Summer Season 2016
Massachusetts Legion Baseball State Tournament
All games played at Pete Wall Field – Balch School, Norwood
Day 1: Saturday July 23
Game 1: Milton 9 South Attleboro 5
Game 2: Shrewsbury 14 Peabody 2
Game 3: Pittsfield 11 Wareham 8
Game 4: Norwood 7 Lowell 6
Day 2: Sunday July 24
Game 5: South Attleboro 15 Peabody 1
Game 6: Wareham 2 vs Lowell 5
Game 7: Milton 9 vs Pittsfield 19
Game 8: Norwood 0 vs Shrewsbury 10
Day 3: Monday July 25
Game 9: Lowell 11 vs Milton 7
Game 10: Norwood 10 vs South Attleboro 5
Game 11: Shrewsbury 7 vs Pittsfield 3
Day 4: Tuesday July 26
Game 12: Pittsfield 14 vs Norwood 8
Game 13: Lowell 11 vs Shrewsbury 10
Day 4: Wednesday July 27
Game 14: Pittsfield 8 vs Lowell 7
Game 15: Shrewsbury 9 vs Pittsfield 5
July 27 Wednesday Schedule
Shrewsbury won the State Title by defeating defending champion Pittsfield 9-5. Both teams will move onto the New England Regional tournament scheduled to begin next week in Bristol, CT. Massachusetts has 2 representatives because of the number teams participating in Legion baseball in the state. Prior to the championship game, Pittsfield beat Lowell 8-7 to advance to the title game.
Tournament Tidbits: There were no weather delays during the 5-day tournament but all day games were played in 90 degree plus, humid weather. The Balch Field and new lights held up well. The Town of Norwood Public Works did an excellent jobs preparing the field and the pre and post game crews did a commendable job making sure the field was ready for each game. The Parents of Norwood High School Football ran the concessions for the tournament. The sunny weather had its downside. The sun was brutal for right fielders especially during the 4:30 games. There were more than few misplayed fly balls to right during these games. In the Milton-Pittsfield game, a Pittsfield batter hit line drive to the right-center field gap, the Milton right fielder has yet to move. In the 9th inning of the semi-final game between Pittsfield and Lowell, with the score 8-7, 2 outs and an 0-2 count on the batter, the Pittsfield pitcher hung a curveball to the Lowell clean-up hitter who absolutely crushed a drive down line left field line, as the batter turned to his teammates in the first-base dugout and yelled to his teammates “We aren’t done yet!”, the ball, well over the screen in left, curved just foul. The batter took a called 3rd strike on the next pitch to end the game and send Pittsfield into the championship game and onto the New England Regionals. The Town of Norwood should be commended on running a 1st Class event. Norwood Manager Paul Samargedlis relayed that Comcast would be more than willing to televise the state legion championship tournament if there was a central site. This would enable them to get sponsors and lay the infrastructure for presenting the event on a yearly basis.
July 26 Tuesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70’s season came to an end with a 14-8 loss to eventual tournament runner-up and 2015 State Champion, Pittsfield. Pittsfield was up 11-0 as a result of Norwood miscues and a lack of focus. Norwood hurler Michael James entered the game with 1-out in the 4th and on his second pitch, surrendered a 3-run homer to right field on a golf swing off a down-and-in fast ball. This made the score 14-0. From this point on, MJ shutdown Pittsfield but Norwood could only make up 8 of the runs. It was too little, too late. Norwood finished 2-2 in the state tournament but after just missing out on the district playoffs, Norwood proved that they could play with the state’s elite and belonged. The outlook for Norwood baseball is bright.
July 25 Monday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 bounced back with a solid 10-5 victory over South Attleboro. South Attleboro jmped out to a 4-0 lead early only to see Norwood chip away with a couple of runs before exploding for a 6-run 7th inning with the big blow being provided by Jake O’Rourke. Nobles Eddie Duggan picked up the win for Norwood in relief.
