Offensive Burst Continues as Stoughton High Baseball's Win Streak Reaches Six

After scoring 28 runs in their previous two games combined, the Stoughton High baseball team turned in another strong offensive performance Monday afternoon, traveling to Canton and coming away with a 9-3 victory. 

Stoughton (12-6), having already clinched a playoff berth, is playing to get as high a seed possible in the MIAA State Tournament.

The win is Stoughton's sixth win in a row, and it ends Stoughton's Hockomock schedule at 10-6 in the League. Canton is now 3-15. 

Junior Sam Werman got his second win against Canton this season, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings this time around, allowing 2 earned runs. Senior captain Will McGrath pitched the final 2 and 1/3 innings for the Knights without allowing a run.

The first five batters to come to the plate for the Black Knights in the top of the first all came around and scored to give Stoughton a 5-0 lead after just a half inning of baseball completed. 

Highlights included singles by senior captain Pat Jackman, an RBI single to left by junior Mike Gallagher, an RBI single to right by junior Pat Raeke, an RBI single to right by Werman, and an RBI single to right-center by McGrath.

Stoughton tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning. 

Jackman led off the inning with a single. He advanced to second on a throwing error by the second baseman. Gallagher reached on a fielder's choice moving Jackman to third. Gallagher stole second. A passed ball scored Jackman and moved Gallgher to third. A Raeke single to left scored Gallagher giving Stoughton a 7-2 lead.

Junior Kaleb Ballou hit an rbi double scoring Zach Gibb, who pinch ran for Raeke after he walked in the sixth. Raeke has now reached base 14 times in a row, an impressive streak he'll look to continue on Wednesday. 

In the seventh, McGrath scored after being hit in by Jackman to round out Stoughton's scoring on the afternoon.

Jackman, once again was impressed by the Stoughton offense, which has began to flourish down the stretch.

"We put up a five spot in the first and that kick started the offense. We kind of sat back for a little bit but the offense rolled along like it has been."

Connelly was also impressed with the bats Monday afternoon.

"The bats could not come alive at a better time. Its good to have the bats going into the tournament."

Connelly was also excited to pick up that 10th win against a Hockomock League foe.

"It is a real accomplishment getting 10 wins in this league. It is one of the toughest leagues in the state, where more than half the teams usually qualify."

Head Coach Mike Armour liked the fast start his team had, giving Werman run support right out the gate.

"The bats have been coming around. The guys are just starting to put the bat on the ball, and I think with our defense and our pitching kind of keeping us in games, if we can keep hitting the ball we are going to be a tough team to beat."

When asked if winning 10 games in the Hockomock met Stoughton's goal for this season, Armour preferred to look ahead to what is coming up for the Knights.

"We always look forward, and I think our goals right now, obviously we have the tournament berth and we would love to have a home tournament game in Stoughton, with these last two games depending on how the chips fall."

Armour added, "I know that would mean a lot to us, these guys, this town, so we are going to focus on these next two games. As far as a goal we don't want to stop playing. We are going to try and bring it, and put our best foot forward the rest of the way because this is crunch time."

Stoughton's next game is Wednesday when they host out of league opponent Lincoln-Sudbury. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. The regular season concludes Friday against Quincy.