Four-Year Run Ends For Wellesley

The Wellesley 11A Summer League team lost to Braintree 6-2 in the championship game of the Suburban Youth Baseball League A11 Playoff Tournament Thursday night at Wall Field in Norwood. The loss marked the first time in four seasons this Wellesley squad was on the losing end of the title game.

"We always knew the run would end somewhere and we figured it would be against this Braintree team," said Wellesley head coach Bob Cronin.

Wellesley got off to a great start with Garrett Doyle and Bennett Psyhoges blasting back-to-back solo home runs in the second inning to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead.

Starting pitcher Taylor Beckett was magnificent, as well. Beckett struck out five and held Braintree scoreless through the first four innings before things came to a sudden halt for Beckett and Wellesley in the fifth as Braintree put four runs on the board.

"We might have stayed with him a bit too long and fatigue played a factor," said Cronin. "The truth is, we burned everyone out this weekend so he was probably still our best bet at that point. Taylor has been our horse over the last four years though and this is the first championship he's ever lost. He won the other three for us."

Wellesley gave a valiant effort in the fifth, but left the bases loaded without scoring a run, before Braintree tacked on two more in the top of the sixth off reliever Cameron Garfield to extend their lead to 6-2. Braintree starter Mike Reilly went on to wrap up his complete game effort with a sixth-inning double play and a routine groundout.

The loss was a tough one for Wellesley, but Coach Cronin said he expects both teams will be back next year.

"For the last three years we've skipped through the parking lot happy and as the last team standing. Now we know what it's like to be one of the last two standing, unfortunately we're just not skipping through the parking lot," said Cronin. "We're blessed to have all these guys coming back next year to form the heart of our Williamsport team. I expect these guys to be in a sectional final, and I truly believe it will be against this Braintree team."