WEYMOUTH – For the first time in school history, the Sturgis West baseball team will visit the postseason after the Navigators (8-7) defeated host South Shore Christian Academy Wednesday, 13-0.
Sturgis West’s Chris Parkin helped the Navigators clinch the program’s first-ever postseason bid Wednesday.
Sean Walsh/Capecod.com Sports
Sturgis East (10-8) clinched its fourth straight postseason visit Wednesday at Lowell Park in Cotuit with a 17-2 win over Sacred Heart (Kingston).
As the schedule plays out, Sturgis West will visit Sturgis East in an interschool rivalry this afternoon at 4:00 pm at Lowell Park in Cotuit.
The Navigators’ Max O’Hare notched the win on the mound over South Shore Christian after tossing two innings and allowing one hit. He walked two and struck out four. Steven Horn also threw two innings, walked three and allowed one hit while Trevor McDonald allowed no hits in one inning of work in a game that was shortened due to the mercy rule.
Following their historic win, the team celebrated on the field as if they had just won the World Series.
“It’s huge,” said Sturgis West first-year head coach Kyle Russell. “It feels great. I’m excited for these kids because they’ve earned it. They worked hard and did what they were told and it paid off.”
Navigators’ leadoff man Jonathan Avis set the tone for the tourney-bound West boys with a 3-4 day at the plate and three runs scored. Chris Parkin went 3-4 as well with a double and two RBI.
While Sturgis West was off-Cape busy clinching its first –ever postseason appearance, Sturgis East was busy back home putting a 17-2 hammer down on visiting Sacred Heart in a 19-hit, 17-run barrage that sealed the Storm’s fourth-straight postseason visit. This season marks the first time for East, however, that it has played a 20-game schedule.
Sturgis East southpaw ace Kyle Coolidge turned in a complete game win Wednesday to help The Storm clinch a postseason berth.
Sean Walsh/Capecod.com Sports
“It’s been a little tough on our pitching staff as we’ve had weeks with five games,” said East Head Coach John Havey. “I’m proud of these guys. They’ve scraped every inch of the way.”
Storm southpaw ace Kyle Coolidge went the distance for the win, with five strikeouts. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks. He helped his own cause by going 2-4 with an RBI, but his teammates’ three-run first inning proved all The Storm would need to afford their top hurler the victory.
East catcher Jared Joy, Cooper Gavin and Joey Colesano provided the backbone of the offensive onslaught for the Storm in the win, with Joy going 4-4 with two doubles, 2 RBI and four runs scored. Gavin 3-4 with four RBI, including a double and Colesano went 4-4 with four runs scored.
Kevin Agostinelli added a 2-4 day at the plate with a pair of doubles and one RBI.
“The boys had something to prove today,” Coach Havey said. “They were upset with their recent play and wanted to put in a strong effort today.”
— Sean Walsh is the sports editor for www.capecod.com. His email is [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @coachwalshccbm
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
