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Sports

Weston Boys' Baseball Stymied After Strong Start

After jumping to a 3-1 lead in the first inning, host Weston lost 6-3 to L-S on Tuesday.

A strong offensive first inning for Weston High was a poor indication of what was to come for the Wildcats.

After jumping up 3-1 to open the game, the host Wildcats were stymied for points in the next six innings as they fell 6-3 to Lincoln-Sudbury on Tuesday.

“I am pleased with how our kids competed for every pitch and did not back down,” said Weston manager Jon Beverly. “L-S got the timely hits. We got some guys in scoring position, but we were not getting those hits.”

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Opening the first inning with three runs off three hits and a pair of stolen bases, the Wildcats looked to be on pace with a 3-1 lead to end the first inning. Substituting reliever Eddie DeArias for starter Adam Ravenelle for one inning, L-S manager Kirk Fredericks was able to warmup his starter and get him back on track for a strong return in the third inning.

The now warmed up starter shut out Weston for five straight innings by giving up only two more hits and adding eight strikeouts.

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“We executed the plays we wanted to and got some bunts down when we needed to,” said Beverly of the first inning. “Maybe it was cause of the rainy weather that we were able to take advantage of some mistakes on their part early on.”

Entering the fifth inning down 3-2, the Warriors managed to get runners on second and third with a single from David McCullough and a frozen rope double from Michael Barry. A sacrifice pop fly from Jack Harris and a single from Ravenelle gave L-S a 4-3 lead.

“We have worked really hard on situational hitting,” said Fredericks. “Some guys came up with some good at bats in (fifth inning) when we needed it”

After advancing walked batter Noah Tocci to third base in the fourth inning, the Wildcats were unable to touch second base for the remainder of the game. A low ripped single by Matt O'Connor in the sixth inning was the closest Weston got to scoring for the remainder of the contest.

“It was not a matter of getting a three run homer or stringing five hits together,”said Beverly. “When they had a chance to get a run they took advantage of it.”

L-S added insurance in the seventh inning with two more runs. A single by Ravenelle with men on second and third brought a run in and gave the starter his second RBI. With starter David Miller now out and the bases load, Carl Anderson popped out to give L-S its final score.

Ravenelle finish the final inning by pitching two strikeouts and a ground out.

“The huge improvement for us today and in the season overall has been situational hitting like in (the fifth and seventh) innings,” said Fredericks.

Ravenelle pitched six innings giving up three runs with five hits and nine strikeouts. Miller pitched six and a third innings giving up six runs off nine hits, three strikeouts and five walks.

“(Ravenelle) was throwing his fast ball and curve ball for strikes in the low nineties,” said Fredericks. “He was also able to locate both on the inside and outside and there are not a lot of pitchers who can do that.”

The Warriors improve to 2-2, while the Wildcats drop to 2-1. Lincoln-Sudbury will host Tyngsborough High (0-1) at 2 p.m. on Thursday, while Weston travels to face Greater Lowell Tech High (2-0) at 10 a.m. that same day.

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