Chris Varano often speaks and walks softly, but he usually carries a very big stick and tonight was no exception. Varano went 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored and he blasted a solo home run to deep right center field in tonight's 9-6 win over Matawan in a Cal Ripken state tournament game. While Varano was inflicting damage with his bat, Vincent Difilippo was overpowering Matawan hitters with his arm. Difilippo threw 5 strong innings holding Matawan to 4 runs, some of which were unearned.
Westfield took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st when Eric Varakian, Chris Rinaldi and Difilippo walked. With 1 out, Devin Anderson drew an RBI walk to drive in the 1st run. It looked like Westfield would break the game open, but Matawan recorded a double play on a hard liner to the shortstop to stop the rally. Matawan scored 1 run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 1, but Difilippo battled out of the inning and he was helped with a nice back hand play in the hole by shortstop Rinaldi.
Westfield's offense went right back to work in the 2nd when the lead off hitter in the inning, Chris Varano sent a 1-0 offering to deep right center field for a home run. Varano was mobbed by his teammates as he crossed the plate. Matawan responded immediately though and they scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd to take a 3-2 lead.
Difilippo started more scoring for Westfield in the 3rd when he led off with a walk. Nick Mele followed with a hard grounder that was misplayed and then both players stole to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Difilippo scored on Devin Anderson's RBI ground out. Chris Boutsikaris followed with a walk and then Mele scored on a wild pitch. Varano then came up an RBI single, his 2nd of 3 hits on the day, to drive in Boutsikaris. Westfield now led 5-3. Matawan would not quit though and they pulled within one in the bottom of the 3rd inning on 2 hits and some aggressive base running.
Neither team scored in the 4th, but Westfield extended the lead to 6-4 in the 5th on another Varano hit -- this time with 2 out and no one on -- and a huge RBI double off of the bat of Michael Mobarakai.
Westfield then added 3 more runs in the top of the 6th. Tommy Summers led off the inning with a hard line single up the middle. Chris Rinaldi singled and both runners stole bases to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Summers got a great jump off of 3rd on a hard smash to the Matawan 1st baseman from Difilippo and he beat the 1st baseman's throw to the plate. Nick Mele then hit a long fly ball to deep center which Rinaldi tagged up on and scored from 3rd base. Difilippo advanced to 2nd on the play and then stole 3rd. He later scored on an RBI groundout from Anderson.
Chris Boutsikaris came on in relief in the 6th inning and Matawan began to rally but 2 nice defensive plays at 2nd base by Chris Varano took the steam out of Matawan. Boutsikaris made a great diving catch on a short pop up in front of the mound for the final out.
Game notes...Varano had 3 hits, Rinaldi had 2 and Mobarakai and Summers each added hits. Difilippo only walked one batter in his 5 innings. Hopper Murray and Nick Mele both made very nice running catches on fly balls to the outfield and Mele and Anderson were strong behind the plate. Eric Varakian made two very strong plays at 2nd base.
Westfield next plays Hillsborough on Saturday at 11:30 AM in the State tournament which is being hosted in Hillsborough.
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