Owls Rally Early to Take Game One Against Anna Maria, 10-6

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State senior Chase Racine (Pittsfield, Mass.) belted the go-ahead three-run double in the second inning to put the Owls in front where they would maintain the lead throughout the rest of the game as part of a 10-6 victory over Anna Maria in a MASCAC game from Hagan Field on Friday afternoon.

The Owls win their fifth consecutive conference game and third straight overall, improving to 5-4 in the MASCAC and 8-16 on the season. Westfield hands the AMCATS just their second conference loss of the season, dropping to 18-8 overall and 8-2 in the league.

Westfield was forced to come from behind after Anna Maria tallied three runs in the second inning. After two quick outs to begin the frame, the next five AMCATS batters reached base including a pair of RBI hits from Andrew Denison and Brady Aylward. Two defensive miscues also allowed an additional run to score.

The Owls quickly answered in the home half of the frame, with Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.) working a walk with the bases loaded to plate the first run. With two outs and the bases still full, Racine delivered a clutch two-out hit, clearing the bases by driving a fly ball out to centerfield which was off the outstretched diving glove of Denison as the Owls took a 4-3 lead.

Senior reliever Quinn Gallagher (Dalton, Mass.) posted two scoreless frames in the third and fourth innings, then Ryan Peters (Billerica, Mass.) hung a zero in the fifth frame, allowing the Owls to increase their lead in the bottom of the inning on a passed ball which plated Colin Ryan (Chelmsford, Mass.).

Peters stranded a runner at third base in the sixth inning by forcing a groundout to Kaen Smith (Washingtonville, N.Y.), then the Owls increased their lead again by registering a crooked number. Palmer deposited a one-out single into center, then after an AMCATS error, Racine was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Ryan followed and sent an opposite field fly ball into right, deep enough to score Palmer for a three-run lead.

A pair of two-out hits pushed the lead to six runs with Alex Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) blistering a line drive into centerfield, then Tyler Pegram (Fountain, N.C.) beat out an infield hit with both runners coming home on an errant throw as Westfield took a 9-3 lead into the latter three innings.

Anna Maria chipped away at the deficit in the seventh and eighth innings with Avery Acuna connecting for a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The AMCATS put two runners on in the eighth and got two runs in the inning to trim the Owls lead to three runs before the Owls turned to closer AJ Moore (Long Beach, Calif.) who left two men on base by getting a ground out to end the inning.

TJ May (North Granby, Conn.) tacked on an insurance run for Westfield in the ninth with a one-out single into centerfield, scoring Martin to crack double digits in the scoring column. Moore put the finishing touches on the win by retiring the side in order, punctuating the win with a strikeout.

Martin and Connor Benvenuto (New City, N.Y.) each recorded three hits while the top seven hitters in the order each recorded at least one hit.

Denison, Mason Kolczewski, and Jaiden Driscoll all had multi-hit efforts for the AMCATS.

Gallagher (W, 1-0) picked up the win for Westfield after two scoreless innings as the first reliever out of the bullpen. Peters piggybacked with three strong innings, giving up just one run on one hit with four strikeouts. Moore earned a four-out save for his second save of the season.

Sean O'Hara (L, 3-3) got the start for Anna Maria after three innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits with three walks and four punchouts.

The series between the Owls and AMCATS continue tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 P.M. from Marlborough High School.