Westfield Blue tops Cranford 14-4 in Clark Tournament

Solid pitching along with abundant offense allowed Westfield Blue to win its first game in the Clark Tournament today in 5 innings via the 10 run “mercy” rule. Tyler Roth pitched 3 scoreless innings, striking out 6 batters along the way. Owen Colwell pitched the 4th and 5th adding 3 more Ks to the scorecard.

Roth pitching

The offense started out slow and built as the game progressed. Things got started in the 1st when Colwell and Owen Murray both beat out infield hits and used aggressive base running to score. Daniel Criscuolo, Liam Loughlin and Parker Hess all got hits in the 2nd to tack on another run. The theme continued in third with Rowan Oberman and Colwell both singling, stealing and scoring to add 2 more runs making the score Westfield 5 – Cranford 0 after 3.

With heavy storm clouds overhead and rain threatening, it looked like the game might not continue. However, the sky began to clear in a few minutes and when it did, the Westfield offense really took over. Justin Lin and Loughlin started it off with singles and were driven in by a double from Hess. Roth and Owen Brancatella also singled and one more run was added on a deep drive to left center by Colwell. Westfield 8, Cranford 2 after 4.

In the 5th, Justin Lankler started it off with a walk, followed by hits from Lin, Loughlin, Will Stern, Hess and Roth adding 4 more runs. When Oberman doubled to left to drive in 2 more, the 10 run mercy rule was invoked ending the game.

Westfield played solid defense throughout the game with several exceptional plays. In the 2nd inning, Cranford hit a sharp ground ball down the line past first base. Loughlin fielded the ball in right, quickly relayed it in to Lin at first who threw to Colwell to get the runner out at 3rd. In the 5th, a slow bouncing grounder was hit to short and Roth charged, barehanded the ball and rifled it to first to get the out.

Loughlin after fielding ball in right

Colwell catches and tags out runner

For the player’s perspective on the game, we spoke with George Devanney Murray during and after the game. George offered up a detailed and insightful analysis of the game too lengthy to be published in full here. We asked him if he could distill his thoughts down to say 20 to 25 words and he offered this response:



The shortened game allowed Westfield a little time to rest before the 2nd game of today’s double header against Livingston.