BROCKTON, Mass – Braintree’s goal since their February preseason meeting was to make the Super 8. Now the Wamps are in the State Champion and two wins away from being crowed State Champions.
In the Trojans loss starter Jack Connolly threw 11 strikeouts, had four walks (three hit batters), allowing seven earned runs on nine hits. Erik MacDonald went 4-5 with 2 RBIs.
“I’m so happy for our team and the Bay State Conference. It’s a testament to our league with both Newton North and ourselves playing for the Division 1A State Championship said Head Coach William O’Connell after the 9-2 victory.
In 2013, the Wamps were one of several victims of Bridgewater-Raynham en route to their first MIAA Division 1 State Championship, taking a 12-0 loss on the in the South Quarterfinals.
"Last year they smoked us 12-0, so we really wanted them," said Bobby McNiff, who struck out three and allowed three hits and an earned run in seven complete innings. "It felt really good. We knew we could beat them.”
After knocking in three runs in the seventh to pad the 4-1 lead Braintree blew the game open to a 7-1 lead. The Wamps continued to threaten all inning.
In the Trojans loss starter Jack Connolly threw 11 strikeouts, had four walks (three hit batters), allowing seven earned runs on nine hits. Erik MacDonald went 4-5 with 2 RBIs.
“I’m so happy for our team and the Bay State Conference. It’s a testament to our league with both Newton North and ourselves playing for the Division 1A State Championship said Head Coach William O’Connell after the 9-2 victory.
In 2013, the Wamps were one of several victims of Bridgewater-Raynham en route to their first MIAA Division 1 State Championship, taking a 12-0 loss on the in the South Quarterfinals.
"Last year they smoked us 12-0, so we really wanted them," said Bobby McNiff, who struck out three and allowed three hits and an earned run in seven complete innings. "It felt really good. We knew we could beat them.”
After knocking in three runs in the seventh to pad the 4-1 lead Braintree blew the game open to a 7-1 lead. The Wamps continued to threaten all inning.
Matthew Bickford got the save in the Wamps semi-final victory recording four strikeouts. After an easy ground ball to the first basemen to end the game an ignited Bickford jumped into the arms of catcher Gino LaRossa before being swarmed by their teammates
That sets up a rubber match with Bay State Conference rival Newton North for the Super 8 Final on Monday afternoon. The Wamps, who are the only team to beat the Tigers this season, splitting the season series –- must win the next two games to emerge as state champions. Should they beat the Tigers on Monday, there would be a winner-takes-all final on Thursday.
Braintree really let the victory soak in. After being the focal-point of their season the Wamps dreams are within grasp. Player snapped photos of the scoreboard and with each other. During the post-game interview O’Connell got the famous Gatorade shower from his players.
“As a team we are taking this victory in, since the preseason meeting we had one major objective –make the Super 8. Now we are in the final” exclaimed Colin Rios.
That sets up a rubber match with Bay State Conference rival Newton North for the Super 8 Final on Monday afternoon. The Wamps, who are the only team to beat the Tigers this season, splitting the season series –- must win the next two games to emerge as state champions. Should they beat the Tigers on Monday, there would be a winner-takes-all final on Thursday.
Braintree really let the victory soak in. After being the focal-point of their season the Wamps dreams are within grasp. Player snapped photos of the scoreboard and with each other. During the post-game interview O’Connell got the famous Gatorade shower from his players.
“As a team we are taking this victory in, since the preseason meeting we had one major objective –make the Super 8. Now we are in the final” exclaimed Colin Rios.
The Bay State Conference is one of three leagues in the MIAA to use wood bats during league contests. Per League Constitution teams from the Bay State Conference who meet in the postseason must switch to wooden bats for the contest(s). This said we now have an All-Public School, All-Bay State Conference, and All-Wooden Bat Super 8 Division 1A State Final.
O’Connell added “There is something special about an all wood final, and this State Championship is going to be something you don’t want to miss.”
Braintree who has been o the brink of elimination throughout most of the tournament still has work to do. The Wamps must win two against Newton North to secure the crown while the Tigers only need one, in true double-elimination on tournament fashion.
For Braintree the motto is three simple words spoken by first-basemen Dylan Casserly “Why not us?”
O’Connell added “There is something special about an all wood final, and this State Championship is going to be something you don’t want to miss.”
Braintree who has been o the brink of elimination throughout most of the tournament still has work to do. The Wamps must win two against Newton North to secure the crown while the Tigers only need one, in true double-elimination on tournament fashion.
For Braintree the motto is three simple words spoken by first-basemen Dylan Casserly “Why not us?”
Photos from Braintree vs B-R
All photos are courtesy of Staff Writer Brian McLoughlin