The Newburyport Legion team will live to see another day, and perhaps no team is better positioned to capture a state title.
Facing elimination yesterday afternoon, the Nor'Easters recorded a convincing 11-0 victory over host Chicopee in a game that was called after seven innings in accordance to the mercy rule.
Recent Triton Regional High graduate Cam Kneeland pitched five scoreless innings to earn the win. The reigning Cape Ann League player of the year allowed one hit and did not issue a walk. He recorded six strike outs.
"I wouldn't say I was nervous because I've pitched in big games before," said Kneeland, who will red-shirt at UMass Lowell next spring. "I have a lot of confidence in the guys behind me. As soon as we got one run, I was more comfortable. But we kept piling it on, and that made my job very easy: Just throw strikes."
In a risky move that now looks wise, Newburyport coach Tim Southall saved his ace — Brooks standout Michael Johnson — for the third game in the double-elimination tournament. The left-hander will start this afternoon against the loser of this morning's match-up between Lowell and Weymouth.
"I think he's the best pitcher we have," Kneeland said. "Most teams have been rotating two or three pitchers all year, so they're going to be at the end of their rotations. We'll have our best pitcher, and we have four good ones."
Georgetown High standout Joe Esposito, who also is the quarterback of the school's football team, was 4 for 4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Recent Georgetown graduate Tim Holland was 3 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Recent Pentucket graduate Justin Bolla was 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Amesbury High soon-to-be senior David Smith was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Amesbury High alumnus Roman Mondalto was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
"The guys responded very well (to Tuesday's loss to Hanover)," Southall said. "We played sound defense and had disciplined bats. The guys are excited, and we're playing confident baseball right now. We're looking forward to (today's) game."
Six teams remain in the eight-team tournament as Chicopee and East Longmeadow were dealt their second losses yesterday. Southall said Kneeland could return to the mound as early as tomorrow; he only threw 55 pitches in five innings.
"I could see him being used in a relief role later in the tournament," Southall said. "It'll be nice to get something similar out of him later this week."
