GREENFIELD — In its first three seasons, Greenfield Post 81 has racked up 65 wins, three consecutive Western Massachusetts District championships and a fourth-place appearance in the New England Tournament.
Yet for all of its early success over its first three seasons of existence, Greenfield Post 81 has been unable to capture a state championship. Well, that could very well happen by the middle of next week in their own backyard when they host the Massachusetts Junior American Legion Baseball Championship at Veterans Memorial Field.
The eight-team, double-elimination event opens Saturday with four games beginning at 9:30 a.m. and running through Wednesday evening.
The top two teams will qualify for the regional tournament in Rockland.
Greenfield opens play Saturday night at 7 against District 6A champion Norwood Post 70, and will face either District 8A and defending state champion Methuen Post 122 or District 6B champion Franklin Post 75, either at 12:30 p.m. (if they lose the opener) or 7 p.m. (if they win).
The opening game will pit western Mass. runner-up Chicopee Post 452 against District 9 champion Norton Post 222, followed by Methuen vs. Franklin at 12:30. District 10 winner Whitman Post 22 faces Somerset Post 228 at 4:30, with Greenfield and Norwood battling in the nightcap.
(Note: Somerset is from District 9; District 8B champ Ipswich wasn’t able to field a team for the tourney, nor could any other 8B team, so Somerset — which was scheduled to play Norton Thursday for the District 9 spot — was selected to represent District 8B).
Post 81 head coach Kyle Phelps believes his team can win but acknowledged that Metrhuen has to be considered the favorite.
“They still have last year’s MVP, Jake Thibault, and the top hitter from last year’s state tourney, Cam Donahue,” he said. “But we have a team that can compete with whoever we play.”
Post 81 has proven that in the short time they’ve been in existence — the program’s overall record is an eye-popping 65-13 (.833).
Greenfield is hoping to reverse a trend that has seen the locals lose the opening game in each of their first two state tournament appearances, and it eventually took a major toll on their pitching.
This year Phelps’ pitching staff is as deep as it’s ever been. He’ll start left-hander Josh Obuchowski in Saturday’s opener, then hand the ball to Tyreece Younger in Sunday’s game. Should Greenfield still be in, Kyle Spencer is slated to get the ball in the third game on Monday, and Adam Hallenbeck is available to start a fourth game.
Phelps also has plenty of bullpen arms, highlighted by hard-throwing left-handers Tyler Miner and Bryce Jordan. He can also use Tyler Townsley and Eliot Mousseau in short relief situations. His wild card is Tyler Lavin, who can step into a variety of roles, including that of the closer.
Phelps said he likes Lavin’s unwavering confidence, regardless of the opponent.
“The kid’s never scared in the moment,” said Phelps. “He always thinks he can beat whoever he goes against.”
Greenfield’s offense undoubtedly has the firepower to carry them to a win.
Leadoff hitter Tionne Brown will set the table, along with second hitter Owen MacPhee. Then the middle of the order will look to the damage with Townsley, Ben Arnold, Colin Cloutier and Owen Phelps in the third through sixth spots.
The expected starting lineup in the opener will finish off with Kyle Spencer, Hallenbeck and Eliot Mousseau.
Hunter Campbell, Alec Jordan, Luke Viens and Nick Williams round out the roster.
Coach Phelps gave his players a taste of the quality of pitchers they’ll face during the states. Post 81 Senior Legion hurlers Torsten Sloan Anderson and Quinn Doyle — both of whom played on last year’s Junior squad — threw batting practice during one of their midweek workouts.
Phelps, who is assisted by his father, Bill, as well as Dan Cloutier, Gabe Mousseau and Dan Townsley, knows it is vital for his team to get off to a good start against Norwood.
“I’m trying to emphasize the importance of that first game to our guys,” he said. “They need to realize that if we play our game we can beat anyone. We have a tough draw with Norwood and a possible matchup with Methuen, who beat us in the final last year.”
That said, head coach Phelps knows he has a team that can make a statement and should benefit from home-field advantage.
“We have the confidence that we can match up against any team in the state,” he said. “These guys have been doing it all year long with the bats, averaging over 10 runs per game. Our pitching has been dominant as well. We have seven guys who played in this tournament last year and two that are in their third state tourney, so we have the experience.”