Starfires get back in win column, hammer Silver Knights
WESTFIELD, Massachusetts (June 5, 2022) – The Westfield Starfires snapped a three-game losing skid in emphatic fashion, defeating the Nashua Silver Knights 13-2 in a Futures Collegiate Baseball League contest at Bullens Field on Sunday, June 5. Westfield is now 8-3 on the season, tied for first place in the FCBL. Jackson Hornung was dominant both behind and at the plate for the Starfires, as the catcher was only a triple short from hitting the cycle. He helped the Starfires strike first in the first inning, scoring from third on a single by Caleb Stelly. He scored again in the third inning on a Daniel Burnett RBI groundout, after doubling and stealing third. In the fourth inning, Hornung crushed a three-run home run, an opposite field shot to right, to put the Starfires up 5-0. In the Silver Knights half of the fifth, Richie Paltridge tripled before Jack McDermott hit a single to drive him in, getting the guests on the board. However, in the bottom of the fifth, Stelly and Cavan Brady each singled before Alex Sorrenti-Burns batted an RBI single to center. After Brendan Jones reached on a fly to center, Cooper Johnson singled to plate Sorrenti-Burns. In the sixth, Paltridge drove in James Powers for Nashua, but again the Starfires answered. Brian Norsen, Stelly, and Brady reached before pinch-hitter Chad Lavelle knocked in a two-run single to left. Jones smacked another RBI single to left for his fourth hit of the game, Johnson followed with a two-run double, and Hornung hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Jones, making the score 13-2 After Starfires starting pitcher Michael Aceto got the first out in the seventh, Edwin Almanzar came in to get the final two outs, finishing the game for the Starfires due to the run rule. Aceto was dominant, pitching 6.1 innings and striking out six, only allowing two runs on eight hits. The Starfires will return to Billy Bullens Field for a 6:30 p.m. matchup against the Norwich Sea Unicorns on Tuesday, June 7. For the latest on the team, be sure to follow the Starfires on Twitter and Instagram @starfiresbb, and visit us on the web at westfieldstarfires.com. |
