05/28/2014
Spartans have walk-off 11-10 win vs. Ludlow last night
This wasn't a pretty game defense wise, but in the end the Spartans were able to pull out the win. Evan Boutin started the game for the Spartans going the first three innings giving up 8 runs most unearned.
There were enough errors to go around throughout the game, with just about every position pitching in that department. In defense of the poor defense the baseballs were wet on this rainy night and hard to handle the whole game, and the grass need to be cut as well making ground balls difficult to play. Evan fought through his three innings showing great command of the strike zone no matter the defense keeping his team in the game.
Spartan hitters did show some nice power at that the plate, Garrett Vaccaro, Boutin, and Zach Lavoie all hitting the ball hard. Lavoie had the monster smash of the night, falling about 5 feet short of going over the tall fence in deep center at Leahy Field.
Jakob Rabidoux pitched the last two innings, while showing an overpowering fastball with slight control problems. Unfortunately a couple of walks cost him, giving up two earned runs, one in each of the two innings he pitched. Overall pitching a nice two inning keeping the team within striking distance.
The Spartans started their fight back in the forth inning. Dan Lupo had a clutch hit with two outs and the bases loaded scoring two runs to bring the Spartans to within one run, 9-8 going into the fifth inning.
The ump allowed the fifth inning to start with about 5 minutes before the two hour limit was hit, the break the Spartans needed to finish the game. The Ludlow legends scored one run in the fifth inning on a walk with two stolen bases, finally scoring on a ground ball out to 2nd base. Jakob struck out the last batter to end the fifth.
Ludlow put their closer on the mound for the final inning. During warm ups we notice he was having trouble finding the zone. Sean Higgins was up first, though his run was not the most important, him reaching base for us was. After the first pitch was a ball, Sean was given the signal to take the next pitch, which he successfully did. The first time coach has given the take signal all season I might add. He continued to get the take signal, with the count 3-1, once again he successfully took a ball and got on base with a walk. As a coach and something a spectator would never know, that at bat made me extremely happy the way my hitter followed instructions and followed them in a stressful situation. With Sean now on base he eventually stole both second and third base. The next Spartan batter struck out. Lavoie now at the plate with one out. Having hit almost a homerun last at bat, the Ludlow pitcher was much to careful with Zach, he ended up walking him on 4 pitches, putting the tying run on base with two outs.
The pitcher was not paying attention to Zach on base, so he was able to steal both 2nd and 3rd bases. The next Spartan batter grounded out, putting all the pressure was on Nick Morin to get Zach home. Nick came through with a hard hit ball to right field easily scoring Zach to tie the game up. Jakob Rabidoux was the next batter, and last chance for the Spartans to pull out the win, the game would end in a tie if he got an out. Nick being extremely fast easily stole 2nd base. Jakob didn't was anytime and hit the second pitch to right field. Jakob still had to beat out the throw from the right field since he was playing shallow. Jakob got to first about two steps before the throw, and with Nick flying from second he scored without a throw home giving the Spartans the 11-10 walk-off win.
It was a nice win on a crummy night weather wise. Nick and Jakob got game balls, but others were certainly worthy as well. Next game is against Ludlow, at Leahy, 6pm this Thursday night for a rematch. Garrett Vaccaro will get the start for this one.
