Easthampton powers past Belchertown in Little League District 2 Intermediate championship

By ELLIOT WELD

For the Gazette

Published: 06-29-2017 9:48 PM

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton won the District 2 Little League Intermediate championship on Thursday, beating Belchertown, 14-1, at Sheehan Field at Nonotuck Park.

Nick Jolicoeur started for Easthampton. In his four innings pitched, Jolicoeur allowed one run on two hits, with five strikeouts and one walk.

“He’s awesome. He comes up big in the big games. When it’s a big game with him on the mound, I can count on him,” Easthampton coach Tom Colpack said.

Will Robbins struck out one and walked one in one inning of relief.

Easthampton had 13 hits, including three home runs. The heart of the lineup did the most damage for Easthampton.

Jolicoeur was 2-for-4 with a single, home run, two RBIs and two runs scored in the No. 2 hole.

Ryan O’Leary was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two RBIs and three runs scored batting third.

Cleanup hitter Justin Colpack was 3-for-4 with two singles, a home run and two runs scored.

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“Let’s just say I was breathing a little bit easier after we scored those runs early in the game,” Tom Colpack said.

Easthampton led 5-0 after the first inning and 10-1 after two.

“Those kids have a lot of experience and our games with them have been close,” Colpack said of Belchertown.

Easthampton had six stolen bases, four of which came in the first inning.

“I was going to come out of the gate and be as aggressive as possible,” Colpack said. “The plan from the start was to get on first base and see what we can do because when you put the fielders in motion, good things will happen.”

Easthampton also had three home runs in its 30-0 win over Westfield in the semifinals.

“These kids work hard,” Colpack said. “They’ve been working hard together since they were 9 years old, a lot of them. No team is perfect, but they’re pretty good.”

Brandon Langlois scored Belchertown’s run in the second inning. Langlois singled, stole second and scored on Tyler Laramee’s single.

“The hallmark of this team this year has been offense,” Belchertown coach Mark Zawistowski said. “We’re used to hitting the ball. This pitcher was able to keep us off balance, but we were also looking at too many pitches. In that inning when we scored the run, we went in there swinging and we just didn’t do that enough today.”

Belchertown reached the Intermediate state finals last season. Zawistowski said that Easthampton has the ability to do the same thing.

“Coming into a game, you know it’s going to be difficult when you’re playing an undefeated team,” he said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled for the Easthampton team. There’s no disappointment in losing to a really good team like Easthampton.”

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