July 24 Sunday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost to Shrewsbury 10-0. This game was 1-0 heading into the top of the 7th inning when Norwood’s defense along with some well placed hits doomed Norwood. Norwood’s lack of offense was just as guilty in this game. Not to be overlooked was Norwood hurler Chris Petracca who gave up 1 unearned run in the 1st and pitched masterful until the 7th when the game ended abruptly.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 lost to nemesis Franklin 13-3 to end their season. Norwood jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before the wheels fell off. Some uncharacteristic fielding led to an abrupt end to the Junior successful season. The future is bright.
Saturday updates:
Norwood Legion Post 70 defeated Lowell 7-6 at Balch Field in their 1st game in Mass Legion State Tournament. Norwood was led by the pitching of Brian King and Sean Mellon. Mike Keady delivered the winning run after a long triple by Chris Petracca leading off the 9th.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 lost a tough one last night to host Greenfield, losing 4-3 in 9 innings on what amount to a swinging bunt between the pitcher’s mound and first base. Norwood had taken a 3-2 lead in the bottom half of the 6th but gave up the tying run in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. The loss ends the team’s 10 game winning streak. They can start another streak today, as they play at 12:30 in the loser’s bracket.
July 23 Saturday Schedule
Norwood Legion hosting Massachusetts State Legion Tournament
Mass Legion State Tournament begins at 9:30am with 4 games scheduled to be played. Tournament continues tomorrow with 4 more games in this double-elimination format. The tournament is scheduled to go until Wednesday night when a champion will be crowned. Legion Brackets
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 is also playing in the Junior Legion State Tournament being played in Greenfield. Norwood has drown the short straw and will play host Greenfield tonight in a tough opening match at 7:30. Like the Norwood Legion tournament, Junior tournament is double-elimination and will continue to Wednesday. If Norwood wins tonight they will again play the night game tomorrow night. Jr Legion Brackets
July 20 Wednesday Schedule
Norwood Jr Legion wins District Tournament
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 defeated regular season champion Franklin to win the District Tournament in a game played in Braintree. It was a come-from-behind 8-6 victory. Franklin earned the right to play Norwood by beating Braintree with a walk-off 2 run bottom of the 7th win in a game played at 5:00pm. After their last inning win over Braintree, Franklin kept their momentum going by jumping out to 5-0 lead on Norwood in the top of the 1st. Norwood chipped away making the score 5-2, then 5-4, then 6-4 before scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th for the final score of 8-6. Norwood downed Franklin twice during the tournament.
Norwood now heads to the Massachusetts Junior Legion tournament scheduled to begin in Greenfield this weekend. They will be riding a 10 game win streak. Norwood’s season record is 18-6. Congratulations are in order to Manager Dan Harrington along with coaches, Brother Bobby Harrington and Dad Bob Harrington. They are extremely proud of the way the team has improved and played. They also know there is more fun to be had in Greenfield especially with the way the team is playing.
July 17 Sunday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 defeated Braintree 2-1 at Memorial Field in Dedham. Norwood will now wait until Wednesday to see who they will play. It will either be Franklin, Morrisette or Braintree. Norwood needs to win one more game to win the tournament.
Going into tonight’s game, Norwood and Braintree are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the tournament. Norwood downed Newton Friday night 10-0 lead by ace Matt Rice. Saturday night Norwood defeated nemesis regular season 1st place finisher Franklin 6-4 lead by the pitching of Mike James. MJ went all 7 innings in a masterful performance were he constantly kept the Franklin hitters off balance with an array pitches and varying speeds. Norwood took a quick lead in the first on a leadoff walk to Tiago Gomes followed by a 2-run homer by MJ. With the score 2-1 entering the 5th Sean Munro delivered a base loaded single that cleared the bases. Franklin chip away to make the score 5-4 but a clutch 2-out single in the top of the 7th by Jay Wladkowski add a key insurance run. Mike Dooley had 3 solid hits to add to the attack. Norwood is riding an 8 game winning streak entering tonight’s game.
