Dateline Murray, Utah – With the smoke from the wildfires finally dissipating beyond the Wasatch Mountains, a comfortable throw from centerfield, and beautiful Ken Price Field a sparkling green, the setting was perfect last night for the Westchester Babe Ruth 14-year-old all-stars to play perhaps their best game yet in the World Series quarter-finals against Missouri.
Westchester, fresh off a 6 to 5 elimination victory over Vernal, the Utah state representative, in front of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, earned the No. 2 seed in the American Division.
Missouri, having defeated New Jersey 8 to 5, was the No. 3 seed in the National Division.
New Jersey patiently waited in the wings for a date with last night’s victor on the schedule for tonight.
Westchester Manager John Lopatto chose Hamilton High School's Ethan Lazar to start on the mound.
Lazar had pitched four innings on Monday, earning the victory against Twin Cities, WA. Always calm, Lazar appeared quite confident leading up to arguably the biggest game of his career. “It's 60 feet, six inches (the distance from the rubber to home plate),” he said. “There's nothing to worry about. I plan on putting the team on my back and winning this game.”
Lopatto put out a familiar starting lineup, with Anthony Chavez behind the plate, LJ Gilliam at first, Christian Amador at second, Matthew Kanfer at third and Grant Craddolph at shortstop. Avery Allen (Wednesday's player of the game), Carlos Jacobo and AJ Inatsugu patrolled the outfield.
Westchester exploded for five runs in the top of the first inning. Gilliam walked, stole second and third and scored on a rocket down the left field line by Kanfer. Chavez walked and Jacobo singled to load the bases. Allen knocked in the second run on a groundouts to first. Walks to Craddolph, Lazar and Inatsugu, coupled with two wild pitches, accounted for the final three runs of the inning.
Missouri scored two runs in the top of the third, cutting the Westchester lead to 5 to 2. Lazar shut down Missouri again in the fourth, and the score remained unchanged leading into the bottom of the fourth when the Westchester bats caught fire again.
Inatsugu and Amador both walked, and they advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Gilliam. Kanfer singled to center, scoring two. Chavez moved Kanfer over to second on a groundout, and Jacobo singled him home, giving Westchester a comfortable 8 to 2 lead.
After Lazar walked the first two batters in the top of the fifth, Lopatto came out with the hook and called upon reliever Angel de la Torre to work out of the jam. De la Torre pitched brilliantly, shutting down Missouri's rally, allowing just one run to score in the fifth. The teams traded solo runs in the sixth and the seventh, giving Westchester a 9 to 4 victory.
“This World Series has truly been an amazing experience,” said Coach Barr Craddolph.” To have the privilege of playing against competitive teams from across the country is unforgettable. I must say I am so proud of our boys because of the way they have banded together and fought together, no matter what the situation.”
The victory sends Westchester into the semifinals against New Jersey tonight at 8.
If Westchester wins, it will play in Saturday’s finals against either Washington or Florida.
Mr. Zeidman may be contacted at scott.zeidman@laslots.com
