Published in the June 8, 2018 edition.
By NOAH GREIF
MELROSE — The Warriors simply did not play their best baseball against Melrose yesterday, losing 8-3. This was Wakefield’s first game in the Division 2 North Sectional Tournament, matching up against their rival in the preliminary round.
In what would be his last start of his high school career, Robert Shaw got the nod. Shaw was off of his usual rhythm, allowing seven hits over four and a third innings, and striking out four, although the defense was off from the start, as Shaw only allowed one earned run. In the first inning, the southpaw escaped out of a bases loaded jam with a groundout to Chris Coombs, only allowing a run.
Melrose scored another run in the second after two singles and an error. In the third, Wakefield allowed two more runs off a couple errors and a passed ball.
Unfortunately, in the fifth inning, Melrose was able to surge ahead off of some key mistakes by Wakefield. Shaw got one out in the inning before being relieved by freshman Chris Alden, who pitched well, but did not get the needed support in the field.
“We didn’t pick the best day to not play our best defense, as it really decided the game,” head coach Kevin Canty remarked.
Alden didn’t allow a single hit, going an inning and two thirds and striking out one.
On the offensive side, the Warriors were able to get some good hits, but couldn’t string enough together late in the game to get the victory.
Wakefield first scored in the third inning, with Cole Kraus reaching on an error, Erich Hickey singling to left and Gabe Sanders drawing a walk to load the bases. Cal Tryder drew a walk, scoring a run, and Jake Nardone sent Hickey home on a sacrifice fly.
The Warriors tacked on another run in the fourth, with Tommy Mottl scoring on an error by the catcher after he hit a line drive double to left. Tyler Pugsley and Gabe Sanders also collected hits for Wakefield.
Despite the loss, the Warriors have a lot of promise heading into next season.
“We have a lot of young guys who don’t have a lot of tournament experience, so it was tough to learn. We just need to throw strikes and play clean defense,” Canty explained.
However, every player has gained experience, both good and bad, and now knows what to expect.
Wakefield will be losing a great group of eight seniors in Brendan Coughlin, Jordan Fauci, Cole Kraus, Mike McKean, Jake Nardone, Tyler Pugsley, Patrick Roche and Robert Shaw, but the Warriors know what they need to improve on for next season, and have the talent to back it up.