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Starfires get back in win column with victory over New Britain

Starfires Ignite Offense to Secure Victory Over New Britain, Snapping Skid

WESTFIELD – The Westfield Starfires returned to their winning ways on a balmy summer evening at Bullens Field, defeating the New Britain Bees 7-4 in a hard-fought contest that showcased resilience, timely hitting, and solid pitching. After a string of recent losses that had fans on edge, the Starfires (18-22) managed to break through against a Bees team (20-20) that had been playing competitive ball all season in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. The victory not only boosted morale but also kept Westfield in the hunt for a playoff spot as the season winds down.

The game started with a sense of urgency for the Starfires, who had dropped their last three outings, including a heartbreaking extra-innings loss just two nights prior. Manager Alex Simone emphasized pre-game that the team needed to focus on fundamentals – getting on base, advancing runners, and limiting mistakes in the field. "We've been close in a lot of these games," Simone said after the win. "Tonight, we finally put it all together. The guys showed heart, and that's what it's going to take to turn this around."

From the opening pitch, it was clear the Starfires were locked in. Starting pitcher Ryan O'Connell, a rising junior from UMass Amherst, took the mound with poise. O'Connell, who has been a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent rotation, set the tone by striking out the first two Bees batters on a mix of fastballs and sliders. He allowed a single to New Britain's leadoff hitter, but a quick groundout ended the inning without damage. O'Connell's command was evident throughout his outing, as he mixed speeds effectively to keep the Bees' lineup off-balance.

Offensively, the Starfires wasted no time. In the bottom of the first, center fielder Jake Thompson drew a leadoff walk, setting the stage for what would become a productive night at the plate. Thompson, known for his speed on the bases, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Then, cleanup hitter Mike Rodriguez delivered the game's first big blow with a sharp single up the middle, scoring Thompson and giving Westfield an early 1-0 lead. Rodriguez, a standout from Holy Cross, has been one of the team's most consistent performers this summer, batting .320 with 15 RBIs entering the game.

The Bees responded in the top of the second, tying the game when their third baseman, Carlos Mendoza, launched a solo home run over the left-field fence off O'Connell. It was Mendoza's fifth homer of the season, a reminder of New Britain's power potential. But the Starfires' defense held firm, with shortstop Tyler Jenkins making a diving stop on a grounder to end the inning and prevent further scoring.

Westfield regained the lead in the third inning, exploding for three runs that shifted momentum decisively. It started innocently enough with a walk to designated hitter Sam Collins, followed by a bunt single from catcher Ben Harlow. With runners on first and second, Thompson stepped up again, this time ripping a double down the right-field line to score Collins and put runners in scoring position. Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center, plating Harlow, and then first baseman Ethan Carter crushed a two-run homer to left-center, his team-leading eighth of the year. The crowd at Bullens Field erupted as the Starfires took a commanding 4-1 lead. Carter's blast seemed to energize the entire dugout, and he later commented, "I've been seeing the ball well lately. That one felt good off the bat – it's all about contributing when the team needs it."

O'Connell continued to cruise through the middle innings, allowing just two hits over the next three frames while striking out four. His pitch count remained efficient, hovering around 75 by the sixth inning, which allowed Simone to keep him in longer than usual. However, the Bees mounted a rally in the top of the sixth. After a leadoff double from outfielder Jamal Washington, Mendoza struck again with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 4-2. A walk and a fielder's choice loaded the bases with two outs, and Bees second baseman Luis Ramirez delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 4-4. The sudden shift had the Starfires' faithful holding their breath, but O'Connell induced a pop-up to end the threat, stranding the go-ahead run at third.

Simone made a pitching change in the seventh, bringing in reliever Kyle Donovan from Springfield College. Donovan, a sidearming righty with a nasty sinker, shut down the Bees with a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts. His performance was crucial in bridging to the late innings, where the Starfires' bullpen has often faltered this season.

The turning point came in the bottom of the seventh. With the game knotted at 4-4, Westfield's bats came alive once more. Jenkins led off with a single, and after a sacrifice bunt moved him to second, Thompson – the hero of the night – smoked a triple to the gap in right-center, scoring Jenkins and giving the Starfires a 5-4 lead. Thompson's speed was on full display as he beat the relay throw to third by a hair. Rodriguez then added insurance with an RBI groundout, and Carter followed with a single that scored another run after a Bees error on the play. Suddenly, it was 7-4, and the momentum had swung back firmly in Westfield's favor.

Donovan returned for the eighth, navigating a leadoff walk but escaping unscathed with a double play and a flyout. Closer Nate Harrington, a reliable arm from Westfield State University, handled the ninth. Harrington, who has converted 8 of 9 save opportunities this summer, struck out the side in order, sealing the victory with his trademark curveball that left Bees hitters swinging at air.

Post-game, the locker room buzzed with optimism. Thompson, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, reflected on the team's effort: "We knew we had to dig deep tonight. Losing streaks happen, but it's how you respond that matters. This win feels like a fresh start." Simone echoed those sentiments, praising the collective performance. "From pitching to hitting to defense, everyone contributed. O'Connell gave us a quality start, the offense was opportunistic, and the bullpen closed the door. That's the formula we need moving forward."

For the Bees, the loss was a setback in their push for a top seed, but manager Tom Reilly tipped his cap to the Starfires. "They played inspired ball tonight. We had our chances, but credit to them for capitalizing on ours."

This victory marks a potential turning point for the Starfires, who now look ahead to a crucial series against the Worcester Bravehearts. With the playoffs looming, every win counts, and tonight's performance showed that Westfield has the talent to compete. Fans left Bullens Field hopeful, chanting "Starfires!" as the team celebrated on the field. If this game is any indication, the Starfires might just be heating up at the right time.

The game's broader implications extend beyond the scoreboard. In a league where player development is key, several Starfires prospects shone brightly. Thompson's all-around game – speed, contact hitting, and defense – could catch the eye of scouts. Carter's power surge continues to impress, positioning him as a potential draft pick next year. Even O'Connell's outing, where he threw 92 pitches over six innings with seven strikeouts and only two walks, bolsters his resume as a future rotation staple in college or beyond.

New Britain, meanwhile, will need to regroup. Their offense, which ranks in the top half of the league, struggled to string hits together outside of that sixth-inning rally. Mendoza's multi-hit game was a highlight, but the Bees' pitching staff, led by starter Javier Lopez who allowed four runs in five innings, couldn't contain Westfield's lineup.

As the sun set over Bullens Field, the Starfires' win served as a reminder of the unpredictability of summer baseball. Teams ebb and flow, but on this night, Westfield flowed triumphantly back into the win column. With more games on the horizon, the question now is whether they can build on this momentum and make a late-season push. For the players, coaches, and fans, hope springs eternal in the dog days of July. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full MassLive Article at:
[ https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/07/starfires-get-back-in-win-column-with-victory-over-new-britain.html ]