Box Score

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts (August 2, 2024) – Playing in his 50th game as a member of the Westfield Starfires, a grand slam by Central Connecticut State University’s Danny Hussey made the difference in an 8-5 win over the Futures League Road Warriors.

The win improves the Starfires to 33-20-1 on the season, for a total of 67 points in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League standings.

Offense was a struggle early; both teams had chances cut short by double plays in the second, with the Starfires catching Carter Bentley between third and home after a groundout, but Bentley exacted revenge by throwing out a runner at third on a flyout in the home half.

Westfield broke through in the third thanks to an error; Central Connecticut State’s Gianno Merlonghi reached on a subsequent fielder’s choice and then stole second before Stonehill College’s Taylor Gaspar singled through the middle to bring him home.

The run in the third was quickly followed by a barrage in the fourth.

Boston College’s Julio Solier walked and stole second, taking third when the pickoff throw sailed into center field. He scored on a groundout by Quinnipiac University’s Kyle Garbowski, who beat a throw to first to avoid an inning-ending double play.

That effort proved critical, as Merlonghi walked and Kansas State University’s Chandler Murray also took ball four to load the bases for Hussey. After a foul and a called strike, he was able to get the barrel of his bat to a high fastball, hooking it inside the right-field foul pole for a four-run play and a 6-0 lead.

Gaspar then doubled, scoring when Central Connecticut State’s Aidan Redahan singled to the right side.

The Road Warriors pushed two across in the fifth but the Starfires countered once again. With two outs, Merlonghi worked a walk and then swiped second base. Two pitches later, Murray slapped a single to center field to drive him home.

The 8-2 lead lasted until the eighth, when the Road Warriors combined a walk, single, double, sacrifice fly, and balk to cut the gap in half, but Wheaton College’s Jack Kelleher-Mochak struck out the final two hitters of the frame to finish the inning.

However, there was no ninth inning; a heavy rain hit, forcing the game to end prematurely.

Southern New Hampshire University’s Devin Divita, who was on the mound when Westfield took the lead, earned the win on 1.1 innings of hitless pitching, allowing just two walks but striking out two.

The final home Saturday of the regular season is a critical one as the Starfires host the Norwich Sea Unicorns for a pair. Westfield trails Norwich in the standings, but a Starfires sweep would put the team in first heading into the season’s final day.

Westfield will host Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield Celebration Night presented by bankESB, and the team will wear specialty jerseys designed by the organization’s Development and Marketing Director Jose Roman, in partnership with the North Elm Butcher Block. These jerseys will be auctioned off during the game.

One ticket is good for both contests, and gates open at 4:00 p.m. with pregame entertainment being provided by Hard Knox.