New Kid on the Block ROCKS!

Saturday June 27, 2009

Westfield Blue won the first round of the District Tournament today in Warren against Scotch Plains in the bottom of the seventh inning when new player Steven Barmakian bombed it out to center field bringing home Rowan Oberman to break the tie and win the game 3-2.

Justin Lin started off the game strong as our opening pitcher. The exciting play of the inning, however, was the throw from Owen Colwell to George Devanney-Murray at homeplate to make the tag and prevent the run. Westfield Blue got it started at bat
with a hit from Tyler Roth. Steven Barmakian brought him home with a beautiful hit. 1-0 Westfield.

The second inning was non-eventful baseball with good fielding by Westfield and good pitching by Scotch Plains. Westfield still ahead 1-0.

The top of the third inning ended quickly with a terrific catch by Daniel Criscuolo in right field. Tyler Roth had a double with a ground ball to left field. Rowan Oberman followed right behind him with another excellent grounder to left field bringing Tyler home and taking himself to second base. Steven Barmakian got on first with another big hit to left field but no more runs came in that inning. Westfield. 2-0.

Rowan Oberman took over as pitcher in the fourth inning and made the first out with a play to first base. Thanks go to Justin Lankler, second baseman, for fielding the second out. Scotch Plains scored their first run after a couple of walks but Rowan Oberman quickly rebounded to make the third out and end the inning. Westfield 2-1.

While George Devanney Murray started Westfield off strong in the bottom of the fourth with a nice pop up, Scotch Plains’ pitching dominated over the next three batters.

Top of the fifth. Rowan Oberman is still at the mound and going strong. First batter hits a grounder to Tyler Roth at short stop-OUT at first! Second batter hits a grounder to Rowan-OUT at first! Third batter hits a nice flyball to centerfield and gets on base. You think Owen Murray is going to let that happen again-NO WAY! Fourth batter hits another fly ball to center field-OUT! Beautiful catch by number 12. Good efforts were made by the next group of Westfield batters but no runs. Westfield still winning 2-1.

Top of the sixth. Pressure on to get the three outs and win the game. Justin Lin makes an excellent play at first to claim the first out. Second batter is walked. The third batter, however, hits a nice flyball to centerfield and brings in a run. Tie Game! The fourth batter has a successful bunt and gets to first base. Tensions are high but Westfield turns it on and makes a plays at home preventing another run and Tyler Roth finishes out the inning with the third out.

Bottom of the sixth. Owen Murray-good contact with the bat but out at first. George Murray-good contact but out at first. Justin Lankler- beautiful hit to center field and gets on base. [Very proud mother!] Unfortunately, the inning comes to end without any runs and we are heading into extra innings.

Top of the seventh inning. Rowan will close the game as pitcher. First batter is walked but Audrey says they can do it. Second batter hits the ball but is no match for Owen Colwell who makes an excellent play to fits base. OUT #1. Third batter has a pop up to short stop Tyler Roth-OUT #2. But wait, Tyler Roth side arm throw to Colwell at second base-OUT #3.

Bottom of the seventh. Owen Brancatella gives it a valiant effort but unfortunately strikes out. Tyler Roth hits a tremendous flyball to left field but Scotch Plains makes the catch. Rowan Oberman hits a ground ball to short stop but the ball is overthrown and Rowan takes second base. Drum roll please-New kid on the block Steven Barmakian takes the plate and bombs it out to centerfield and brings Oberman home for the win.

Did I mention how cute the coaches looked in their uniforms?

Game Recap by Beth Lankler

Roth lead off single

Barmakian scores Roth for 1st RBI

Roth doubles down LF line

Oberman drives in Roth for 2nd RBI

Lankler singles in 6th

Oberman beats one out in 7th

Barmakian walk off blast in 7th