Dedham 7, Norwood 3: Friendly fire

Observing the intensity between the Dedham and Norwood American Legion baseball teams from afar, which included Dedham’s first base coach being ejected after just one batter last night, one might think that the rivalry extends off the field as well.

But being longtime friends who both work and live in Norwood, Post 70 manager Paul Samargedlis and Post 18 manager Dave Brown wish the best for each other’s teams. So regardless of the outcome, the two managers will still likely end up going out for a drink after the game.

But for the second straight year Samargedlis will have to live with the fact that Dedham got the best of Norwood. Mike Reardon pitched a complete game, four-hitter to lead Post 18 to a 7-3 win last night at Peter Wall Field in Norwood and clinch the season series for Dedham.

 “I don’t like beating him at all. I want him to do well and he wants me to do well,” said Brown. “I’d rather beat everybody else but if you have to win you have to win and we needed this one.”

Post 18 greatly improved their playoff hopes with the victory, improving to 5-5-1, four points out of the final playoff spot in District 6 West, and they have won two straight against Post 70 to clinch the season series 2-1. Norwood slips to 12-5 but remains in first place, six points ahead of second place Westwood.

“That was one of the better coaching jobs I’ve seen out of Dave,” said Samargedlis. “They out-hustled us and they out-competed us. That should not happen. They only had nine guys when the game started but those nine out-played us.”

Wednesday’s rainout enabled Samargedlis to use ace Chris Pinette but the right-hander did not have his best stuff and was victimized by four unearned runs. Reardon, meanwhile, had little trouble with Post 70 striking out seven and walking three while giving up more than one hit in just one inning.

 If not for the heavy fog hovering over the field all game, Reardon may have tossed a shutout as Norwood’s three runs came on a two-out bases clearing double in the second inning by Sean Keady that fell between the shortstop, left fielder and center fielder that likely would’ve been caught if not for the rough conditions.

 Trailing 3-0 in the top of the third, Dedham got on the scoreboard courtesy of a bloop single over second base by Devan Jones scoring Mac Jacobson from second.

Post 18 took the lead in the fourth. With a runner on first and no outs, Norwood botched what looked like a sure double play ball to put runners on first and second. Drew LoRusso followed with a double down the left field line scoring Reardon and making it 3-2. With runners on second and third, Andrew Bishop singled up the middle plating Dan Riley and LoRusso for a 4-3 advantage.

 Jacobson led off the fifth with a single and Jones followed with a double to score him on a close play at the plate. Post 70 tried to get Jones going for third base on the play but the throw sailed into left field enabling him to score and giving Dedham a 6-3 lead.

 That chased Pinette who went four-plus innings yielding six hits, six runs (two earned) with five strikeouts and no walks. He was relieved by Brandon Davis and Post 18 tacked on another run in the inning when LoRusso singled to left to score Reardon for a 7-3 lead.

 That would be more than enough for Reardon, who sat down six of the final seven batters he faced in the last two innings.

 “It was a big win,” said Brown. “Norwood is in first place, playing at their home field with their best pitcher on the mound, probably one of the best pitchers in the district, and our guy Mike Reardon threw a hell of a game…It means a little more to him because he’s from Norwood too and now’s he’s beaten them twice this season.”

 Dedham will host a doubleheader against Canton tonight while Norwood hosts Medfield today before playing rival Walpole in the annual Fourth of July game tomorrow.

 “I don’t mind getting beat, especially against a team that played as well as Dedham did tonight, but going forward we can’t lose games because we’re getting out-hustled,” said Samargedlis.