July 16 Saturday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 beat Franklin 6-4. Norwood defeated nemesis regular season 1st place finisher Franklin 6-4 lead by the pitching of Mike James. MJ went all 7 innings in a masterful performance were he constantly kept the Franklin hitters off balance with an array pitches and varying speeds. Norwood took a quick lead in the first on a leadoff walk to Tiago Gomes followed by a 2-run homer by MJ. With the score 2-1 entering the 5th Sean Munro delivered a base loaded single that cleared the bases. Franklin chip away to make the score 5-4 but a clutch 2-out single in the top of the 7th by Jay Wladkowski add a key insurance run. Mike Dooley had 3 solid hits to add to the attack. Norwood is riding an 8 game winning streak entering tonight’s game.
July 15 Friday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 defeated Newton 10-0 lead by the pitching of Matt Rice.
July 12 Tuesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost to Foxboro 17-7 at Balch. The eliminated Norwood from the district playoffs. Norwood’s season is not over as they will be hosting the State Legion Tournament starting Saturday, July 23rd at the Balch Field.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 beat Westwood 12-2 to end the regulat season with a 14-6 record and an 6 game winning streak.
July 11 Monday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost to Needham 20-16 at Balch Field.
July 10 Sunday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 beat Medfield 5-4 at Medfield HS.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 swept Hudson 8-5 and 6-0. Thursday morning the Juniors were 8-6 and fighting for a playoff spot. After playing 5 games in 4 days they are 13-6 and moving up.
July 9 Saturday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 beat Needham for the 2nd night in row.
July 8 Friday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost to Franklin 3-2 at Balch Field.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 beat Newton 6-4.
July 7 Thursday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 beat Walpole 4-3 at Balch Field.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 beat a tough Newton team 8-5 at Newton.
July 6 Wednesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 defeated Norfolk 2-1 at Balch Field.
July 5 Tuesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 won at Foxboro 6-3
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 lost to visiting 1st place Franklin 14-9 and now sits at 8-6 on the season. With 6 games remaining, Norwood looks to improve its playoff seeding with a hot run down the stretch.
June 30 Thursday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost at home to Westwood 11-6.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 routed Hudson 21-10. Norwood’s first 8 batters of the game reached base and scored in the lopsided win. Matt Rice picked up another win for Post 70 as the bats really came alive with 20 hits.
Babe Ruth League State Tournament play-in:
Norwood BRL 14 year olds defeated District 4 runner-up Braintree 9-2 to qualify for the EMass South State Tournament. Matt Ferreira pitched a complete game for Norwood to lead the way. Norwood scored 6 runs in the top of the 6th to break open a 3-2 game. John Lightizer’s squad play host Plymouth next Thursday July 7th.
June 29 Wednesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 beat Needham 13-2 at Balch Field.
June 28 Tuesday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 losts a close game to Westwood 2-0. Kyle Mackie was outstanding on the mound for Norwood pitching a complete game and only allowing 2 unearned runs in the 1st inning.
June 27 Monday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 beat Medfield 9-2 at Balch Field.
June 26 Sunday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost a tough one to Franklin 1-0 -at Balch Field.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 trounced host Needham 19-2 in a game played at Needham High School. Dan Gunning was outstanding pitching a complete game. Kevin Costello, Matt Jeannetti and Gunning led the way offensively with 3 hits apiece.
Babe Ruth League District 5 Tournaments continues:
Norwood BRL 14 year olds lost to Walpole 6-5. The 14s have one more chance to make the State Tournament. They will have a play-in game against the District 4 runner-ups Thursday in Dedham at Memorial. Norwood was down 6-2 going into the 7th when they mounted a comeback that unfortunately ended with the tying run on 2nd.
