Westfield still has a chance to make the championship round if it wins its final game.
By GEORGE EDGAR
BREMERTON, Wash. – The Westfield All-Stars had one of those days at the Babe Ruth World Series.
They fell behind early to Bryant, Arkansas, and not only had to battle their opponents but also balls that dropped between fielders for hits, an inconsistent strike zone, and a scoring outburst that was offensive to the eyes.
In the end, Westfield dropped a 23-11, five-inning decision to Bryant at Gene Lobe Field. They are now 1-2 in pool play with one game to go.
“The scoreboard operator had a bad day, the umpires had a bad day,” said Westfield manager Mike Smith. “It was a bad day all around.”
Bryant, undefeated in pool play at 3-0, scored eight runs in the top of the second to go up 10-3, getting ten batters to the plate before Westfield could record an out. It was more of the same in third inning, as Bryant sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight more runs.
Westfield came back in its half of the second to get within 10-9, but that was close as it would get. Bryant eventually led 23-9 in the top of the fifth, as they battered around five Westfield pitchers. “This was a long day, and we went through a lot of pitchers,” said Smith.
Bryant and Westfield combined for 34 runs, 23 hits, 20 walks and five hit batters (all five for Bryant).
Bryant third baseman Alex Shurtloff went for 4 for 5 with a double and a triple and drove in a World Series-record seven runs. Sean Moorhouse went 2 for 3 with an RBI and Noah Murray had a two-run single for Westfield.
Despite the loss, Smith tried to stay positive.
“We should be in good shape if we win tomorrow,” he said, referring to today’s 4 p.m. game against Meridian, Idaho. A win could put Westfield into the championship round of the World Series. “We lost because we played a better team today,” Smith said.