double to give his team the victory.
Other key offensive contributors included Ryan Moorhouse, whose solo home run in the bottom of the third gave the home team a 3-0 lead.
Westfield National’s Jack Masciadrelli, foreground, beats the tag at second during last night’s game with Agawam. Westfield National went on to win the District 2 championship in a mercy ruled 11-1 game. (Photo by Frederick Gore
Sharp baserunning and skillful smallball on the part of National would also set up CJ Skribiski, who would smack a double later in the inning to boost that lead to 7-0.
After the game, Westfield manager Billy Lamirande was both ecstatic and relieved by his team’s performance.
“We were in this situation last year. We played well and we lost by a run in the last inning,” he said, reiterating how proud he was of his boys. “I knew I had the team to go this far, but we played a heck of a team in Agawam. We played them Saturday and won 4-2, but I knew it was going to be a battle to beat this team.”
Lamirande also highlighted the keys to his team’s success, including a defense that’s given up only seven runs in their six contests.
“It’s our pitching and defense that’s done it all year. It’s been phenomenal,” he said. “No matter how good your hitting is, pitching and defense will win a game.”
As the players pig-piled on top of eachother and hammed it up for the media, Lamirande remarked at what a culmination this win was for this group.
“I’ve been coaching these guys since they were seven, eight years old, and I’ve known and coached them their whole childhood,” he said before looking forward to the team’s next contest in the state sectionals. “It gets harder from here on out, but we’ve got a few days off.”
Westfield National will play at Paper Mill Field next Wednesday in the state sectionals. Their opponent is yet to be determined.
