BROGAN CHAMBERS was able to contribute in different ways, both defensively at third base and right field and advancing runners at the plate. (Noah Greif Photo)
Published in the July 23, 2018 edition
By NOAH GREIF
READING — On Saturday at Washington Park in Reading, the Rockets simply outplayed the 15-16 Division A Townies. Wakefield put up a good fight, but ultimately they couldn’t overcome the booming Reading offense.
The Townies had a great start early in the first inning, as they put up three runs. On the very first pitch of the game, Luke Hopkins was hit by a pitch, firing up Wakefield early. Brogan Chambers advanced Hopkins on a ground out to second, and he would score on a line drive double to right by Mike Iannuzzi.
Paul Holman continued to put pressure on the Reading defense, as he hit a ground ball to shortstop and forced the shortstop to make a good throw. The ball would get by the first baseman, allowing Iannuzzi to score and advance Holman to second with only one out.
Wakefield tacked on one more run on an infield hit to second base by Colin Rudy, scoring Holman from second. The Townies were up 3-0 very quickly, but it would be their only runs of the game.
Regardless, head coach Ian Power said of the three-run first inning, “It was good for us to get off to a good start. We haven’t been doing much of that lately.”
Chris Power would get the start for the Townies, and had a difficult lineup to face. Power got the leadoff hitter to ground out, but Reading singled to center. The runner advanced to third after a stolen base and a passed ball and scored on a tough hop that went by Luke Hopkins, who saw a lot of action at shortstop.
Wakefield got another out after Power made a nice play, throwing the ball home as the runner tried to score from third, after stealing second and third. Catcher Paul Holman applied the tag for the second out of the inning. Holman faced aggressive Reading runners on the base paths, but Reading was able to take the advantage with twelve stolen bases.
Combined with two errors, a double, five singles and a wild pitch, Reading pulled away in the game, scoring ten runs in the first inning. The Townies had chances to get out of the inning with the lead, but couldn’t convert.
“Obviously Chris [Power] struggled more than usual and we couldn’t get the one play we needed to get out of the first inning,” said head coach Ian Power of the tough first inning. Power would finish the day after one and a third innings, giving up nine hits and two earned runs, while walking two and striking out one.
Luke Hopkins singled to left in the second inning, but Wakefield couldn’t produce enough to push more runs across the board. Hopkins went 2-for-2 at the plate and scored a run, as he contributed both at the plate and in the field. Reading would score another run after a walk and two singles, making it 11-3 Reading after two innings.
The Townies only baserunner in the third was Pat McGann, who drew a two-out walk.
After getting the last two outs in the second inning, Luke Hopkins came on to pitch. Hopkins allowed two runs after a walk, a fielder’s choice to home, and a two-out double which scored both runners, making it 13-3. Hopkins tallied one and two-thirds innings of work,
allowing a hit and two earned runs while striking out two and walking one.
“Luke Hopkins threw very well, a lot of strikes and mixed in a couple of good curveballs,” said head coach Ian Power of his relief pitcher.
In the fourth inning, Louis Sandonato singled to short and beat out the throw. Hopkins singled down the right field line, but Sandonato was called out advancing to third. Pat McGann came on to pitch in the bottom of the inning, and hit his first two batters and allowed a single, loading the bases with no outs. Brogan Chambers made a nice play at third by throwing out the runner at home on a fielder’s choice, keeping the bases loaded with one out.
Reading was able to score two runs on a fielder’s choice by Power, who got the out at second base, but the runners from second and third both scored, making it 15-3. The game ended by mercy rule after Reading singled, and the runner from first scored after an overthrow to third from center field. The final score was 16-3.
Despite the loss, head coach Ian Power still had plenty of confidence in his boys.
“I think we can play with that team on a normal day. We have to take care of ourselves and make the plays we can make. Our guys haven’t been getting down even though we are struggling and that is a good sign,” said Power.
The Townies will next play a 3-6-1 Dover Sherborn team tomorrow, 5:45 p.m. at Sullivan Memorial Field in Wakefield.
