Ben Fowler walks off for Northamptin Mickey Mantle in postseason

By ELLIOT WELD

For the Gazette

Published: 07-25-2017 10:45 PM

NORTHAMPTON — Ben Fowler’s walk-off single in the eighth inning gave Northampton a 4-3 win over Longmeadow in a Western Massachusetts Mickey Mantle baseball playoff game Tuesday. 

After Jake Brittain and Orion McLain both walked with two outs, Fowler (1-for-2) hit the ball into the outfield to score Brittain from second. 

“I just tried to fight off pitches and tried to get the winning run,” Fowler said. “I just wanted to help my team win, and whatever I could do to do that was what I wanted to do.”

Northampton was down 3-2 going into the seventh inning. Jake Matakanski (0-for-2, RBI) reached first base on a fielder’s choice and reached third on a passed ball. With two outs, Matakanski ran for home on another passed ball and slid safely to force extra innings.

“I didn’t think I was going to get there,” Matakanski said. “I got u,p and the umpire said ‘you’re safe,’ and I was just so thrilled.” 

In the top of the eight, Longmeadow put two men on who advanced to second and third base on a passed ball with one out. The next two batters grounded out to Brittain at shortstop.

“The thought in the infield was that we can’t let anything go by, we went all out,” Brittain said.

Longmeadow scored their three runs in the fifth inning. One was on a wild pitch from Northampton’s starting pitcher Jamie Berrios. Berrios then allowed a single and hit a batter before Longmeadow drove in two more runs.

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“The breaks went their way that inning,” Northampton coach Lance Lashway said. “Defense hasn’t been our strong point this year, but they’re coming together more towards the end.”

Berrios allowed five hits with two strikeouts and no walks.

Berrios was relieved by John Carey, who allowed two hits, with three strikeouts and three walks.

Northampton stranded 10 runners in the game. 

“It’s been a challenge, leaving guys on base,” Lashway said. “We’d always rather hit guys home.” 

Northampton will play its next game Thursday against St. Mary’s at Forest Park. 

Kings 3, Granby 1 — Carter Matthews pitched six innings with one run earned run in the loss.

Damon Wesley had an RBI single while Jake Mankowsky also singled for Granby.

For Kings, Matt Essig of Amherst had a single.

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