Westfield State Takes Two From Baseball
Framingham, Mass. — Senior outfielder Jeff Fields (Pittsfield, Mass.) racked up five hits, four runs scored and two RBI as the Westfield State College baseball team swept Framingham State in a Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader this afternoon at Framingham’s Bowditch Field. The Owls won the first game by a score of 8-3 and won the nightcap 13-1. With the two wins, the Owls improve to 18-7 overall and 4-2 in the MASCAC, while the Rams even their record at 14-14 overall and move to 5-3 in conference.
In the first game, Westfield State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Jeff Ackerman (Beverly, Mass.) scampered in from third on an infield single by Pete Grillo (Shrewsbury, Mass.). The Owls extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third as Fields and designated hitter Kevin Lyons (Braintree, Mass.) hit back-to-back singles with one out. Ben Campbell (Easthampton, Mass.) followed with a grounder to short that looked like a double play ball but after the Rams got the out at second the throw to first sailed high allowing Fields to score an unearned run.
The Owls added three more runs in the fifth on and RBI double from Lyons, and RBI singles by Fields and Campbell to take a 5-0.
In the bottom of the inning, the Rams picked up two runs to cut the Owls lead to 5-2. Junior Corey Ketterer (Plymouth, Mass.) singled to left driving home Joe Sheehan (Burlington, Mass.) with the Rams first run and shortstop Justin Wojcik (Dracut, Mass.) scored from second on a failed pickoff attempt.
Both teams added single runs in the sixth inning and Westfield State added two more in the ninth to reach the final margin of 8-3. Senior Jesse Vermeersch (Marlborough, Mass.) went five innings for the Owls allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts. Joe Quinn (Assonet, Mass.) was tagged with the loss for the Rams as he went 4.2 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits.
Fields went 3-for-3 in game one with two runs scored and an RBI, while Grillo, Lyons and Campbell picked up two hits apiece. The Rams were led by junior Sean Callahan (Watertown, Mass.) who went 3-for-3 in the game with a double.
With the score tied 1-1 after three innings of game two, the Owls offense erupted for eight runs in the fourth inning to open up a comfortable lead. Westfield State would add two runs in the fifth and sixth to reach the final score of 13-1.
Lyons went 1-for-3 in game two with a two run homerun, while Grillo chipped in two hits and three runs scored and Fields added two hits and two runs scored.
Westfield State starting pitcher Tymon (Brimfield, Mass.) picked up the win going six innings allowing one unearned run on just three hits with three strikeouts. Wojcik picked up the loss for the Rams allowing eight runs (five earned) in 3.2 innings. Sheehan went 1-for-3 in game two with an RBI for the Rams.
The Rams return to action on Wednesday as they host Elms College at 3 p.m., while the Owls travel to Bridgewater State on Tuesday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.