WILDCAT WEEKLY

6-11-09, Weston- The Weston Little League National League Cubs defeated the Rockies 18-0, last Thursday at Burchard Park. The win extends the Cubs undefeated season, giving them sole possession of first place, with a 13-0 record, in the race for the National League Championship. The Cubs jumped out to a quick start, going up 2-0 in the first, on a lead-off double by Cub Robert Ivey and a Seve Tocci walk to first. "I think we are doing decently well this year," said Cub AJ Barry.
"Coach still wants us to work on our focus," said Cub Tim Goode.

At the top of the second the Cubs would pick up two more runs, then in the third go up 6-0. The Rockies would almost rally back to cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third, when Rockie Tom Dell'Erario, with Brendan McGinty on first, hit a two-out snare to left, putting runners on first and second. Unfortunately, the inning ended with an out before the Rockies, stranding both runners, could complete the rally. 

In the top of the fourth the Cubs went on an offensive surge. Zack Janfaza took first on a walk, then stole second.  AJ Barry got hit with a pitch, Janfaza stole third and Barry took second.  On a wild pitch Janfaza crossed home, scoring a run and Barry took third. With one out, Cub Tim Goode took first on a walk and Robert Ivey hit a chopper to third, scoring Barry, but taking the out at first. With the score 8-0 and two outs, Cub Seve Tocci smacked a two-run home run over the fence to give the Cubs a 10-0 lead. Max Grundy came up to the plate next and hit a grounder through the hole at third for a base hit. Grundy then stole both second and third base and crossed the plate on a wild pitch, making the score 11-0 to end the fourth.

The top of the fifth saw 3 more Cub runs, on a Bryce Grundy double, a Ben Lee walk and a Zack Janfaza triple, making the score after 5 innings 14-0. In the top of the sixth with one out, Cub Seve Tocci got hit with a pitch an took first. Cub Max Grundy hit a grounder through the hole at second, putting runners on the corners, then stole second. James Sacco took first on walk to load the bases then Bryce Grundy hit an RBI double, scoring Tocci. Max Grundy and Sacco crossed the plate on consecutive wild pitches and Ben Hamblett hit an RBI single to make the score 18-0. The Rockies were unable to rally back in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Cubs the 18-0 victory. 

The Cubs have clinched a spot in next Saturday's Championship game and will await the race for second place to determine their opponent in the game.
"I think we can win it," said Cub Ben Hamblett. "Definitely."

6-1-09, Weston- For the 9 graduating seniors on the Weston High Varsity Baseball team, Monday's 8-2 loss to Georgetown marked not only the end of the DCL Small Co-Champions run in the state tournament, but also their last game played for Weston High.
"It's hard because we are all best of friends," said Senior Scott Scarpato. "Baseball was our time of day to hang out and see each other. We are more than just a team."

The Wildcats MIAA Tournament hopes began with a preliminary round bye, followed by a first round home game last Sunday against 18th seed Amesbury. The Wildcats, with pitcher Senior Sahil Bloom on the mound, captured the 5-2 victory. Weston would end the first inning up, 2-0.
"We wanted to come out and set the tone early," said Bloom. "We ended up doing that well and we scored a couple of runs and we were able to shut them down." 
In the bottom of the third, the Wildcat bats would produce three more runs. With Senior Joe Dell'Erario at first on a base hit, Sophomore Matt O'Connor smacked a two-out double putting runners on second and third. Junior Paul Nelson, who reached base on an infield error, would allow Dell'Erario and Nelson across home plate.
"I was just happy he gave me chance, and I wanted to put it in play," said Nelson. "The coach always preaches good things happen when you put it in play."

With Nelson on first, Sophomore Nick Neu hit a grounder through the hole at second, putting runners at first and third. Sophomore Robert Sharpie was next with an RBI flare to center that dropped, giving Nelson a trip home and the Wildcats a 5-0 lead.

Bloom recorded nine strike-outs on the day in almost seven full innings. He would be replaced in the game at the top of the seventh inning and moved to short stop, allowing him to  come back on to the mound again to pitch after Amesbury scored on a 1 out, two-run home run. The Wildcats would close out with 5-2 score and look ahead to the next day, Monday, when they would take on the 10th seed Georgetown on their home field.
"They are a very good fundamental team that can hit," said Wildcat Head Coach Jon Beverly."They are solid up and down the line-up."

The following day, with Senior Reed Chapman on the mound, the Wildcats found themselves in the position of playing catch-up right away when Georgetown hit them early. Georgetown would go up 2-0 in the top of the first, on Senior Anthony Conte's RBI double to left, then an errant throw to home would plate the second run. The Wildcats would cut that lead in half in the bottom of the first on Sophomore Chris Conlan's sacrifice fly to center, scoring Senior Eddie Blum. In the top of the third, Georgetown would get another run, stretching their lead to 3-1. 
"We had some mistakes early on," said Coach Beverly. "When you give up extra outs here and there, it comes back to bite you a little."

The Wildcats would hold them scoreless until the top of the fifth when Georgetown pitcher, Junior Andrew Sinkewicz smacked a solo home run and Georgetown Senior Josh Ingram hit a two-out, RBI single with runners on 1st and 2nd. Georgetown then went to work with a 5-1 lead. Wildcat pitcher Robert Charpie relieved Chapman in the top of the sixth.
"They hit the ball hard every where," Charpie said. "Unfortunately when we had situations offensively we couldn't capitalize."

The Wildcats stranded two runners in the bottom of the sixth and the top of the seventh saw Georgetown's Josh Ingram hit a two-out RBI double and Georgetown Sophomore Will Ingraham's ground to second which scored two runs on a Wildcat throwing error to first. With the game 8-1,Georgetown, the Wildcats entered into the seventh looking for a rally. Eddie Blum hit a two-out base hit to left, stole second, then crossed the plate on Chris Conlan's base hit through the hole at second.  Georgetown pitcher Andrew Sinkewicz fittingly ended the game with a strikeout, recording 13 strike-outs on the day, capping off the final score at 8-2.

"You can't define a season by one game," said Coach Beverly. "Whether it be a state title or a loss. There is so much to be gained that your really can't focus on the loss."

"The nine seniors are the best group we have ever had," he said.

A Wildcat Weekly thank you to the nine graduating seniors for giving your heart and soul to Weston Baseball for the past four years; Joe Dell'Erario, Jeff Gilchrist, Ryan Hedges, Russ Becker, Sahil Bloom, Eddie Blum, Johnny Young, Scott Scarpato and Reed Chapman.  Also, to the entire Wildcat Baseball team and the coaching staff for a great season and for bringing Weston High it's first DCL title in 53 years.