Windham First Team Battles Neighbor Westbrook and Loses 2-0

Baseball - WHS First Team

May 22, 2010

By David Field

 

Nate Boyle hurls for the Eagles. Boyle allowed two runs, six hits and struck out five. David Field photo.

 

Windham: Windham’s goal was to reduce errors and they accomplished that but couldn’t muster the offense in a 2-0 defeat to the Westbrook Blue Blazes.

 

JV rostered Nate Boyle swung down to play for the First Team and took the hill for the Eagles.  In the first inning, Boyle threw three pitches to retire the side.  Third baseman Corey Cole threw out the first batter at first.  Colby Waterhouse caught a fly to center and Rocco Sbardella caught a pop fly to help Boyle out.  Windham went in order, but the Westbrook’s pitcher, Bean, threw almost four times the number of pitches.

 

Cole Moran took a turn at shortstop for Windham. Here he throws out a Westbrook runner. David Field photo.

 

In the second inning, Windham’s defense held strong.  With runners on second and third, Westbrook had the third base runner commit to home.  Caught in a run down, the runner on second took third base.  Christian Coons and Corey Cole tried their best to put the tag on but couldn’t get the out.  The runner on third was then forced to run back to second and another run down ensued.  Both runners reached their respective starting points safely.  For Windham, no out was attained, but no run was scored either.

 

In the third, the Blazes finally found the plate to score a run.  With runners on second and third again, Westbrook’s number four batter, Lowe, hit a shot to left field.  The runner on third scored. However, Nick Sundquist gunned  the second Westbrook runner out at the plate.  Windham’s goal of playing good defense continued to hold.

 

Left fielder Nick Sundquist gunned down a Westbrook runner. Here, Christian Coons applies the tag on the throw from Sundquist. David Field photo.

 

Nate Boyle continued to pitch strong in the middle innings.  He was convince to finally reach into his tool box and throw a knuckle ball.  Once one worked, he went to it again and again to keep the Westbrook batters guessing. Calvin Field said “It was the best game I have ever seen Nate pitch”.

 

In the top of the seventh, Westbrook added another run and Windham couldn’t answer the offensive call.  Coach Matt Jacobson had this to say about his team:

 

Rocco Sbardella goes deep from second base to catch a fly ball. David Field photo.

 

“The Westbrook game was our best defensive game of the season.  Even though we lost the battle, I'm very proud of the way we handled ourselves defensively.  Nate Boyle pitched an outstanding game against a very good team.  Everyone remained focused in the field and stepped up the quality of their defensive skills to keep the game close.  Unfortunately, we were unable to get the bats hot.  I've seen significant improvement in our ability to get the bat on the ball this season, but we just couldn't get it done against Westbrook.  I know we are a good hitting baseball team.  We must continue to work hard and figure out how we can put together both a strong offensive and defensive front.  If we can accomplish this objective, there' s no freshman team in the league that can beat us.  With four games left on the season, I know we have what it takes to win them all.  We must remember that great baseball teams find ways to win regardless of the situation.  Keep up the good work boys…”

 

Catch the Eagles on Tuesday when they take on Portland at Windham HS at 4pm.