Torsten Sloan-Anderson fired a three-hit shutout to help Greenfield Post 81 avoid elimination with a 2-0 win over Wilbraham Post 286 in a lightning-shortened, five-inning American Legion Playoff game Friday night at Veterans Field in Greenfield.
Sloan-Anderson was sharp on the hill for Post 81, striking out eight batters while only allowing two walks to earn the victory.
“This was the best game Torsten has pitched for us this season,” said Post 81 head coach Tim Capuano, “he had great control with his fastball from the first inning on and was really dominant against a very good lineup. He was able to locate the fastball and work in his off speed pitches early on and that really kept the opposing hitters off balance”
Post 81 would score the only two runs of the game in the third inning. Tyler Townsley led off the frame with a walk and came around to score on an RBI double by Danny Szafran and Szafran would come around to score on a one out single by Tionne Brown.
The tough luck loser for Post 286 was Nick Scibelli who allowed three hits in the contest while striking out two. Jake Brenton, Jake Hathaway and Scibelli had the lone hits for Wilbraham.
With Post 81 facing elimination after losing its opening round game in Longmeadow on Wednesday night, Post 81 played Friday like they did not want the season to end.
“I kind of called the team out after Wednesday’s game,” said Capuano “I really wanted to see if they would come out with fire and with a lot of focus and I give the guys credit tonight, they came out right in the first inning and played really well with our backs against the wall.”
Post 81 travels to Arcanum Field in Florence today at noon to face Northampton Post 28.
Teddy Bear 9, St. Joseph’s 2 — Tom Malooly ripped three hits and finished with five RBIs to lead Teddy Bear Pools to a 9-2 win over St. Joseph’s in a Tri-County League baseball game Friday night at St. Joseph’s Park in Thorndike.
Liam Datres de la Blotier, Sam Downes and Bill Barrington all finished with two hits while Downes and Barrington each added two RBI’s of their own.
Downes earned the victory on the hill. He fanned four, walked two and allowed one earned run in his six innings of work.
Ryan Magni had three hits for St. Joseph’s while Joe Perlak finished with 2 hits.
The Poolmen return to action on Monday at 5:45 p.m. against Sampson Chapels at Blunt Park in Springfield.