The last time the Westwood High baseball team faced Bellingham, the Wolverines were denied taking their first step toward the tournament. Yesterday, against the Blackhawks, they took their last.
Westwood avenged its opening-day loss to Bellingham with a 6-1 victory that booked their spot in the Division 3 South draw, improving to 10-8 overall and 10-6 in the Tri-Valley League.
“It’s nice, but we want to get to 12,” said Westwood coach Brian Whalen, whose team wraps up the regular season next week with games against Holliston and Millis. “But we knew first we have to get to 11. We are going to take next week seriously, we are not going to just lay up.”
John Sheehan pitched a complete game for the win, allowing just an unearned run in the fourth, while Casey Criss blasted his first varsity home run, a two-run shot that capped a pivotal three-run fifth.
Brian Morante’s RBI double in the first put the Wolverines on top and Westwood added a pair in the third on run scoring singles from Sheehan and Dave Milano.
After Bellingham cut the edge to 3-1, Westwood added to the cushion in the fifth. Singles by Sean Grandfield and Andy Musto set up a Justin Kucher sacrifice fly and Criss brought home two more with a big two-out homer.
That was plenty for Sheehan, who allowed just five hits and a walk while striking out seven.
The Blackhawks put their power bats on display in sending the Wolverines to their third straight loss as Westwood falls to 10-8 overall and 8-8 in the TVL.
Bellingham jumped out to a 4-0 lead through three innings then broke open a two-run game with four runs in the fifth and three in the sixth. Of the Blackhawks 12 hits, seven were for extra bases, including three fence-clearing home runs.
“They were really hitting the ball,” said Westwood coach Brendan Dillon. “They are the best hitting team we have seen in four or five years.”
Westwood countered with just two hits, scoring single runs in the fourth and fifth, Kelly McCarthy singled in the fourth and came home on a Lauren Hillberg ground out while Christine McGrail, who had the other Wolverine hit, plated C.J. Kenney with a ground out in the fifth.
Casey Butler pitched a gem in the circle and had a huge day at the plate to keep the Bears slim tourney hopes alive at 5-10. The Bears must win all five of their remaining games to qualify.
Butler went 4-for-4 with four RBI, including a two-run home run in the fourth, while pitching a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts. Katherine Connors gave her some offensive support, knocking in two runs with a pair of hits.
Four Wolverines registered a hat trick as the Wolverines officially locked up sole possession of the Tri-Valley League title and stayed unbeaten at 16-0-1 on the season.
Erin Massimi pumped in five goals while Alex Frank (3 goals, 6 assists) and Kelly Rich (3 goals, 5 assists) had big days offensively. Jess Lesage added three goals as well while Megan Lally, Misha Beatty and Mary Laughna all had single scores.
The quartet of Beatty, Joan O’Neill, Katie Sullivan-Trainor and Anna Lentz were outstanding defensively in front of Abbie Brown, who made seven saves in the cage.
The Rockets pulled away after a close first half, dropping the Mustangs to 12-6-1 with one regular season contest left against Dedham Monday.
Norwood was within 6-4 late in the first and 9-5 at the half, but a physical Needham team that knocked out three Mustang starters out of the game at various points — Liz Greeley, Katie Welter and Sam Vilaboa — used six straight goals to run up a 10-3 edge in the second half.
“They are definitely a skilled team, there is a reason why they are in the top seven or so in the state,” said Norwood coach Shawn Famiglietti. “They finished their fast break chances a lot better than we did.”
Greeley led the way with three goals and an assist while Christine McKay had two goals and two assists. Welter, Katherine Millin and Carly Chubet all chipped in goals as well.
Chris Rodenbush and Matt White had the only Westwood goals in the Wolverines defeat, dropping them back under .500 at 8-9 overall, 6-7 in the Tri-Valley League.
Jay Whalen made 14 saves in the Westwood cage to keep his squad in the contest.
“We played better defense and cleared the ball well,” said Westwood coach Dave Evans. “Jay played tough in the cage, the only goals they had were point blank.”
The Wolverines need to win two of their last three games to qualify for the postseason and visit Abington on Monday in a non-league game.
After a year absence, the Hawks are back in the postseason with yesterday’s win over the Warriors.
Andrew Carney and Nick Koechel provided the clinching pointing three sets at second doubles, edging Tom Shields and Matt Connelly 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. It was one of two three-setters to go the Hawks’ way as Brandon Seppe prevailed 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 over Alex Karasiotes.
Josh Jackson was Xaverian’s other winner with a 6-4, 6-4 win at first singles.
The Rebels moved to 11-5 on the season while keeping the Mustangs winless with a sweep of their rival yesterday.
Ben Lennon and A.J. Amichetti prevailed in the day’s closest match, a 6-4, 6-1 win over Mike Maygar and Theo Tran. Chris Johnson (6-1, 6-0), Mike Flaherty (6-1, 6-1) and Adam Riegel (6-2, 6-2) earned their first singles victory while Matt Fuller picked up a win in his frist varsity match, joining with Billy Heanue for a 6-1, 6-1 win at second doubles.
A pair of Bears picked up varsity firsts as Ursuline moved to 8-3 on the season yesterday.
Lane Kelleher won her debut, pairing with Kate Hallet for an 8-4 pro-set win at first doubles. Kaitlyn McGree was victorious in her first singles match in dramatic fashion taking a 7-5 tiebreaker for an 8-7 win.
Alicia Cauteruccio blanked her opponent at first singles while Carolyn Palumbo-Hayes and Colleen McGauley grabbed an 8-6 decision at second doubles.
