Sports
Medfield to Play for Sectional Title Saturday Despite Tough Loss Friday
Medfield's 12A Little League All-Stars suffered a 4-3 loss to Charlestown Friday but still advanced to Saturday's Sectional Title game against Wellesley South.
Medfield suffered a 4-3 heartbreaking loss to Charlestown Friday, putting its chances of playing for Saturday’s Massachusetts Sectional 3 title in jeopardy.
Later Friday night, Wellesley South helped Medfield advance to the final game, knocking off North Medford 16-4 in four innings. Wellesley South finished the four-team sectional pool with a 3-0 record while Medfield, North Medford and Charlestown each finished with a record of 1-2. Medfield advanced to the sectional final by virtue of the first tiebreaker, finishing with the lowest amount of runs allowed – despite giving up 16 runs against North Medford in a 24-16 slugfest on Thursday.
On Friday, everything seemed to go Medfield’s way through the first five innings, holding a 3-0 lead heading into the sixth inning. Charlestown rallied for four runs in the frame to edge the District 11 champions, 4-3.
Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Medfield struck for two runs in the bottom of the first inning off the big bat of Josh Petrucci. With Michael Walsh on second base and one out, Josh Petrucci hit a two-run home run over the left field fence to give Medfield the 2-0 lead. It was a solid day for Josh Petrucci, who went 2-for-3.
“Couldn’t be prouder. Big players play in big games.” Said Medfield coach Joey Petrucci on Josh’s performance.
Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On defense, Medfield protected the lead with solid fielding and pitching, forcing Charlestown to earn any hit they were able to get.
In the bottom of the third inning, Medfield added to the lead with a run from Dan Chapski off of a Chris McGrory single to make it a 3-0 game. Despite getting extra men on base, Medfield could not bring the runners around for more runs.
The Charlestown rally did all the damage it needed to in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, Charlestown rallied for four runs and the lead. It started with a single from Nolan Doherty to get a man on first base. Cam DelValle’s ground ball single got Doherty to third base and two runners on base.
Charlestown would finally score off of a Jake Scanlon single to get Doherty and DelValle home and to within one.
The tying run came by way of a Colin Sullivan single. With two on, the single was enough to get Dan Settipani home to tie the game at three.
One batter later, Hugh O’Donnell’s ground rule double over the right field fence was enough to give Charlestown a 4-3 lead and eventually the win.
It was a tough loss for a team that looked in control for most of the game. While Medfield lost the game, Petrucci was more than pleased with his group’s effort.
“Sometimes it’s just not meant to be. Wasn’t a lack of effort. I’m proud of the guys.” Said coach Petrucci.
Josh Petrucci led the way for Medfield, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Chris McGrory went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Michael Walsh went 1-for-2.
On the mound, Tim DiFlore threw 85 pitches over six innings with 12 strikeouts. Despite the strong performance, DiFlore’s game came to a halt with the Charlestown rally in the top of the sixth inning.
“He was on his game and things weren't meant to go our way I guess.” Said coach Petrucci.
Friday’s game may not have gone Medfield’s way but the tiebreaker in the Sectional 3 round-robin pool play did and Medfield still finds itself in the Sectional 3 finals. Medfield faces Wellesley South at 2 p.m. Saturday at Kelley Field of the Norwood Little League Complex (1315 Washington St., Norwood). Winner of Saturday’s Sectional final advances to the state tournament in Taunton.
