East Springfield 6, Westfield 2
FOREST PARK, SPRINGFIELD – Westfield Post 124 lost its fourth straight on Wednesday, falling 6-2 to second-place East Springfield Post 420. On Friday things don’t get much easier for Post 124 when they close out the 2017 regular season with a home game against first-place Northampton Post 28 (5:45 p.m. at Jachym Field).
Missing a third of its lineup, Westfield (11-6) nonetheless managed to take a 2-1 lead in the top of third. With one out, Colin Burns’ hard ground ball was mishandled – knocking off the third baseman’s sunglasses on the play – and he was able to beat the late throw. Burns stole second and scored on Jacob Colapietro’s single to right. Colapietro took second on the throw and scored on the next pitch when J.D. Huntley lined a single to right. The throw home was on time to get Colapietro, but the catcher couldn’t handle the one-hopper, giving Westfield its only lead of the game.
Westfield Post 124 catcher Jack Blake throws the ball back to the pitcher. (Photo by Chris Putz)
East Springfield scored four runs in the bottom of the third to take back the lead. With two outs, Post 420 managed a bloop to short center, a double, single, and a hit batter on an 0-2 count to move ahead 5-2. Westfield starter Cam Niemiec allowed one more run in the fourth.
Post 124 put runners on first and second with no outs in the fourth, but were then retired in order. Jack Blake led off the sixth with a single, but was stranded at first. In the seventh with one out, Burns again handcuffed the third baseman to reach, but was left at first.
The double-elimination American Legion playoffs are scheduled to start on Monday, July 10. Seedings, schedules and game times have not yet been announced.
This story is courtesy of Westfield Post 124.
