Westminster victorious over Winchendon, but falls to Quabbin

Westminster first baseman Glen Viner sends a pitch "yard" during action against Winchendon. Viner's solo home run helped propel to advance in the Little League Tournament. JOURNAL PHOTO /JEFFREY W. BOUDREAU

The Westminster Little League All-Stars ended a good run after eliminating Fitchburg West and Winchendon in consecutive games, but falling to Quabbin on Saturday, July 7, in Petersham.

Westminster is now eliminated from the national tournament.

After a game delayed of over an hour on Thursday, July 5, while crews worked the rain drenched Winchendon Little League field, Westminster won the coin toss for a home field advantage and triumphed over Winchendon, 6-3, eliminating Winchendon from the tournament.

In the second inning, Glenn Viner connected for his second homer of the all-star tourney when he sent one sailing to center field. Tommy Loomis banged a single up the right field line and scored on a double to center by Max Rameau. Seamus Bell singled to center but was left stranded to end the inning.

Winchendon answered with a run in the top of the third, but Westminster turned up the heat when catcher Trevor Garofano threw out a base runner on a steal at second with the aid of shortstop Jason Davis. On the next play, third baseman Evan Phillips barehanded the ball to Loomis at first for the third out.

Westminster's starting pitcher Evan Phillips makes a delivery towards the plate during a 6-3 win against Winchendon on Thursday, July 5. JOURNAL PHOTO /JEFFREY W. BOUDREAU

Westminster mustered more runs in the bottom of the third when Bell lofted a single to left and Alex DeMarco was brought in to pinch run. Garofano knocked a double and brought in the third run for Westminster. Liam Murphy delivered a RBI single, but was called out trying to take second base.

Phillips connected for a RBI single in the bottom of the fourth scoring Loomis who led off the inning with a single.

A pop fly to DeMarco in centerfield brought a quick out in the top of the fifth, but Winchendon answered with two more runs in the third and closed the gap, 5-3.

Westminster produced their final run in the bottom fifth when Garofano doubled and reached on a scored on a wild pitch. A shot to deep center by Michael Cudak was caught on the warning track to end the inning.

A strike out by relief pitcher Trevor Davis, a fly ball to Bell in left, followed by a ground ball to Jason Davis at short who threw to Loomis for the out at first sealed the win.

Also notable was when Winchendon's first batter of the game launched a hard hit line drive to center field and was robbed on a fine play by Westminster's starting centerfielder Derek Wegener.

Starting pitcher Phillips gave up only three hits and struck out two batters in 1 1/3 innings of work. Phillips was pulled when his pitch count hit 20 and Rameau was brought in early for long relief. Rameau pitched well through 3 2/3 innings, striking out five, including three batters in the fourth inning, before reaching his maximum pitch count of 85 and being relieved by Trevor Davis. Davis gave up only one hit and had one strike out in his one inning of work.

Within seconds of the game ending, Winchendon's manager protested Westminster's win based on a Little League tournament rule. Following a consultation with the authorities at Little League headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut and the director of Massachusetts District 3 Little League, Westminster was officially granted the win.

On Saturday, July 7, the team did not fair as well.

Westminster suffered a tough 4-1 loss to Quabbin who overcame Westminster's rugged defense through to secure the win.

The team struck early against Quabbin when Seamus Bell doubled to right center scoring Evan Phillips who knocked a single in the first inning. Bell advanced to third on the throw but was left stranded.

Westminster's bats fell eerily quiet for the remainder of the game. Zach Despres drew a walk and moved to second when Derek Wegener singled in the second, but Westminster couldn't muster the runs. Jason Davis' lead off single in the third was Westminster's only other hit of the game.

Westminster held on to a 1-0 lead through the first three innings. Starting pitcher Bell, with impressive support by teammates in the field, held Quabbin hitless until the third and runless until the fourth inning. Bell worked a solid 4 2/3 innings, striking out five batters and allowing only six hits before reaching the maximum pitch count. Evan Phillips took the mound in relief, pitched 1 1/3 inning allowing one hit and striking out one batter.

Westminster's 2007 Little League All- Stars were managed by Erick Phillips and coached by Todd Davis and Rick Rameau.