Westfield overcame a shaky first inning to defeat a strong South Orange Maplewood (SOM) team by the score of 7-3. The game was played in South Orange under the lights with Westfield as the home team because of the lack of available fields in Westfield. Westfield immediately found themselves down 3-0 before they came to bat in the bottom of the 1st inning as the South Orange batters came out swinging. Vin Difilippo settled things down and actually ended up striking out the side and then some. In all, he K'ed 4 SOM batters in the inning! -- 1 strike out victim reached first on a dropped 3rd strike.
Westfield got two runs back in their 1st at bat. Eric "Bob" Varakian drove a line drive to the fence in right center to lead things off and was held to a long single by the SOM center fielder. Chris Rinaldi followed with a line single to left and then both runners advanced on a passed ball. Varakian scored from 3rd on a hard ground out by Madman Difilippo and Rinaldi scored on a single by Nick Mele. Westfield was on the verge of adding more runs, but Devin Anderson's long fly ball was tracked down nicely by the SOM left fielder.
Vin Difilippo and the Westfield defense came back and held SOM scoreless in the 2nd. Difilippo pitched out of a jam and Westfield made a nice play on a grounder to short with the bases loaded. Rinaldi made a backhand stab on the grounder and fired to Mele at the plate who made the stretch to just nail the SOM runner. Mele then came on to pitch the 3rd and he shut down SOM batters over the next 2 innings, holding SOM batters hitless and striking out 3 in 2 very strong innings of work.
Westfield trailed 3-2 until the 4th when they scored two additional runs. Difilippo led off with a walk and then Mele and Anderson followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases. Chris "Boots" Boutsikaris and Scott Tupper each knocked in a run with an RBI ground out to put Westfield ahead 4-3.
Westfield scored 3 more runs in the bottom of the 5th to increase their lead to 7-3. Michael "Mobi" Mobarakai led off the inning and got things started with a single. Next, Tommy "Wheels" Summers put together a strong at bat, fighting off several pitches and tiring the SOM pitcher. Eric Varakian then doubled to deep right center to knock in Mobarakai. Rinaldi was hit by a pitch to put runners on 1st and 2nd and then both runners stole to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Difilippo then drove a line drive to deep right center field which was snagged on a diving catch by the SOM center fielder. Varakian and Rinaldi both tagged up. Varakian scored from 3rd easily and with the SOM center fielder leaving his feet to make the catch, Rinaldi rounded 3rd and headed for home and scored ahead of the throw. Difilippo's 2 RBI sac fly put Westfield ahead 7-3.
Boots pitched the final two innings for Westfield, holding SOM scoreless and only allowing 1 hit. The Westfield offense got contributions from the entire lineup. Varakian and Mele each had 2 hits and Difilippo had 3 RBIs. Hopper Murray added a single, while Scott Tupper laid down a perfect sac bunt to advance a runner into scoring position. Chris "Mariano" Varano had good swings and was robbed in the 2nd on a nice play by the SOM shortstop.
Westfield was without Brett "?" Robertshaw who was out of commission due to an illness. Westfield White and their fans wish Brett a speedy recovery.
Westfield plays Basking Ridge National (3:30 PM) and the Boro Bombers (6:00 PM) in double header on Wednesday at Tamaques #5.
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