Norwood BRL 15 year olds defeated Walpole to win District 5 for the 3rd year in a row. Norwood won all 4 district games with 4 different pitchers – Colin Ridge, Kevin Costello, Matt Jeannetti and Tim Denehy. With the 3-peat Norwood moves to the Eastern Mass state tournament in Braintree starting July 8th. The team was led by Manager Pat McDonough Jr and coaches Pat McDonough Sr and Charlie Doyle. Having finished 2nd in the EMass tournament 2 years in a row the team is focused on 1st place this year. Quiet and reserved team player, Colin Ridge said “We have some unfinished business to take care of'”, adding “what we have is a great opportunity… I am just so proud to be a member of this team”, as he tried to hold back his emotions.
Pictured front row, left to right: Joey Collins, Sammy Wong, Adam Islam, Jay Wladkowski, Colin Ridge, Tim Denehy, Danny Quinn, Andrew Cobuccio, Mark Murphy, Joey Ryan and Kevin Costello; Back row: Finn Kelley, Erik Danahy, Matt Jeannetti and Chris Martin.
June 25 Saturday Schedule
Babe Ruth League District 5 Tournaments continues:
Norwood BRL 13 year olds lost to Dedham 3-2.
Norwood BRL 14 year olds defeated Needham 10-0 behind Matt Ferreira’s No-Hitter.
June 24 Friday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost at Walpole 7-1.
Babe Ruth League District 5 Tournaments continues:
Norwood BRL 14 year olds beat Parkway
Norwood BRL 15 year olds beat Walpole 8-2.
June 23 Thursday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 bounced back to beat Franklin 4-3 in a gritty 9 inning game. Michael Dooley delivered a clutch 2 out hit in the bottom of the 7th to drive in the tying run. Jay Wladkowski drove in the winner in the 9th. Post 70 is getting contributions from all over and really showing their depth.
Babe Ruth League District 5 Tournaments continues:
Norwood BRL 13 year olds defeated Walpole 8-0 at Gormley Field. The 13s were lead by Sam Tomasello’s 1-hitter and Sean French’s 3-run homer. Next up, another elimination game, Norwood-Dedham Saturday 12:30 at Willett School.
June 22 Wednesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 defeated Norfolk 8-6 in 8 innings.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 lost to Franklin last night 7-3. Norwood settled down after a rough first inning, spotting Franklin a 4 run lead. Post 70 hit the ball well, but didn’t have much luck with many line drives being right at the Franklin defense.
June 21 Tuesday Schedule
Little League Town Champions
Major – Dodgers
AAA – Mariners
AA – Rockies
A – Sharks
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 downed Hudson last night at Balch, 3-2. Michael Dooley pitched 5 1/3 innings before giving way to Matt Rice to close it out. Norwood offense was led by Paul Murphy (3-3, RBI,Run), as well as Michael James and Paul Manning who provided key doubles in the win. Norwood improved to 5-3 on the season and is now riding a 4 game win streak.
June 20 Monday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 defeated Foxboro 11-0.
Babe Ruth League District 5 Tournaments continues:
Norwood BRL 13 year olds defeated Attleboro 10-1. Norwood was lead by the pitching of Robbie Wladkowski who went all 7 innings in his first start of the year. He also contributed a 3-run homer to put the game out of reach. sam Tomasello contributed 3 hits and some outstanding base running. 13s play the winner of the Franklin-Walpole game on Thursday night at 5:30 at Gormley Field on Wilson Street.
Norwood BRL 14 year olds downed Dedham 16-2. Aidan Prior pitched well for Norwood while David Hayes, John Cotter, Matt Ferreira and Michael Shore led the relentless attack. The 14s play the winner of tonights Westwood-Parkway game on Friday at 5:30 at the Willett Field.
Norwood BRL 15 year olds beat Dedham 9-6. Will play Walpole Friday at 5:30 at Heaphy Field at Memorial Park Dedham.
June 19 Sunday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 defeated Westwood 12-9.
Norwood Babe Ruth League Jansen Division Playoffs: White Sox defeated the Angels to win the Town Championship. This is the 6th championship in 7 years for John Lightizer and his White Sox.
