Westfield's run in Babe Ruth tournament ends with 3-1 loss to Warren

Westfield Blue lost 3-1 to a tough, well coached team from Warren. The loss dropped Westfield to 2-3 in the Babe Ruth tournament and ended Westfield’s run at the tournament playoff round.

Westfield got incredibly strong pitching from Vin “Madman” Difilippo. Madman held Warren to only a single earned run through solid innings of work on the mound. He scattered six hits over 4 and battled fiercly to get out of trouble in the 1st and 4th innings. The 1st inning was particularly impressive as Warren loaded the bases with no outs, but Difilippo dug down and added a few MPHs to his fastball and snuck in a few timely changeups to escape the inning without allowing Warren to score. Nick Mele pitched one inning in relief and retired all 3 batters he faced. The defense was strong behind both pitchers. Centerfielder Scott Tupper prevented another Warren run when with a runner on 2nd base he charged a single up the middle and threw a strike to the cutoff man to hold the runners at 1st and 3rd.

Warren got great pitching as well and the Warren starter had a perfect game going until Nick Mele broke through with a single with 2 outs in the 4th. A few pitches later Chris “Boots” Boutsikaris followed Mele’s single with a single of his own and the only run of the game for Westfield. The only other hit of the game for Westfield was Brett Robertshaw’s clutch leadoff single in the top of the 6th. Eric Varakian followed with a line shot to center field, but the Warren center fielder made a nice running catch to head off the rally that seemed like it was in the making.

Next up is Chatham on Monday, 7/16 in Chatham in North Jersey League play. Warm ups will start at 5:20 and the boys will wear their gray uniforms. Directions to Chatham will be available later in the weekend.