PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Babe Ruth 15-year-old All-Stars finished what it started, taking the field again Monday after a rain-shortened outing on Sunday to beat Holden 7-4 to win the Western Massachusetts Babe Ruth Championship title.

 

On Sunday afternoon, Pittsfield came out and took an early lead, tallying five runs in the first inning after stealing seven bases. Holden added three of their own in the third inning. The score was 5-3 when the game was postponed in the fourth inning.

 

On Monday afternoon, Pittsfield again came out strong and scored first after a RBI single for Jake McNiece that plated Anthony Whiteley to make it 6-3.

 

"My philosophy on that is we're going to run no matter what," Pittsfield coach Tom Rizzo said. "We don't care about the catcher, pitcher; we steal, that's our game. If we get on base, we're going to run and so far it's been successful. It’s part of our game plan."

 

Holden came out in the top of the fifth and scored with one out and bases loaded, thanks to a hit by Zach Vandale that brought in Erik B'Jorn. 

 

Pittsfield pitcher Hunter Brasie was able to battle out of the subsequent bases-loaded situation, striking out one and getting the last man to ground out.

 

Brasie had replaced Jake McNiece on the mound Sunday afternoon; McNiece struck out three. Brasie, before being replaced in the sixth inning by Jake Flynn on Monday, struck out four.

 

Flynn closed for Pittsfield, striking out two, one of which came in Pittsfield's 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh to secure the championship.

 

"I have confidence in all my pitchers," (Pittsfield coach said). "They come in and get the job done when they need to, and the defense helps, too. They did a great job."

 

Pittsfield's seventh run came from Brandon Peaslee in the bottom of the fifth inning, making the final score 7-4.

 

Pittsfield will play in the state tournament Friday, place and opponent TBA.

 

More photos here.