A "split" Saturday

Westfield started the day with an impressive 11-1 win over Scotch Plains Blue in their first Ripken District tournament game. The Blue Devils balanced 12 hit attack included doubles by Devin Anderson, Vince Difilippo, Nick Mele and Eric Varakian. Chris Boutsikaris and Scott Tupper were each 2 for 3. Hopper Murray, Ethan Smith, Brett Robertshaw and Chris Varano chipped in with base hits, with Varano's hit providing the 10 run cushion and ending the game in the fourth inning . The pitching was shared by Vincent "D" and Scottie "T" throwing 2 innings each and limiting Scotch Plains to 4 hits and 1 run.

In the nightcap at the Cranford Tournament, Cranford jumped out to a 6 -0 lead in the first inning with some solid hits. Westfield scored a run in the fourth and added two in the 5th to make it 6-3. With the bases loaded for Westfield in the 6th, Cranford brought on their closer who recorded two strikeouts to end the rally and preserve the victory for the Cougars.

Cranford's pitching was strong throughout the game, recording 11 strikeouts. The highlights for Westfield included solid relief pitching by Hopper Murray who pitched 4 shutout innings. Sound outfield play by Ethan Smith, Tom Summers and Scott Tupper kept the Cranford offense in check while Westfield attempted to get back in the game. Chris Rinaldi nearly recorded a triple play in the second inning. With runners on 1st and 2nd, he fielded a grounder at short, tagged the runner off second and stepped on the bag to record the force out before firing to first as the runner barely beat the throw.

The loss was the first for Westfield (2-1) in the Cranford tournament. Sunday is another double header with a Ripken District Tournament game against South Orange-Maplewood at 10 AM and a key contest against Scotch Plains in the Cranford tournament at 3 PM.