STAMFORD, Conn. – Eastern Massachusetts Champion Taunton strung together three two-out hits to score two runs in fifth, breaking open a one-run game and sending it on to a 4-1 win over Pittsfield at the 16-year-old Babe Ruth New England Championship on Monday morning.

 

Logan Severino struck out five and allowed just one hit in a complete-game effort on the mound to pitch Taunton into Tuesday’s regional semi-finals.

 

Pittsfield’s Cooper Reed was nearly as effective in a losing effort.

 

An outfield error led to Taunton’s two first-inning runs. And, in the fifth, Taunton scored two runs on an infield single for the insurance that took the pressure off Severino for his last nine outs.

 

“He pitched a gem,” Pittsfield coach Phil Bock said. “I don’t know exactly where he was in the pitch count. But I believe he was under 80. To throw seven innings the way he did under pressure – great job, excellent. Very proud of the kid.

 

“Proud of the whole team.”

 

And after a 2-0 run through the Western Massachusetts Tournament and a 2-1 performance in pool play in Stamford, the Pittsfield 16s have a lot in which to take pride.