GREENFIELD — Greenfield Post 81 snuck in its Western Mass. American Legion playoff game before heavy rain soaked Veterans Memorial Field on Saturday afternoon. Greenfield took down Monson Post 241, 8-3, behind a solid starting pitching performance from Evan Tsipenyuk.
The right-handed pitcher pitched into the sixth inning, giving up three hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts.
“It felt great,” Tsipenyuk said. “I stayed in the zone today. I only had two walks. I was giving the defense the chance to help me out, and I was helping myself out with strikeouts.”
Tsipenyuk gave up a run in the top of the first, but the offense quickly took the lead in the bottom half of the inning.
“This team is going to hit,” Tsipenyuk said. “They are going to hit and score. If I keep them under three runs, we should have no problem.”
Greenfield Post 81 exits the field after a win over Monson in the American Legion playoffs, Saturday in Greenfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Bodie Burke (right) and Jackson Campbell of Greenfield Post 81 celebrate after a win over Monson, Saturday in Greenfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Conner Bergeron of Greenfield Post 81 hits a triple against Monson, Saturday in Greenfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Evan Tsipenyuk of Greenfield Post 81 delivers a pitch against Monson., Saturday in Greenfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Samuel Connors of Greenfield Post 81 prepares for a pitch against Monson. Saturday in Greenfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
Greenfield plays the winner of Aldenville and East Springfield back at Veterans Memorial Field on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 5:45. Greenfield continues to get strong starting pitching during the playoffs.
“Tsipenyuk was great,” Greenfield coach Alex Siano said. “He was just perfect. You couldn’t ask for anything more from that kid. He really pitched well.”
Conner Bergeron and Bodie Burke pitched in relief. Burke had to deal with some of the heavier rain in the top of the seventh but battled through the conditions to close out the game. Burke gave up three hits but picked up three strikeouts in the appearance. Bergeron struck out two hitters.
Several baseballs had to be sent to the dugout because of the rain.
“Towards the end it got a little more wet,” Siano said. “Some of the later pitchers struggled with a wet ball.”
Three insurance runs scored in the sixth inning proved important heading into the final frame.
“If we don’t get those runs in the bottom of the sixth, it’s 5-3,” Siano said. “I tip my hat to Monson. They played the whole game today.”
The top of the lineup did some damage for Greenfield. Burke went 4-for-4 with two runs scored while Bergeron went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a walk. Bergeron had an RBI triple in the bottom of the second.
“I was just trying to stay loose,” Bergeron said. “Put the ball in play like I usually do. Continue to stay hot. We have to continue to hit and our pitching is amazing.”
In the bottom of the first, Burke and Bergeron both singled to start the inning. Ethan Mauthe then scored both runners with a two run single to give Greenfield a 2-1 lead. Burke had three stolen bases in the game.
Greenfield loaded the bases in the fourth inning but only came away with two runs. Bergeron drew a walk for an RBI and another run scored on an error.
Brayden Mega took the loss for Monson. Mega went five innings, surrendering five runs on eight hits with six strikeouts. He six walks in his outing. Nicholas Prasol and Shawn Baumann both drew two walks for Greenfield. Sebastian Mayberry had two hits for Monson.
Jackson Campbell and Sam Connors both added a hit each for Greenfield.
