Willie Sinclair games in full swing
Westminster falls to Chuck Stone, 11-10
Westminster's 11-year-old Willie Sinclair squad lost a heartbreaker on Tuesday, July 25, falling to Chuck Stone of Athol, 11-10. Westminster had a 10-2 lead going in to the sixth inning but Athol stormed back with 9 runs to win the game by a run. Westminster hit well throughout the night, but couldn't get on base in their final at bat. In the batter's box, Max Rameau and Seamus Bell each had two hits; Liam Murphy, Evan Phillips, and Alex DeMarco contributed one a piece. Cam Estelle, Trevor Garofano, Tommy Loomis, Trevor Davis, Derek Wegener exhibited fine base running - stealing bases every time they reached first. Zach Despres turned a nice play for an out in the 2nd and Jason Davis handled short in the early innings. Westminster's starting pitcher, Bell pitched strong through five innings before being pulled with the game 10-2. Bell allowed 2 runs, struck out 8 batters, and allowed two hits, including a two-run homer by Athol 's Chavette in the third inning. Melanson went the distance on the mound for Athol. Westminster's record is now 2-2. Their next game is against Narragansett on Saturday, July 29, at 1 p.m., at the Westminster Little League field.

Westminster's Willie Sinclair 11-year-olds kept the crowd on their toes Tuesday, July 25, as they hosted Athol's Chuck Stone. (Above) Westminster's Seamus Bell tries to tip-toe his way over Athol's first baseman. Bell was called out on the force. (Right) Westminster's Evan Phillips makes a terrific play as he leaps from his shortstop position and snags a fly ball before making its way to left field. Phillips catch ended the inning.

Westminster bats noisy in Orange

The bats of Westminster's Willie Sinclair came alive in Orange on Sunday, July 23, as they handed Orange a 13-6 defeat in a game in which Westminster took full advantage of Orange's many errors. Orange rallied a bit in the late innings, but Westminster's cushion of runs and heads up play kept the game out of reach. Trevor Garofano, Tommy Loomis, Max Rameau, Cam Estelle, Liam Murphy, Zach Despres, Derek Wegener, Jay Davis, and Trevor Davis led Westminster's hit parade. Westminster jumped out with a 3-0 lead after its first at bat. Rameau singled, Garofano singled and delivered Westminster's first run. Cam Estelle banged a single to deliver two RBIs, including Wegener, who reached on a walk. Orange answered back in the first, securing two runs, but fine fielding on the part of Westminster kept Orange in check as they left men stranded in scoring position. In the second, Murphy led off with a single up the middle; Despres doubled to right and batted in a run; Evan Phillips drew a walk; Rameau walked; and Garofano reached on a throwing error to first while Phillips scored. Wegener's hit delivered Rameau and Garofano scored on a wild pitch. Westminster had its quickest inning in the third, with Rameau's two K's and Seamus Bell's put out at short. Westminster widened the lead to 9-2 in the fourth when Garofano nailed a triple to deep center that delivered Rameau. Garofano later scored on an error. In the fifth, Loomis's first of two doubles - a line drive to deep center delivered Despres who had reached on a walk. Trevor Davis beat out a throw over the first baseman's head and Jay Davis' infield hit combined with another bobbled play landed him safely on first. In the sixth, Loomis drove in Westminster's final two runs with a solid stand up double - delivering Alex DeMarco and Estelle who reached on walks. Rameau was Westminster's starting pitcher, and allowed only 2 runs during four solid innings of work. In relief, Despres saw his first tournament action in the fifth inning. Phillips was Westminster's closer. With Orange looming on base, Phillips made a nice out on a ball hit to the mound and K'd the final batter.

Hitting and fielding too much for Winchendon

In the heat On Sunday night, July 16, the Westminster Willie Sinclair team defeated Winchendon 9-1, Westminster's bats, combined with their fine fielding performance, got the job done. Clearly, Westminster came to win, evidenced by seven enthusiastic Westminster players jumping into the act when a Winchendon player found himself outnumbered in a lengthy pickle between second and third. Starting pitcher Max Rameau connected for two singles and a double; Seamus Bell doubled and singled; Evan Phillips, Cam Estelle, Derek Wegener and Liam Murphy each singled. Rameau had an excellent outing, striking out 12 Winchendon batters, including a K of the final batter of the game.

Jason Davis made a great catch on a deep fly to left field in the bottom of the sixth. Trevor Davis took care of hot corner; Trevor Garofano handled centerfield; Tommy Loomis took care of right field; and Zach Despres stayed busy at second base. Alex Demarco was sidelined for Westminster with an injury. Westminster's first run came when Max Rameau scored in the first on a passed ball. At the end of third it was a 5-1 game after Jason Davis walked; Rameau singled; Bell doubled to left, and Estelle knocked in 2 more Westminster RBIs. In the fourth, Despres and Jason Davis drew walks, Garofano reached after being hit in the knee; Bell singled; and Rameau's two-bagger brought home Westminster's final runs.