Explosive Bats equal Big Win

In a shortened five inning game last night, Westfield fans watched as their team reached double digits in both base hits and runs scored. A total of 18 hits and 21 runs were recorded by the Blue Devils as they beat Dunellen by a score of 21-6.

The game was actually pretty tight through the first 3 innings as Dunellen scored one run the top of the first and Westfield's offense was slow to get going. Tommy Summers pitched 2 strong innings allowing just 3 hits and the 1 run. Ethan Smith helped out again defensively (remember that diving catch against SPF the other day) on a deep shot out to centerfield that he glided back on and snagged. Summers also alertly picked a Dunellen base runner off of 3rd for the final out of the 2nd inning.

The game was quiet until the bottom of the 2nd when Brett Robertshaw started things with a double to left. Chris Boutsikaris followed with an RBI triple and scored on a Dunellen error. Chris Rinaldi added a single to left center, and stole 2nd, 3rd and home making the score 3-1 in favor of Westfield after 2 innings. Dunellen came right back in the 3rd adding 5 runs on a combination of hits and walks. Eric Varakian was brought in to pitch with the base loaded and shut down the scoring threat by striking out 2 of the next 3 batters. He kept Dunellen scoreless in the fourth allowing just 1 hit and striking out 2 more batters.

Westfield's offense got in gear starting in the third. Summers reached base on a Dunellen error, Scott Tupper singled to center, and Ethan Smith and Hopper Murray each hit RBI singles. Devin Anderson beat out an infield hit to short (RBI) and Brett Robertshaw added an RBI with a fielders choice groundout to short. The fourth inning saw the offense really take off scoring a total of 10 runs. Varakian led off getting hit by a pitch, Rinaldi singled to left , Nick Mele blasted a RBI double to right center, and Summers and Tupper walked to load the bases. Ethan Smith was hit by a pitch, Hopper Murray singled, Chris Varano walked and Devin Anderson hit a single to left that scored 2 more runs. Brett Robertshaw added an infield single and Chris Boutsikaris launched a triple (his 2nd of the game) out to right center that cleared the bases.

Ethan Smith pitch a scoreless fifth and recorded 1 strikeout. Westfield came back to the plate and continued where they left off. Vin Difilippo and Nick Mele started things with singles and Summers was hit by a pitch. Ethan Smith added a 2 RBI hit to right, Hopper Murray walked and Devin Anderson added his 3rd hit of the night, sending 2 more runners across the plate. (Anderson finished the night with 5 RBIs.) At this point, Westfield was leading by 15 runs and the game was stopped.

Westfield is scheduled to play in the Cranford Tournament at 1:30 today. Let's hope the rain holds up.