Raiders Dominate Weston in Baseball Playoff Opener

With the mercury in the thermometer tickling 90 degrees, Enfield High School's representatives of the great summer pastime sizzled to a 10-2 victory over Weston in the playoff opener Tuesday afternoon. Led by the brilliant pitching of ace Justin Thomas, the Raiders' offense chipped in with run support and won convincingly.

A small crowd, which grew as the game wore on, was treated to a dominating victory by the home team. Braving a hot sun, they had plenty to cheer both from the pitching and hitting of their beloved Raiders.

With a record of 14-5 and a number 5 ranking, Enfield was the statistical favorite. Weston, sporting a 9-11 record and ranked 28th in the tournament, was the more animated and vocal squad at the game's commencement.

The Trojans got off to a promising start, putting the first two batters on base, a leadoff single by Charles Ameer and a walk to Alex Merberg. This marked the biggest threat they were to muster all afternoon. It quickly fell apart, however, as Thomas shut the offense down by forcing an infield fly and striking out two batters.

Enfield poured on the offense in the second, led by an RBI triple by Matt Nicewicz bringing Joe Turcotte home. The barrage continued, helped along by a wild pitch and a throwing error by the Trojans, and by the time the inning was through, Enfield had a 4-0 lead - more runs than Thomas would need.

Highly-regarded Weston starter J-jay Lane struggled through the fourth inning when he was pulled after allowing seven runs. Ameer pitched well in relief, but the game was never in doubt. The Trojan offense was anemic, scoring only two runs on seven hits.

“Not his best outing,” a Weston supporter remarked about Lane, “he's a better pitcher than he showed today."

Weston thought they might spark a comeback in the sixth, with Jim Sauzone hammering a leadoff double and being driven home by a single by Lane. Thomas slammed the door quickly, striking out the next three batters and crushing any hope of a comeback for the Trojans.

Enfield scored runs in the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings, methodically and efficiently dismantling their opponent.

When all was said and done, Thomas allowed two runs on six hits, with two walks and an impressive 10 strikeouts. John Cerrato closed out a scoreless seventh in relief.

The Raiders (15-5) continue their playoff run with another home game Wednesday, hosting No. 21 Bethel (11-7) at 3:30 p.m.