GREENFIELD — Two games into the season and the Greenfield baseball team has yet to surrender a run.
After defeating Palmer 11-0 on Monday, the Green Wave welcomed Monson to Vets Field for their home opener on Wednesday. The pitching of TJ Thibeault kept the Mustangs off the scoreboard, as the senior stuck out 10 in six innings of work to lead Greenfield to an 8-0 victory.
“It was a good outing for him,” Green Wave coach Tom Suchanek said of Thibeault. “He threw OK the other day against Palmer and he threw well today. It all comes down to pitching and defense. It’s our second outing, so we have a long way to go.”
At the plate, Greenfield registered 12 hits. MJ Paulin led the way with three singles while Tyler Podolski and Trevor Kuchieski each had a pair of hits in the win.
Caleb Thomas, David Carey, Michael Pierce, Drew Conant and Jackson Petrin all hit safely for the Green Wave (2-0).
“We’re feeling really good right now,” Paulin said. “Our offense, we’ve been working on that to the best of our abilities. We’re trying to perfect everything and same with our defense. We’re working four hours a day at times. We’re putting all the work in that we can, giving it 100-percent effort and so far it’s paying off.”
Thibeault opened the game by striking out three and allowing one hit in the first inning. After the Greenfield offense went scoreless in the bottom of the first, Thibeault surrendered an opening walk in the second but struck out the next three batters he faced.
The Green Wave got on the board in the bottom of the second. Paulin reached on a single and Podolski followed it up with a base hit of his own. The throw to first was late and ended up sailing over the head of the Monson first baseman, allowing Paulin to get around the bases and score for the opening run of the game.
Podolski went to third on the error. Thibeault grounded out on the ensuing at bat, but it allowed Podolski to come in and score to put Greenfield up 2-0 after two innings.
Thibeault didn’t allow a hit in the third, striking out two, and the Green Wave tallied another run in the bottom of the frame. Carey singled, stole second and was moved to third after Paulin cracked a single to right field. A balk was then called on the Mustangs, bringing Carey home to put Greenfield ahead 3-0.
Two more runs came across for the Green Wave in the fourth. Thomas reached on a fielder’s choice and was able to reach home thanks to a Monson error off a ground ball from Deven Dubie.
With Dubie on third, Kuchieski laid down a perfect bunt to bring home another run and extend the advantage to 5-0 after four innings.
Greenfield scored its final three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Pierce opened the inning with a base hit and Paulin followed it up with his third single of the contest. Podolski hit a ground ball to short and the Mustangs forced Paulin out at second, but the double-play throw to first was off target and it allowed Pierce to scamper home.
Thibeault reached on an error which moved Podolski to third and Conant laid down a bunt that got him safely to first, bringing Podolski in to score.
Jackson Petrin then came to the plate and smashed a single to left that plated Thibeault, putting the Green Wave ahead 8-0.
Thibeault came off the mound after the sixth inning, finishing the game by allowing just three hits and two walks. Podolski pitched the seventh, striking out two batters and not allowing a hit.
While Greenfield has looked strong to start the season, Suchanek said there’s still plenty to clean up going forward.
“We made some mental mistakes on the bases,” Suchanek said. “Defensively we were alright. It’s early and we’re making early mistakes. Against good teams, we won’t win with those.”
Greenfield will head to the Berkshires on Friday, with a road trip to play at Monument Mountain in Great Barrington.