Westfield edged by Bridgewater Nationals

Westfield White opened the 2009 with an exciting, extra inning, 4-3 loss to a feisty Bridgewater Nationals team. Eric Varakian, Nick Mele and Hopper Murray combined to limit Bridgewater to 6 hits over 7 innings while striking out 4. The pitching was very solid, but Bridgewater was able to work some free passes and their batters delivered some timely hits to get their runs across.

Westfield's offense was slow to get off the ground and they were only able to manage 3 base runners and no runs through 4 innings. In the 5th they scored a run when Mele hit a hard single up the middle and then Hopper Murray and Devin Anderson walked to load the bases. With 2 outs, Brett Robertshaw worked a walk to force Mele home. Michael Mobarakai followed with a hard liner that looked like it was headed to right center field to clear the bases, but the Bridgewater 2nd baseman made a great leaping grab to deny Westfied additional runs.

Westfield was down 3-1 as they hit in the bottom of the 6th and they rallied for 2 more runs. Tommy Summers started the inning with a lead off walk, he stole 2nd and then came around to score on an RBI single by Chris Rinaldi. Vin Difilipo and Mele walked to load the bases and with 2 outs Devin Anderson then worked a walk to force in the tying run. Scott Tupper followed with a hard ground ball to deep short that looked like it might be a hit, but the Bridgewater shortstop made a strong play to nip Tupper at 1st for the final out.

Bridgewater scored 1 run in the top half of the 7th. Chris Varano led of the 7th with a single and was sacrificed over to 2nd via a good bunt by Murray. Varano then stole 3rd but was not able to score before Bridgewater recorded the final out.

Westfield plays Basking Ridge next at home on Monday, 6/15 at 6PM.