Sachems Hang Tough in Cal Ripken Tournament

As soon as the matchups were drawn, it was apparent Winchester was going to have a tough first game. Playing the pre-tournament favorites in the first round of a double-elimination tournament is never easy.

The team from Raynham (MA) has yet to lose a game, it's 39-0. Out of those 39 games, 24 ended in the "Mercy Rule", which ends a game if one team has a 10-run lead or more in the fourth inning or later. Raynham has hit over 20 home runs in those games.

But the Sachems just went out and played baseball.

Raynham proved to tough as the teamed ended up defeating Winchester 16-8 in the first game of the Cal Ripken 11-year-old New England Regional Tournament Saturday night at Nutile Field, continuing its streak. The Sachems will be on the field again Sunday night as they play Hudson (NH) at 7:30 p.m.

It looked as though Raynham was on its way to another dominating victory as it held a nine-run lead in the fourth inning. The lead could have been more, but Sachem pitcher Patrick Costello was able to get the final two outs, stranding runners on second and third.

Then came the bottom of the fourth.

Raynham struggled all game to find a way to stop Zach Geddes (3 for 4, three RBI, two runs scored) who led off the inning with a single. The Sachems then took advantage of Raynham's wild pitching as Christy Redler, Christopher Kingston and Costello drew walks.

A walk by Devin Driscoll a single by Harry Colvin and a walk by Richie Toelke led to four runs for Winchester and set the stage for Geddes who stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, two out and Winchester down five.

Geddes laced the pitch to the left-centerfield gap as the ball went cruising to the wall. Three runs scored, Geddes was on third and Winchester was down two. Geddes brought the Sachems even closer when he stole home on a wild pitch.

Winchester was unable to get any closer, but against the best team in the region, it's a loss that can definitely help the team moving forward.

"No one likes to lose," Winchester manager Greg Fuccillo, "but when you lose that way, it can make you feel proud of how you played. It's hard to come back after being down 9-0. Other teams tend to quit, not these guys, they kept playing."

Raynham was able to extend its lead again in the next inning as Raynham's Blake Gallagher had his second highlight-reel moment of the game. Earlier in the game, in the second inning, Gallagher sent a shot sailing over the 215-foot leftfield wall, over the parking lot and one-bounced over the tee-ball fence. It was a blast that was estimated to go over 300 feet.

Then, with Raynham clinging to a one-run lead, Gallagher was up again with runners on second and third. This time though, the husky 11-year-old took aim at the centerfield wall. The 225-foot wall was not far enough as Gallagher's second shot careened off the roof of the concession stand.

While Winchester was disappointed with the loss, the Sachems are ready for their game Sunday night.

"I have a good feeling about (Sunday night)," Fuccillo said. "This team's been playing well and I think we'll do well."