Norwood's Fast Pitching Stumbles Needham

Needham Post 14 just couldn't keep up with the quick pitching of Norwood Post 70, falling 10-0 under the lights Thursday night.

Norwood took an early three runs by the third inning, shutting out Needham for the time being. Three quick runs moments later made for a comfortable 6-0 lead.

"We went up against the better ball club tonight, that's all it is," said John Gallello, head coach of Needham. "They're a lot better ball club. We're young and we're not."

When pitcher Mike Goodwin complained of elbow pain early on, Norwood head coach Paul Samargedlis swapped him with Brandon Davis—a newbie to the position up until last night's game.

Any worries about Davis' lack of ability to step up to the plate when it was needed were dashed once Needham realized they weren't getting any runs.

"He hasn't pitched all year, Davis," Samargedlis said. "He was the ace of the Norwood High staff two years ago, so you know he showed us that he had enough rest."

Needham's Peter Madsen helped his team get to second base in the forth inning, but frequent strikeouts plagued the team and halted any other lucky breaks.

Norwood picked up the pace during the fifth inning, with Peter Kelly and Sean Keady picking up a few more runs. A complete shutout loomed for Needham, ending the fifth without any runs on the board.

The lack of seniors on Needham's bench combined with Davis' ability on the mound made for a game that "hurt," but it's "definitely a learning experience" the team can take moving forward, Gallello said.

"That pitcher … I haven't seen a kid turn that fast," he said. "They've got talent [and] they got what they deserved."

Needham's loss Thursday places them 1-11, last in the district standings. They play Ashland Post 77 at 5:45 p.m. July 7 at Ashland Middle School.