ROCKLAND, Mass – Top-seeded Newton North continued to surge, and now has set themselves up to play for the Division 1A State Championship after defeating third-seeded Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans at Rockland’s Veteren Memorial Stadium.
Starting pitcher Teddy Rodliff and reliever and winning pitcher , combining to fire 98 of their 147 total pitches for strikes pounded the strike zone throughout the Tigers’ 7-5 win.
“Our pitchers weren't scared of the Bridgewater-Raynham line-up, but personally I was” said Tigers Head Coach Joe Sicilliano. “I almost got them scared but one of my assistants said ‘Joe, cut it out, we’re a good team.’ And those guys know that B-R is a good team, but we’re not too bad ourselves."
Newton North go got on the board early gaining a 4-0 lead after the second inning. Thomas Joyce, who went 3-4 at the plate knocked in the Tigers first run on a shallow single to right. Eventually the Tigers knocked in three more while batting through the line-up.
Bridgewater-Raynham didn’t let the four-run surge get to them, as with one swing of the bat Jonathan Livolsi blasted a two-run home-run over the short 320ft. Right Field fence, bring the Trojans within two.
Starting pitcher Teddy Rodliff and reliever and winning pitcher , combining to fire 98 of their 147 total pitches for strikes pounded the strike zone throughout the Tigers’ 7-5 win.
“Our pitchers weren't scared of the Bridgewater-Raynham line-up, but personally I was” said Tigers Head Coach Joe Sicilliano. “I almost got them scared but one of my assistants said ‘Joe, cut it out, we’re a good team.’ And those guys know that B-R is a good team, but we’re not too bad ourselves."
Newton North go got on the board early gaining a 4-0 lead after the second inning. Thomas Joyce, who went 3-4 at the plate knocked in the Tigers first run on a shallow single to right. Eventually the Tigers knocked in three more while batting through the line-up.
Bridgewater-Raynham didn’t let the four-run surge get to them, as with one swing of the bat Jonathan Livolsi blasted a two-run home-run over the short 320ft. Right Field fence, bring the Trojans within two.
“Livolsi’s home-run really sparked up the dugout, after coming off a mediocre second inning we had life again” added Bridgewater-Raynham Head Coach John Kearney.
The Trojans would add two more runs in the sixth, when B-R rallied and had bases load at two sperate occasions and tied the ballgame up at 4-4. Kearney added “When we tied the game at four, we had new life. Unfortunately we couldn't capitalize on the momentum.”
A trio of errors lead to Newton North scoring two runs in the seventh inning and one run in the eighth, giving the Tigers a solid 7-4 lead into the top of the ninth.
Down to their final three outs Bridgwater-Raynham refused to go down without a fight. Cory Wasylow knocked in Connor Sullivan to bring the Trojans within two, trailing 7-5. Sbordone wasn't phased and retired the final two batters to send the Tigers to the Division 1A State Championship.
“The lucky part about being in the Super 8 is that even though we lost our season continues, if this was just the Division 1 tournament this would be it for us, but we will be back on Sunday, and ready to win” pronounced Kearney.
Bridgewater-Raynham now has to play in the elimination bracket game Sunday at Campinelli Stadium in Brockton at 6pm against Braintree in a shot to play Newton North in the State Championship.
The Trojans would add two more runs in the sixth, when B-R rallied and had bases load at two sperate occasions and tied the ballgame up at 4-4. Kearney added “When we tied the game at four, we had new life. Unfortunately we couldn't capitalize on the momentum.”
A trio of errors lead to Newton North scoring two runs in the seventh inning and one run in the eighth, giving the Tigers a solid 7-4 lead into the top of the ninth.
Down to their final three outs Bridgwater-Raynham refused to go down without a fight. Cory Wasylow knocked in Connor Sullivan to bring the Trojans within two, trailing 7-5. Sbordone wasn't phased and retired the final two batters to send the Tigers to the Division 1A State Championship.
“The lucky part about being in the Super 8 is that even though we lost our season continues, if this was just the Division 1 tournament this would be it for us, but we will be back on Sunday, and ready to win” pronounced Kearney.
Bridgewater-Raynham now has to play in the elimination bracket game Sunday at Campinelli Stadium in Brockton at 6pm against Braintree in a shot to play Newton North in the State Championship.