Blue Advances in Districts with 11-2 Win Over Cranford

Westfield Blue put it all together in beating Cranford, 11-2, to clinch first place in Group A of the District tournament. Outstanding pitching, dynamite hitting, and spectacular defensive plays were the norm.


Tyler Roth opened the game with a base hit, stole second, went to third on Rowan Oberman's single, and scored on a clutch single by Owen Murray. After Cranford tied the game on a home run, Tyler led off the top of the third with a matching dinger over the left field fence. The Blue lineup followed by pounding the rock and batting around, putting up 8 runs in the third frame with booming RBI doubles by Owen Murray and Parker Hess, and Ribby singles by George Murray, Cameron Bremer (knocking in 2 runs), J.D. Marner, and Tyler.

Justin Lin pitched 3 excellent innings, retiring 9 of the 10 batters that he faced. After staking Blue to a 9-1 lead, Justin gave way to Rowan, who pitched a stellar final 3 innings, giving up one unearned run on Blue's only defensive lapse of the game.

Westfield scored its 10th run in the fourth on an Owen Murray single, steals of 2nd and 3rd, and Daniel Criscuolo's RBI line-drive hit to right. Blue closed out the scoring in the top of the 6th with Steven Barmakian singling, moving to 3rd on Owen's double, and touching home on Daniel's second RBI of the game.

Also contributing to the victory were Michael Jeffery by working a key walk and Owen Brancatella by using his speed to score an important run.

In the field, Westfield flashed the leather all night, with Owen, J.D., Tyler, Rowan, Steven, and Justin each making outstanding defensive plays.

With the victory Blue will receive a bye in the single elimination round of the Districts.

The evening ended with a smiling Coach Mike Murray praising the boys for their terrific all-around play.

Game Recap by Cindy Roth

Some of the key hits tonight:


Tyler's HR


Rowan


Steven


Owen Murray


Parker


Daniel


George


Cameron


J.D.


Justin's pitching was superb


One of the many great defensive plays of the night