Wellesley Falls to Walpole in SYBL Semis

Wellesley's playoff run came to an end Tuesday night with an 8-4 loss to Walpole National at Norwood's Kelly Field.

The Wellesley All-Stars earned the matchup with the top seeded Walpole squad by defeating Westwood earlier in the evening, 4-1.

Wellesley battled an early 3-0 deficit in the nightcap, as Walpole batted around in the first inning. Will Ebben cut into the lead with a third inning solo homer, the first of three for Wellesley in the game. Peter Stabnick followed it up next inning with a solo homer of his own, putting Wellesley back within a run.

As for Stabnick, he could not be retired all night. The slugger hit two home runs and went a combined 5-5 in the two games. He also picked up the win on the mound against Westwood.

"It was fun," Stabnick said. "I was just relaxed in the box all night and happened to go 5-5."

Walpole added some fourth inning insurance, piling on four more runs and expanding their lead to 7-2.

"They just put together some really nice at bats," said Wellesley coach Bill Ebben.  

Wellesley had some fight still left in them though, as leadoff batter Tommy Seidl blasted a two-run home run in the fifth. It was too little too late; however, for Ebben's club, as the Walpole closer shut the door in the sixth.

"I was proud of the way our boys battled tonight," Ebben added. "Walpole is a super hitting club and they are so fundamentally sound. They always have been."

Ebben said the difference between the two games was his pitching.

"We were able to get Westwood out. We couldn't get Walpole out at key times and they had some timely hits with the bases loaded."

Ebben shared all positive remarks about his players, and how truly hard they fought throughout the year.

"I'm really proud of my guys," said Ebben. "They did so well all Spring and Summer, and both our teams on the North and South came together and played as one, and that's what I'm most proud of."