WMHS nine (1-1) shut out by Minutemen, 9-0

ROBBIE FOSSETT tags out a Lexington runner at third base. (Jim Vaiknoras Photo)

Published in the April 20, 2018 edition.

By NOAH GREIF

WAKEFIELD — While other WMHS spring squads have been practicing this week, the baseball team has been trying to catch up on regular season games, putting them in a pickle. Field conditions at Walsh Field have not been ideal, forcing a delay in the season as well as pushing the diamond men to hold many practices inside the past few weeks.

To make matters worse, the Warriors matched up against a deep, fast and athletic team in Lexington. They took on the Minutemen at Walsh Field at 3 p.m. on Wednesday after a postponement from 10 a.m., and suffered a 9-0 loss.

The Warrior lineup faced Jack Pawloski, a tough, hard-throwing, six-foot-four lefty. The southpaw was able to silence the Warrior bats in six innings pitched, while only giving up one hit, and striking out nine.

First-year coach, Kevin Canty, stressed, “We definitely need to improve, especially at the plate. We struck out, I believe, 11 or 12 times, six of the first nine guys in the top of the order. That can’t happen. If we strike out that many times were going to be in big trouble. We need to have a better approach with two strikes, and put more balls into play.”

Wakefield also faced a tough offense, as they gave up 13 hits. Senior lefty Pat Roche surrendered six runs on seven hits over four innings, striking out three.

“Lexington has a pretty good team overall,” said Canty. “I think we were a little bit in awe, especially about the shortstop, who’s going to Boston College, and is a pretty good player.”

There were some positive moments in the game, as Wakefield rallied in the seventh. Jake Nardone crushed a double into the gap, breaking up the no-hitter for Pawloski. Nardone later advanced to second on a passed ball. Jordan Fauci was able to draw a walk, and stole second base. The Warriors were unable to score, but had some momentum going into their next game, as Canty told his team, “How we respond to a game like this is going to dictate a lot of how we’re going to do going forward.”

Wakefield will take on Burlington Saturday at 3 p.m. at Walsh Field. Burlington beat Winchester on Wednesday, just as Wakefield did in the opening game of the season.

Canty described the upcoming game as “A similar type game. [Burlington] might not be quite as talented as Lexington, but they’re probably going to be better than Winchester in our first game. So we need to step up and be able to play like I think we’re capable of playing, and not worry about making mistakes.”

With that in mind, the Warriors look to tally another win after a tough loss.