Westfield Blue clinched a playoff spot in the District 12 Babe Ruth Tournament by defeating Cranford 8-4 at Booth field in Scotch Plains today. The victory was a true team effort, the result of excellent pitching, solid D, aggressive base running and lots of contact at the plate.
WB got things started in the first inning when Tyler Roth drew a walk, stole 2nd and 3rd and was driven home by a single from Rowan Oberman. Owen Colwell next belted a grounder to short. The Cranford SS made an excellent play, knocking it down and throwing from his knees to get the force on Oberman at 2nd. Colwell promptly stole bases and was driven home on a ground out by Owen Murray, putting WB up 2-0.
However, Cranford drew a few walks and hit a couple of singles in the bottom of the first to take the lead 3-2. That was to be the last time Cranford lead in this game as the WB pitching and defense held them scoreless until the bottom of the 6th when they threatened but were able to score only 1 more run.
WB’s big offensive output came in the top of 3rd. After Coach Murray told the team “We can hit this pitcher” the boys went out and did just that. Oberman led off with a single to center. Colwell followed it with a rip to right. When Cranford threw to 2nd to catch Colwell stealing, Oberman stole home. Owen Murray then advanced Colwell to 3rd and Parker Hess drove him in with a single that he managed to stretch into a triple. George Devanney Murray picked up the next RBI with a single to center that was followed by singles from Justin Lin and Justin Lankler. Roth then blasted a hard single to right driving in the last of the 6 runs WB scored in the inning.
Tyler Roth and Owen Murray handled the pitching, allowing only 4 runs against a very good Cranford team and striking out 7 along the way.
Next up in the tournament is a tough Scotch Plains team on Tuesday.
Roth delivers a strike
Murray fires one in
Words of Wisdom from Coach Murray
The 3rd inning rally:
(The photographer apologizes for the shakiness of these clips but he was shooting from 200ft away through a fence. Also, the sun was in his eyes and the dog ate his homework.)
Oberman starts it off
Colwell rips a single
Hess turns single to triple
Devanney Murray blasts a single to center
Lin singles to extend rally
Lankler hustles one out
Roth rips to right for RBIs
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