June 10, 2017

St. Mary’s Saints win D-IV Western Mass baseball championship

REGIONAL
Staff report

AMHERST — The St. Mary’s Saints high school baseball team capped off a stellar 20-2 year with the most important win of their 2017 season, in the Western Massachusetts final against the Granby Rams played Saturday, June 10 at UMass Amherst. The Saints from Westfield beat the Rams 3-2.

As it has throughout the spring season, the Saints pitching was key to this victory, holding the Rams to just two runs. John Daley pitched into the bottom of the sixth inning, holding the Rams offense in check and earning the win. Nate Bonini came in to relieve Daley in the seventh inning and earned the save.

In what was a close game, St. Mary’s scored the go ahead and eventual game winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Shaun Gezotis led off with a single, eventually advancing to 3^rd base and scoring on a Rams’ passed ball.

Coach Troy Collins, in his 13^th season leading the Saints baseball team, summed up the winning attitude of this team.

“They are a bunch of hard working kids who work hard and do their job together, everyone playing a role,” he told Iobserve.

The Saints last claimed the Division IV title back in 2009. The Saints and Rams have played each other numerous times over the years and have a shared mutual respect, Collins said. The two teams even shared a bus last year to play in a Cooperstown tournament.

With six graduating seniors, Collins remains confident they will be back in force next season, but admits it’s a tough road. For now he and his team will savor this hard fought win.