Strong pitching sends Hopkins to baseball semifinals
HADLEY - The pitcher for top-seeded Hopkins Academy tossed an ace-like performance on the mound Monday ... and it wasn't Garrison Banas.
Aiden Barrett delivered a complete-game five-hitter to defeat Dean Tech 4-1 in the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Tournament quarterfinal round, sending Hopkins to its third consecutive semifinals appearance.
"I'm proud of our kids," Hopkins coach Pat Lemieux said. "It shows that we've gone from a lower-tier team in the Hampshire League, to a pretty good baseball program in a short amount of time."
Hopkins (17-3) will face No. 4 Easthampton (17-5) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bullens Field in Westfield for the opportunity to play in the finals. Easthampton beat No. 12 Gateway 7-5 Monday.
Barrett struck out 14 and surrendered no walks or earned runs on 93 pitches.
"I thought we played a really good game all around," said Barrett. "I was comfortable with my breaking stuff, after I was able to locate my fastball early in the game. I started to add my curveball in there and worked both pitches on the corners, trying to find weaknesses and make them put the ball softly in play."
Hopkins took a 1-0 lead when Garrison Banas (4-for-4, two RBIs) tripled to center to lead off the first inning, and later scored on a passed ball.
With the bases loaded and one out in the second, Banas singled to plate Nate Bombardier, who walked, and Ethan Wenner, who singled to center. Jamie Garand (2-for-3, stolen base) followed and hit an infield single to shortstop Luis Galarza, who threw wild to first. Rob Cooke scored from second on the play as Hopkins took a 4-0 lead.
No. 8 Dean Tech (15-6) was held scoreless until Edgar Diaz (3-for-3, run scored) singled to start the sixth. Diaz stole second and scored when left fielder Andrew Bemben misplayed an Edward Perez single.
With Perez on third with one out, Walter Colon grounded a ball to second baseman Cooke, who threw home to catcher Sean Quill to nail Perez in a close play at the plate. With two outs and Colon at second, Galarza was called out for leaning into a strike.
"It was a wild sequence of plays," said Lemieux. "After giving up the first run, it's sometimes hard to regain your focus and battle to get out of the jam. Sean made a great play at home for us, and we were able to get out of the inning and move on."
Barrett had no trouble in the seventh, striking out the side to send Hopkins to the next round.
"It all starts with pitching, and Barrett pitched us a great game," said Lemieux.
Banas, Garand, Bombardier and TJ Judge all played their final high school game at home.
"I'm really proud of the seniors today, who played their final game here," said Lemieux. "I'm proud of the way they played, proud of the way they composed themselves. We've got a lot to be happy about. But, we'll be right back out here tomorrow morning, getting back to business and getting ready for next one."
