Spy Ponders Let One Slip

After qualifying for the state tournament Monday, the Arlington High baseball team had a letdown game Wednesday at Weston.

The Spy Ponders (10-8) lost 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning to a Weston team (8-12) they beat 14-6 at home earlier this season.

Arlington coach Dan Hirsch said his players have the physical tools, but sometimes lack the mental focus it takes to win in the Dual County League.

"We lost the game today because we didn't play hard enough," he said. "When that happens, you got to take a good look in the mirror."

Down 5-2 after the fifth inning, Arlington scored two in the top of the sixth and one in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 5-5.

In the bottom of the seventh, with Jonathan Matos on the mound, third baseman Kyle Hood robbed Weston's first hitter of a double by snagging a hard line-drive over his head. Matos then walked the next batter and was pulled for reliever Brian Mazzola.

Mazzola loaded the bases with one out, walking the first batter he faced and giving up an infield single to the next. He got the next batter to hit a groundball to third base. Hood threw home for one out, and catcher Rob Shea tried for the double play at first base but was a hair too late.

Mazzola then hit Weston shortstop Zach Cannon, letting the winning run walk across home plate.

Hurler Byron Johnson started for the Spy Ponders and struck out eight in four innings of work. He gave up five runs, only two earned, on four hits before being relieved by Matos.

Arlington got two runs in the second inning off a bloop single by J.P. Calcaterra, who had three of his team's 10 hits.

In the sixth inning, Shea hit an RBI triple to knock in first baseman Dan Fitzgerald, who singled to start the inning. Hood, a freshman, then got Shea home on a groundout to make it 5-4 Weston.

Shea hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the seventh to tie the game.

Arlington concludes its regular season by hosting the Holovak and Coughlin Memorial Day tournament this weekend. The Spy Ponders play Arlington Catholic at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Medford and Malden Catholic square-off at 1:30 p.m.