In a game that was as close as could be, the Westfield Starfires pushed the only run across with two outs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Nashua Silver Knights 1-0 at Holman Stadium in Nashua, New Hampshire on Monday, June 15, earning third-year Manager Paul Bonfiglio sole possession of the most wins in franchise history.

The Starfires improve to 9-9 on the campaign.

Pitching was the story of the day for the first eight frames. Nashua starter Lucas Collins spread two hits over four frames while fanning six and Josh Florence threw two hitless innings with just a walk to follow him up.

On Westfield’s side, Springfield College senior and Whip City native Josh Mayo, fresh off being named FCBL Pitcher of the Week, delivered an encore showing of his performance from his complete-game win a week prior, going seven shutout frames with just five hits allowed.

Nashua only threatened twice while Mayo was pitching. The first time was in the third, when a hit batter and an error put men at second and third with one outs, but he induced a flyout before striking out the next hitter to shut down the threat. The latter challenge came in the sixth, with back-to-back one-out singles, but a batter’s interference call turned a stolen base attempt into a strikeout double play to close the frame.

In the eighth, after a leadoff single, Mayo handed the ball off to Princeton University rookie Patrick Weaving, who induced a rare 2-3 double play as Kansas State University freshman Jett Vindiola caught a foul popout and threw to first to catch the runner. The game headed to the ninth scoreless.

Louisiana Tech sophomore Easton Sanders started the Starfires off in the final frame with a single to left-center, and was sacrificed over into scoring position. The Silver Knights intentionally walked Cornell University sophomore Aiden Barclay to set up a potential double play, but after a strikeout, incoming Brown University freshman Morrie Fried delivered the first run of the game, lining an 0-1 pitch to center to score Sanders.

“Going into the 9th, I knew we had to come through as a team. The moment presented itself, and I was just trying to do my job. I felt like I was seeing it well all night and was just trying to do damage on the first fastball I got. Rounding first seeing the run score definitely got me and the team pumped up,” Fried said.

With the lead now in hand, Weaving was able to draw back-to-back groundouts before issuing a two-out walk. Rhode Island College senior Casey Williams came into the game, and he slammed the door on pinch-hitter Hunter Troiano and the Silver Knights, forcing a flyout to center to save the victory.

Weaving was the winner, improving to 1-0 on the season; the save for Williams was his first as well.

Mayo, for his part, heaped praise on his teammates. “Jett has called two great games, which has allowed me to pitch deep into these games and have success. The bullpen was lights out tonight with Weaving and Williams being able to come in in huge spots and shut their offense down tonight,” he said.

“It was a special effort. The guys hung tough, played great defense, and Mayo was just tremendous again,” Bonfiglio said.

For Bonfiglio, the victory breaks a tie with his predecessor behind the bench, Kyle Dembrowski, for the most wins in franchise history, now at 62.

“It was a great way to set the record. Management and the staff have been so supportive, and the players have really made my time in Westfield a cherished experience,” Bonfiglio said.

Mayo, who has been part of the Westfield roster for three seasons, added “It’s awesome. He’s a great coach and an even better person and it was pretty cool to be part of such a big milestone and help play a part in that. He [has] a really smart baseball mind, and it has shown so far this season.”

Westfield continues its road swing with a tilt at Fitton Field against the Worcester Bravehearts on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m.