BURLINGTON – The Westfield Starfires pounced early and held on to win a 4-2 decision in a Futures Collegiate Baseball League contest to split a weekend series against the Vermont Lake Monsters at Centennial Field.
Westfield’s record now stands at 6-3 on the campaign, first by percentage points over the Norwich Sea Unicorns and Brockton Rox.
“We had to get some runs early to give us a boost and get some confidence,” Starfires manager Paul Bonfiglio said. “To get some hits early, let people know we were locked in.”
Boston College’s Colin Larson worked his way back from a 1-2 count to earn a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch during the at-bat of Millersville University’s Sam Morris. Morris singled, and both scored in the inning, with Larson coming home on a groundout by Central Connecticut State University’s Gianno Merlonghi and Morris tagging up on a sacrifice fly by Jayden Novak of the College of Charleston.
Larson and Morris teamed up to add two more in the third. The rookie smashed a leadoff triple off the center-field fence and was promptly driven in when Morris doubled to left. On the next pitch, Morris broke for third, and the pickoff throw sailed into the outfield, allowing him to scamper home quickly.
That was all the Westfield pitching staff needed. Jack Martineau of Post University was given the ball to start, and his off-speed pitches worked. He twirled five and a third scoreless, scattering three hits and three walks with five strikeouts. Keene State University’s Daniel Cantafi took care of the following five outs.
“Fastball wasn’t really there, so early on, I went with the slider, and the changeup worked well,” Martineau said, noting the early run support. “I loved that. You always say you want that run support early to go out and have that, I loved it.”
Bonfiglio couldn’t agree more.
“He pitched great today,” he said. “Filled up the zone, and he really pitched today. Not that he hasn’t pitched in the past…but he was all around that zone today, and it was a tough zone, and he pitched through that.”
Westfield State University’s Joe Fischer got two outs in the eighth, but the Lake Monsters loaded the bases. Bonfiglio called the bullpen to Boston College freshman Cesar Gonzalez, who fanned Vermont’s Jeter Polledo with a high fastball to end the threat. He allowed a two-run home run in the ninth but finished the save with a groundout, strikeout, and groundout.
“He’s solid. All of his pitches are good. At times, I was thinking to myself, ‘If you’re gonna get beat, get beat with your best pitch,’ but the truth is all of his pitches are really good, and I don’t want to handcuff him to one pitch,” Bonfiglio noted of his young pitcher.
The Starfires take on the New Britain Bees on Monday, with a doubleheader beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Westfield’s next home game will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against the Brockton Rox. Tickets for all home Starfires games are available at westfieldstarfires.com.
