Babe Ruth: Medfield Shut Out in Game 2 of World Series vs. Milford

MILFORD – The Babe Ruth World Series between Medfield and Milford will go to a third and decisive game after a big win for Milford, who won a defensive battle enroute to a 3-0 victory in Game 2 Thursday.

Aside from token hits and the occasional walk, it was a defensively sound game through the first four innings. Milford was playing for their season while Medfield was trying to end it and as a result, both teams played a tight game with minimal risks taken.

That all changed in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs and no one on, Mike Tracy single to right field to start the first threatening rally of the evening. After a Brendan Pound walk, Cam Cossette singled to center field to load the bases for Milford.

With bases loaded and two outs, the pressure was on pitcher Matt Casieri to get David Rice out. A strikeout was enough to end the inning and get Medfield out of the jam.

Medfield would also threaten to score in the top of the sixth inning. With two on and two out, Medfield was in position to score with just a hit. Unfortunately for Medfield, a strike out ended the inning like it did for Milford to keep the game scoreless through 5 ½ innings.

Things started to fall apart for Medfield in the bottom of the sixth inning. With bases loaded and one out, Ryan Simoneau’s sacrifice fly scored Alex Tonkonogy to take a 1-0 lead.

Luck would also have a part in the Milford rally as Joe Shebertes lost a fly ball from Tracy in the lights. The blinding moment was enough to get Chris Trafecante home and increase the lead to two.

The third and final run came from a Brendan Pounds hit that brought Chaney Gaudette home. Medfield would end the inning soon afterwards to go into the seventh and final inning down 3-0.

Matt Pembroke started off the top of the seventh with a single to center field but it would be the only hit of the inning. Three quick outs ended the game and tied the series at on game apiece. With the win, Milford forces a winner-take-all Game 3 in Medfield.

It was a tough loss for a Medfield team that saw opportunities but couldn’t capitalize on them.

“We had our chances. We had the bases loaded, had second and third one out and we couldn’t score,” said Medfield head coach Kevin Glasheen.

It was a tough loss for Casieri. The Medfield pitcher threw a complete game with three strikeouts but was hurt by the Milford rally in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“That's another hard loss for Matt Casieri," Glasheen said. "He pitched pretty well. Good enough to win.”

At the plate, Gill Adams went 1-for-2. Shebertes, Pembroke, and John Zimmerman all went 1-for-3.

For Milford, Chris Trafecante went 1-for-3 with a run. Pounds went 1-for-1 with an RBI. Despite going 0-for-2, Chaney Gaudette was able to score.

On the mound Eric Fernandes threw a complete game with 10 strikeouts and only four hits.

With the series tied at one each, the final game will be played at Curt Shilling Field in Medfield Friday at 5:30 p.m. Corey Chung is likely to be the starting pitcher for Medfield. It won’t be Chung’s first game three either. The pitcher/center fielder has pitched two game three tournament victories against both Natick and Sudbury.