Westfield Offense Comes Alive Against Scotch Plains

Westfield's offense erupted for 13 runs and their pitching was stellar in a 13-2 win against Scotch Plains in an NJASBL game.

Scotch Plains scored in the top of the 1st inning courtesy of 2 hits and a hit batsman. Westfield pitcher Nick Mele settled down and got out of the jam allowing just the single run. Mele pitched the 2nd and retired all 3 batters in order, getting some help from Hopper Murray who made an outstanding catch in right field on a sinking line drive.

Westfield's offense got started in the bottom half of the 1st inning when Eric Varakian and Chris Rinaldi opened up with back-to-back singles. Varakian scored on a Mele RBI single to tie the game at 1-1 but that was all White could score in the inning. Westfield scored 3 more in the 2nd to take a 4-1 lead. Chris Boutsikaris led off with a single and stole 2nd Brett Robertshaw singled to put runners on 1st and 3rd. Robertshaw quickly stole 2nd and both runners scored on double off of the bat of Hopper "The Hawk" Murray. Murray advanced to 3rd on a Chris Varano single and scored on an RBI sac fly by Scott Tupper.

Robertshaw came on in relief of Mele and get Scotch Plains off balance by changing speeds and moving the ball around. In 3 innings of work, Robertshaw held Scotch Plains to a single run on 4 hits and no walks.

Westfield blew the game open in the bottom of the 4th, batting around and scoring 9 times. Boutsikaris, Robertshaw and Murray started the rally with consecutive walks to load the bases. With 1 out and no runs in, Scott Tupper and Tommy Summers battled in tough at bats and came through with RBI walks. Varakian then hit a hard shot to short which took a tough hop and Scotch Plains could not make a play. Chris Rinaldi followed with a 3 run double down the left field line to clear the bases. Difilippo walked and Devin Anderson's RBI single allowed Rinaldi to score. Boutsikaris' 2nd at bat in the inning resulted in a fly ball to right which the Scotch Plains right fielder could not handle and Difilippo scored on the play. Brett Robertshaw's 2nd single of the game was the final hit of the inning.

Westfield held Scotch Plains in the top of the 5th and the game was called early due to the 10 run rule.

Westfield plays next on Sunday at 10:00 AM in Warren against the winner of the South Orange Maplewood / Warren game.