Babe Ruth League District 5 Tournaments continues:
Norwood BRL 13 year olds lost to Dedham 4-3.
Norwood BRL 14 year olds lost to Needham 16-12.
Norwood BRL 15 year olds defeated Westwood 27-0 in 4 innings.
June 18 Saturday Schedule
Norwood Babe Ruth League Jansen Division Playoffs: White Sox downed the Angels 5-3 in the first game of the Championship 2-out-of-3 series. Ryan Martin pitching and a tremendous 2-run homer by 13 year old Robbie Wladkowski lead the way.
Babe Ruth League District 5 Tournaments begin:
Norwood BRL 13 year olds defeated Westwood 14-1.
Norwood BRL 14 year olds defeated Parkway in extra innings.
June 17 Friday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost at Needham 8-5.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 defeated Westwood a lot to a little.
Norwood Babe Ruth League Jansen Division Playoffs: Angels and Dodgers face-off in the 2nd game of their semifinal series. Angels beat the Dodgers Sunday 7-4. The series winner plays the White Sox. If Dodgers win the deciding game will be played Saturday at 10:00 at Willett.
June 16 Thursday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 finally found their bats and beat Westwood 12-3. Michael James and Paul Murphy hit back to back home runs to back Cam Flahive’s winning effort on the mound. Norwood’s 16 hits were spread about a Norwood lineup that could be dangerous when firing on all cylinders.
June 15 Wednesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 won at Medfield 9-7 in 9 innings.
Norwood Babe Ruth League Jansen Division Playoffs: The 4th place White Sox stunned the season champion Giants 2-0 to sweep the Best-of 3 series. 15 year old Tim Denehy faced 22 batters and 13 year old Robbie Wladkowski provided the key hit with a line drive double down the left field line.
June 14 Tuesday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 beat Needham 4-3. Paul Murphy collected his 2nd RBI of the night by driving in Timmy Denehy in the bottom of the 7th for the winning run. Kyle Mackie pitched 6 strong for Norwood and Michael Dooley piked up the win pitching the 7th inning.
June 13 Monday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 lost at Newton 4-0. Bats remained dormant.
June 12 Sunday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 defeated Walpole 11-10 at Balch Field in 8 innings. Danny Sullivan provided a 2-run walk-off double and Mike Keady picked up the win in relief.
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 lost to Franklin 4-2 in 10 innings. Matt Rice pitched 9 outstanding innings in a losing cause.
Norwood Babe Ruth League Jansen Division Playoffs: In the 1st round of the best-of-3 semifinals, the White Sox beat the regular season champion Giants 6-5 with Ryan Martin hurling a gem for winners. In the second semifinal game the Angels jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 1st inning and held on to beat the Dodgers, 7-4. Danny Quinn lead the way with a solid pitching effort.
June 11 Saturday Schedule
Norwood Babe Ruth League Jansen Division Playoffs: Single elimination games pit the White Sox defeated the Rangers 11-2 while the defending champion Dodgers downed the Cubs 11-4.
June 10 Friday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost to Norfolk 5-3.
Norwood Babe Ruth League Williams Division – Reds sweep Athletics to repeat as Champion. Congratulations to Jack O’Donnell and the Reds: Joseph Barry, Charles Dylan Burgess, Joe Phillips, Daniel Barron, Owen Ivory, Ryan Garczynski, Leonard Ivanoski, Timothy Khirallah, Calvin Meyer, Tommy O’Malley, Daniel Rodriguez, Mark Spring.
June 9 Thursday Schedule
Norwood Junior Legion Post 70 team hosts Newton for a season opening doubleheader at Balch Field with the 1st game beginning at 5:30. After a year’s absence the Junior team is back! Led by Dan and Bobby Harrington, the team has plenty of talent and lots of potential. Expectation are high but guarded in this very competitive league.
June 8 Wednesday Schedule
Norwood Legion Post 70 lost their season opener to Westwood 7-1.