WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Justin Parr (North
Attleboro) was 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI, and Jeff Fields
(Pittsfield) pitched a strong seven innings to lead Westfield State
to a 5-2 victory over Bridgewater State in the Massachusetts State
College Athletics Conference (MASCAC) Tournament.
The victory vaulted the Owls (22-14-1) into the championship round
vs. Worcester State, which defeated Westfield, 6-1, earlier in the
day. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, at 12:00
at Westfield State.
Worcester State is the lone unbeaten team in the double elimination
tournament; therefore, the Owls would have to beat the Lancers
twice on Sunday to defend their tournament title. Westfield and
Worcester shared the MASCAC regular season crown with 9-5
records.
Fields scattered four hits over seven innings in silencing the
Bears. The crafty sophomore right hander allowed one earned run and
two walks and struck out five. Sophomore Dave Glass, also from
Pittsfield High School, threw the final two innings for the
Owls.
Westfield scored two runs in the first inning with two outs and
bases empty. Kevin Lyons walked and Ben Wagner singled up the
middle. Parr followed with an RBI single, then Mike Trachtenberg
lined an RBI double down the left field line.
Westfield made the score 3-0 in the second inning on a sacrifice
fly by Scott McIntyre. Bridgewater dented the scoreboard in the
third on an RBI single by senior standout Steve Smith.
The Owls made it 5-1 in the fifth inning on a two-out, two-run
double by Parr.
Bridgewater mounted a scoring threat in the eighth when Steve
Lambert lined a double, but Trachtenberg made a sensational diving
catch in right-center field on a shot by Smith to end the
inning.
Westfield out-hit Bridgewater, 10-6. Leadoff batter Brad King was 2
for 3 and Trachtenberg was 2 for 4 with a double and RBI.
Lambert and Kelly LaDow both belted a double and single for the Bears.