The Westfield Starfires used a quick start to defeat the Futures Collegiate Baseball League’s newest franchise, the Lowell Spinners, by a score of 9-3 in the team’s first-ever trip to LeLacheur Park on Sunday, May 31.
Westfield is now 3-2 on the season.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst junior Vance Bonior started the Starfires off with a triple on a flare to right that snuck past the Spinners defense, but the next two Westfield hitters were retired, threatening to waste the three-base effort. However, Saint Joseph’s College junior Nic Frink smacked a 1-1 pitch past the shortstop to drive him home, and after Bonior’s college teammate, Will Briggs, walked, University of Bridgeport senior Anthony Armenia whacked a double to left to give Westfield a 3-0 lead.
The Spinners did answer with one of their own in the first on a double, groundout, and sacrifice fly, but the Starfires offense kept chugging in the second. Cornell University sophomore Aiden Barclay doubled and took third on a wild pitch before Bonior was plunked to put men at the corners. Louisiana Tech sophomore Cooper Smith advanced both a base with a groundout, scoring Barclay, and Bonior scored on an error later in the inning.
In the third, Briggs and Armenia both started the frame with singles. The Spinners turned a double play, but Briggs took third on that ball, and scored when Hobart College sophomore Jack O’Neil smacked a double into right field, pushing Westfield ahead 6-1.
In the fifth, the Spinners threatened, putting men at second and third with one out, but Zach Ruffing came on in relief and was sharp. The American International College senior fanned both men he faced to snuff out the threat.
In the sixth, however, the Spinners did break through thanks to two infield hits, including a leadoff bunt. The duo on base swiped second and third, and then scored on a flyout and a triple. Ruffing locked back in after that, fanning the next two hitters to end the threat.
Westfield then negated the rally with another pair of runs. Smith, who had a shot to right just narrowly go foul in his at-bat, reached on a dropped third strike, and Stonehill senior Jamison Howland followed with a hit deep to third base. Frink singled to right to pack the bags, and Briggs pushed Smith home with a walk. Armenia bounced into a double play, but Howland came home to restore the five-run edge.
Westfield’s offense added one more in the eighth, as O’Neil was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on an error at first. From there, Westfield’s bullpen finished the job. Western New England’s Sullivan Quirk allowed two runners but struck out the final batter of the frame he threw, and Southern Maine’s Thomas Pirog struck out the side to finish with a flourish.
Ruffing’s win came in 2.2 frames of relief; he and Dunlea each recorded four of the 12 strikeouts for Westfield’s pitching.
The Starfires return home to Bullens Field on Monday, June 1, for a matchup with the Worcester Bravehearts at 10:30 a.m.
