It looked promising for the Northampton Post 28 Senior Division American Legion team through two and a half innings, as Liam Flynn belted a two-out, three-run home run to put them ahead 4-2 against Pittsfield Post 68.

But the game’s next 12 runs belonged to Pittsfield, including nine runs in the bottom of the third – all of which were unearned. Post 68 pulled away for a 14-4 five-inning win over Post 28 on Wednedsay evening at Clapp Field in Pittsfield.

In the frame where Pittsfield put up a crooked number, it only recorded three hits despite scoring nine runs. Northampton made a handful of errors and Post 68 batters drew several walks. 

Pittsfield scored a run in the bottom of the first, but Northampton tied it up 1-1 in the top of the second when Andrew Gagne came home on an error. After Post 68 added another in the second, Flynn came to the plate to give Post 28 their first lead of the night. Cody Keel and James Lavallee each walked prior to Flynn’s blast, which went well over Clapp Field’s fence in right.

Pittsfield tacked on three more runs to make it 14-4 and end the game. Post 28 recorded only two other hits besides the home run, including a Harry LaFlamme single in the fourth.

Northampton Post 28 (3-2) is back in action against Westfield on Friday at Arcanum Field at 5:45 p.m. for its fourth contest of the week.

Northampton 13U

The 13U Northampton All-Stars baseball team was firing on all cylinders against Wilbraham at Spec Pond on Tuesday night, as the Blue Devils pulled away for an 11-5 victory under the lights. The Blue Devils were the home team thanks to an all-star tournament coin flip.

After trading a pair of runs in the first inning and falling behind 2-1 in the second, Northampton responded in the bottom of the fourth with a huge five-run frame to take the lead for good. The offense was sparked by a Maceo Nteta ground-rule double that was originally called a home run. The umpires reversing the call fired up the Blue Devils as they went on to take a 6-2 lead.

A three-run home run from Wilbraham brought it back to 6-5, but a four-run fifth – all with two outs – saw Northampton double up its opponent, 10-5.

Oliver Yau earned the win on the mound for the Blue Devils. The lefty starter went four innings, surrendering four hits and two runs (one earned) over four innings while striking out four and walking one. He showed tremendous guts when he got out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam by striking out the No. 4 and No. 5 Wilbraham hitters.

Northampton accumulated 10 hits in the game, led by a 2-for-3 day from Easton Jewell, who tripled, singled and drove in a run. Nteta and Bradyn Rios each went 2-for-3 as well, while Alex Laing (triple), Yau (double) and Elias Almeida (double) all contributed extra-base hits. Iggy Piotrowski had a timely hit along with two key RBIs to round out the Blue Devils’ high-powered offense.

Up next for Northampton is the District 2 Championship, which is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Florence Athletic Fields. The Blue Devils will face either Southampton or Wilbraham for a chance to move on to the sectional tournament.