On a balmy night under the lights in Warren, Westfield Blue played its third game in the Babe Ruth District Tournament. Westfield’s opponent? A familiar and very solid Cranford team. Players and coaches were focused and a well-played game ensued.
Southpaw Rowan Oberman got the nod for Westfield. After retiring the first two batters in the top of the first, Cranford followed an infield miscue with a walk and a single to load the bases. Cranford’s #6 hitter then hit a sharp grounder to short. This was the second of many balls during the night that bounced around like pinballs! Tyler made a courageous play on this bad-hop single and took the ball off his chest. One run scored, but Tyler was able to throw behind the runner rounding third. Owen C. quickly relayed the throw to George who blocked the plate and applied the tag – Out! Rally over.
Cranford sent a flame thrower to the hill to start the game – #4 Donahue. The Westfield bats were not intimidated. Batting second, Rowan lined a single between short and third to get Westfield going. This was Rowan’s first of three hard line drives on the evening in perhaps the toughest 1 for 3 of the season. His second and third line drives were snagged by the shortstop and the pitcher in the third and the fifth innings. Steven B. followed with a sharp ground ball up the middle that scooted past the center fielder for a double. Rowan scored on the hit to tie the game. Score after 1: Westfield 1 – Cranford 1.
With three nice plays by Tyler and Daniel on sharply hit ground balls, Cranford was retired 1, 2, 3 in the top of the second. Owen M. and Daniel walked in the bottom half of the frame. Owen manufactured Westfield’s only run in the inning by stealing second, stealing third and then scoring on the catcher’s throwing error. Score after 2: Westfield 2 – Cranford 1.
Cranford struck again with two outs and nobody on in the third. The #3 hitter singled and the #4 hitter walked. Smith, Cranford’s #5 hitter, hit another bad hop single to drive in a run. Bramley then singled to drive in Cranford’s second run of the inning.
Westfield was retired with no runs and only Parker’s hit-by-pitch (not to worry, he’s fine) in the third. Score after 3: Cranford 3 – Westfield 2.
Tyler relieved Rowan in the fourth. He was welcomed by Comer’s leadoff “bomb” to right center field. Those of us on the bench heard Coach Murray yell “go get it,” presumably off the ground at the base of the fence. But Owen B got a great jump on the ball, and despite a near collision with Steven, made an outstanding diving grab of this would be extra-base hit. This reporter was very surprised to see that this catch did not make ESPN’s Web Gems this morning…certain that Mr. Oberman would have already submitted the video! Tyler subsequently held Cranford to one base runner, who was also hit by a pitch. Tyler recorded one strikeout in the inning.
Coach Norton’s son toed the rubber in the fourth for Cranford. Westfield welcomed him with three hits and two runs to take the lead. With one out, Owen C. hit a sharp ground ball up the middle for a single. He stole second and then moved to third on a wild pitch. Following another wild pitch, Owen accomplished his “on, off, on again” steal of home when the catcher threw wildly to the pitcher covering the dish. Owen Murray then singled, stole second and scored on Tyler’s rbi single. Score after 4: Westfield 4 – Cranford 3.
Cranford broke the game open in the fifth. Their #3 hitter worked out a leadoff walk and then stole second. #4 lined his second single to knock in a run. #5 followed with his second bad hop single of the day. With two men on, Cranford’s Seekeres launched a triple to right field to score two runs. Seekeres subsequently scored on a wild pitch.
Hoping to answer, Westfield was retired in the fifth after just one hit – a line drive double by Steven who finished the night 2 for 3. Score after 5: Cranford 7 – Westfield 4.
Cranford posted an insurance run in the sixth. Westfield threatened in the bottom half with a single by George and a walk by Owen M, but two fine defensive plays by Cranford dashed any hopes for a Westfield comeback. Final score: Cranford 8 - Westfield 4.
Game Recap by Steven Criscuolo
Oberman singles in 1st
Barmakian RBI rip
O Murray steals Home
Colwell singles before stealing 2nd,3rd & Home
O Murray singles
Roth RBI single
Devanney-Murray starts off 6th with 1B
OB's amazing catch (the real one was even better!)
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