WORCESTER – Westfield State sophomore Pete Liimatainen (W. Barnstable, MA) earned the victory in relief and classmate D.J. Bishop (Dartmouth, MA) blasted his first collegiate homer as fourth-seeded Westfield State defeated No. 3 seed Framingham State in the first elimination game of the MASCAC Tournament baseball semifinals on Sunday morning, May 4, at Rockwood Park.
Westfield State (17-18-1) will play in the second elimination game of the semifinals at 4:30 this afternoon when the face No. 2 seed Salem State, which dropped a 9-5 decision to Worcester State in the winner’s bracket early afternoon game. Framingham (20-18) awaist word on a possible ECAC Division III New England Tournament berth which will be announced on Monday
The Owls took over the early 3-0 advantage over the first three innings of play. Bishop belted a wind-blown solo homer to right in the top of the second before junior Pat McWilliams (Duxbury, MA) connected on a two-run single with two outs in the third stanza.
Westfield State pushed its margin to 4-0 when an unearned run crossed the plate in the top of the fourth. Sophomore Danny DiMatteo (Dennis, MA) scampered home after the third baseman couldn’t field a ground ball for the final out of the inning.
Framingham State then responded with five runs over the next three frames of play to take over a 5-4 edge.
After junior Mark Mainini (Hull, MA) knocked out his fourth dinger of the campaign for a solo shot in the fourth, senior Matt Roberge (Lowell, MA) and classmate Billy Derosier (Shrewsbury, MA) notched fielder’s choice RBIs in the fifth.
Senior Anthony Iafolla (Medfield, MA) then hammered his fourth homer of the season for a two-run blast to finish off the scoring outburst for the Rams in the bottom of the sixth.
The Owls, however, took advantage of a key infield miscue in the top of the seventh and took the 7-5 lead for good. Adams started the rally by driving in sophomore Dan McCormack (Shelton, CT) with a run producing double for the first score.
Following a walk by sophomore E.G. McMillan (Hopkinton, MA), junior Tim Santilli (Southbridge, MA) put a sacrifice bunt in play. The pitcher instinctively tried to get the lead runner at third, but his throw was too high of the base and two runs dashed home on the error.
Westfield State added some insurance to help seal up the victory with a single up the middle by Adams to plate junior Jeremy Tanguay (Huntington, MA) for the 8-5 score.
Liimatainen, who was inserted into the contest immediately after the homer by Iffolla, held the Rams scoreless over his final three 2/3 innings of work. He scattered four base-knocks and fanned four to improve his record to 3-2 on the campaign.
Senior Mike Sullivan (W. Barnstable, MA) went the first 5 1/3 stanzas giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits to go with five strikeouts and two walks.
Junior Zack Kirby (Rochester, MA) was dealt the setback over 8 2/3 innings.Kirby (1-6) allowed six runs (three earned) on 10 hits as he recorded seven strikeouts and issued three free passes.
McCormack, Adams and Bishop all tallied two base-knocks each for the Owls as McWilliams and Adams drove in a pair of runs. Tanguay and McCormack also scored two runs apiece.
Roberge and Iafolla registered two hits for Framingham State as Iafolla touched home twice and he had two RBIs.
Westfield State finished with the overall 10-9 edge in hits.
