Medfield Baseball Nips Norton, 3-1

NORTON – It wasn't pretty but the baseball team was able to make the most of its opportunities in a 3-1 victory over Norton Friday, sweeping the Lancers in the season series.

“We had to play gritty baseball because that’s how they (Norton) play. We really had to play their game to beat them,” Medfield head coach Matt Marenghi said. “That team fought hard and in hindsight I think we scored on two passed balls. You never suspect you’re going to win on passed balls.”

The Warriors only needed the top of the second inning to cause enough damage for the win. Matt Casieri’s line drive single to centerfield scored T.J. Valante (two hits) and advanced Jake Mintz (one hit) to third base.

Taking advantage of pitching woes by the Lancers, the Warriors extended the lead to 3-0 when Mintz and Casieri were able to score on a pair of passed balls. The damaged was contained after Brian DiOrio was able to end the inning by striking out Brian McCloud.

The Lancers tried to get back in the game but Norton struggled on the bases. Anthony Hallgreen was able to start the bottom half of the third inning with a walk but was called out after getting stuck in a rundown. The Lancers were able to get a run back later in the inning when a throwing error to first base allowed Russell Boudreau to score and cut the lead to two.

Later in the bottom of the fourth, the Lancers found their momentum being killed again when Corey Marsden (one hit) was able to get a single with one out but like the previous inning, he was called out after being caught in a rundown.

“It's inexcusable. ... It won’t happen again,” Lancers head coach Ted Currle said. “Those were two big outs. We let them (Medfield) out of some jams.”

Norton tried to rally in the bottom of the sixth inning when Colin Feeney (two hits) started things off with a single to left field but the Lancers could not capitalize on the hit. 

A 1-2-3 bottom of seventh inning ended things as Medfield walked away with a close victory.

“We played four games this week exactly the same. We pitched great, played solid defense, and couldn’t really get the big hits,” Currle said.

Joe Shebertes struck out seven and only walked two over 5.1 innings for the Warriors. Corey Chung struck out one in relief duty and earned a save.

“He’s a senior with experience and on a day where you might not of had his best stuff that’s when you need a guy with experience who isn’t shaken in a close baseball game,” Marenghi said of Shebertes' effort.

DiOrio stuck out two batters and walked two in the losing effort for Norton.

Medfield returns to action on Monday, May 7th when it hosts Hopkinton at 3:45 p.m.