Westfield Beats Linden in Preview of State Quarterfinal Matchup

In a preview of the NJ State quarterfinals scheduled for Friday, Liam Devin went 3 for 3, with a home run and 3 runs scored and 3 Westfield hurlers combined on a five-hitter to lead Westfield to a 6-1 triumph at Bob Brewster Sr. Field in Westfield on Tuesday afternoon.

After Linden scored once in the top of the first, Devin opened Westfield's 2nd inning with a solo blast, tying the score at 1. Again leading off in the 4th, Devin singled, stole 2nd and was driven home by a double to right field by Jake Greenberg for a 2-1 lead. Westfield stretched the advantage to 6-1 in the 6th on base hits from Devin and Brad DiMartino, a two-run double by Eric Demers, a sacrifice fly by Chris Hogge and a squeeze bunt by Anthony Perconte.

Mike Ionta and Marc Luino also had doubles for Westfield. Brad Norris started and pitched three innings of 1-run ball, followed by Mike Androconis who struck out four in his two scoreless innings of work. Perconte finished up on the mound striking out 5 of the 6 batters he faced.