Stoughton High Baseball Starting to Hit Stride at Midpoint of Season

The Stoughton High baseball team defeated King Phil, 9-2, Monday afternoon on the road.

A host of Knights got in the action offensively including RBIs from Pat Jackman, Will McGrath, Mike Gallagher, Zach Gibb (2), Pat Raeke (2), and Jiovani Pires.

Gallagher pitched six innings for Stoughton allowing two runs, while striking out four. Will Mcgrath pitched the seventh inning for the Knights.

With the win, Stoughton improves to 6-4.

"Gallagher really came out dealing, throwing the ball well," Stoughton coach Mike Armour said. "We kind of busted out [offensively] in the third inning. I think our first seven runs were all two-out hits to get the runs in, and that to me - that's baseball."

The KP game marked the midpoint of the 20-game regular season. 

Through 10 games the Stoughton High baseball team has had its share of ups and downs, but seems to be hitting its stride as the first half of the season comes to an end, having won 6 of its last 7 games. 

The team needs four more wins to reach 10 wins for a berth in the MIAA state tournament. 

MIDSEASON REPORT

Results:

1.) Tues - 4/2 Stoughton vs. Attleboro  L, 4-0        
2.) Thurs - 4/4  Stoughton @ Franklin L, 12-5        
3.) Mon - 4/8  Stoughton vs. Taunton L, 2-1        
4.) Wed - 4/10   Stoughton @ Sharon W, 5-2        
5.) Mon -4/15  Stoughton vs. Brockton W, 4-2        
6.) Wed - 4/17  Stoughton @ Foxboro W, 7-0        
7.) Mon – 4/22 Stoughton @ Oliver Ames L, 9-5        
8.) Wed - 4/24  Stoughton vs. Milford W, 1-0        
9.) Fri - 4/26  Stoughton vs. Canton W, 5-0            
10.) Mon - 4/29 Stoughton @ King Philip, W 9-2   

Remaining Schedule:

11.) Wed - 5/1 Stoughton vs. Mansfield        
12.) Fri - 5/3  Stoughton @ North Attleboro       
13.) Mon - 5/6  Stoughton vs. Sharon        
14.) Wed - 5/8 Stoughton vs. Foxboro    
15.) Mon - 5/13 Stoughton vs. Oliver Ames    
16.) Wed - 5/15 Stoughton @ Milford        
17.) Fri - 5/17 Stoughton @ Brockton        
18.) Mon - 5/20 Stoughton @ Canton        
19.) Wed – 5/22  Stoughton vs. Lincoln Sudbury    
20.) Fri – 5/24  Stoughton vs. Quincy

Analysis:

Stoughton's pitching from the beginning of the year has been the strength of this team. 

Starting pitchers Gallagher, Mike Dixon, and McGrath have been the backbone of the team's success up to this point having carried the Knights on the mound. Sam Werman also notched a shutout in his start against Canton. 

Last year Stoughton had trouble having consistent games out of their offense, and that seems to be an area of weakness for the Knights through the first half of this season.

Jackman, a senior captain, agrees that the bats must stay consistent for Stoughton moving forward, but also likes how they have been able to turn it up offensively as of late.

"The bats have woken up which has been essential but we need to be consistent if we want to contend, meaning we need to get hits and score runs every game from here on out." 

Jackman continued, "The pitching is what has kept us in games, and I am confident that is going to continue."

When the team started out 0-3, Armour felt his team was still competitve. Now Stoughton is 6-1 over its last 7 games.

"Obviously winning is contagious and [we're] starting to get the hits and doing what we need to do in the right situations. You build on that stuff," Armour said. We've started to win some games. We've started to make some plays. It's contagious.

"All in all, I think we're heading in the right direction. Our defense is sound, our pitchers are starting to settle down, and if we get the bats going like we did [against KP], we're going to be a tough team to beat."