Mustang Baseball Takes the Walk-Off Win Over Framingham

In the Bay State baseball league this year, any team can win on any given day, especially if a team can take advantage of a costly miscue.

This was the case Friday afternoon in Norwood’s 3-2 come from behind win over Framingham.

“We waited till the last minute and it worked out,” commented Norwood manager James Sweeney after the win.

With the Flyers holding on to a ninth inning lead of 2-1, Norwood’s Anthony Perriello slapped a single to right-center to put the tying run on base. Ryan Conley followed with a bunt down the third base line, which the Flyers third baseman could not pick up off the grass to put runners on at first and second with nobody out.

The Flyers then pulled a trick diversion play. Their first baseman yelled bunt and all the infielders ran in on Norwood hitter Billy Morrison who was not showing bunt. This froze Perriello at second who had a healthy lead off the base, while Flyers pitcher Rob Averill turned around to pick off Perriello, who had no chance at getting back in time, however, the second baseman couldn’t handle the throw and the ball trickled into the outfield for an error as both Perriello and Conley advanced on the base path.

It was the turning point in the game and the Mustangs could smell victory as they pounced on the opportunity.

Morrison took advantage by hitting a sacrifice fly to left scoring Perriello to tie the game at 2-2, while Conley advanced to third on the throw. This left the heroics up to pinch hitter P.J. King who lined a single to right to score Conley for the walk-off win for the Mustangs.

“This was a huge game for us,” said Sweeney, ”not just for today but for the rest of the year.”

The win puts the Mustangs at 6-8 and gives them hope in reaching the magical mark of 10 wins and qualifying for the MIAA Tournament this June.

The Flyers dropped to 5-9 on the year, and squandered a great pitching performance from Averill who shut out Dedham just last week.

“Rob has pitched great for us all year long," said Flyers head coach Dan Avery, “and he deserved better than that, to not field a bunt and then pick a guy off by ten feet and not catch the ball is a little disappointing.”

While the Flyers had a great pitching performance by Averill, Norwood had a gem by their JV call-up Kenny Michael who went seven innings, allowing four hits while fanning five in his first varsity start for the boys in blue.

“He kept us in the ballgame," said Sweeney. "And he threw strikes.”

The late inning surge proved that Norwood still has their sights on post-season play this year with two weeks left in the season.

“They knew it in the ninth inning and they made it happen and I give them all the credit in the world,” added Sweeney.