Westport nine win division championship, prepare for playoffs

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr
Posted 5/29/23

The Westport baseball team won the Mayflower Athletic Conference division championship with a league record of 8-0 and now prepare for home playoff game sometime next week.

 

How they …

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Westport nine win division championship, prepare for playoffs

Posted

The Westport baseball team won the Mayflower Athletic Conference division championship with a league record of 8-0 and now prepare for home playoff game sometime next week.

 

How they captured the division

The Wildcats began the league season by shutting out West Bridgewater 4-0 during a home game on April 13. Westport has won tight games with pitching and defense as well as blowing teams out with their bats. Playing at the field behind the former junior/senior high school, they crushed Bishop Connolly 10-1, Avon 11-1, Holbrook 20-0. While traveling they beat West Bridgewater 3-2, Avon 14-4, Holbrook 9-2 and Bishop Connolly 4-1.

 

Instrumental seniors key to success

Seniors Max Morotti, Cam Leary and Noah Sowle have been instrumental to the Wildcats’ success. Morrotti the Wildcat’s ace, ended the regular season with a record of 5-2 and an ERA of 0.43. The big righty struck out 54 batters and allowed 30 hits, 17 walks and just 12 runs in 48.1 innings of work. Offensively he batted .351 from the third spot and belted 20 hits with 4 doubles, 2 triples,16 RBI and scored 17 runs in 57 at bats. 

“Morotti has been our workhorse on the mound,” said head coach Jason Pacheco. “He gets the ball in all of our big games, and has pitched well. He has also turned it on offensively in the second half of the season.”

Leary the Wildcats’ speedy centerfielder batted .259 and smashed 14 hits with 4 doubles, a homer, 12 RBI, stole 13 bases and scored 16 runs in 54 at bats. 

“Cam has been our anchor in the outfield,” Coach Pacheco said. “He patrols center field and is our leader out there. He tracks down balls that others can't and has an extremely strong arm. Offensively, his speed causes fits for opponents. He bats 5th in the lineup, but is capable of hunting and hitting for power.”

Leary also helped out on the mound with a record of 2-1 and an ERA of 4.08 in 12 innings of work. He struck out 15 and allowed 10 hits, 12 walks and 7 runs. 

Sowle played well defensively at shortstop and batted .325 from the leadoff spot and hammered 13 hits with 2 doubles, a triple, 5 RBI, 8 stolen bases and scored 18 runs. 

“Noah has been excellent in the leadoff spot,” said Coach Pacheco. “He has also played a solid shortstop defensively.”

 

contributions from Lavoie, Boudria, Souza, Lacey and DeGagne

Seniors Shawn Lavoie, Ben Boudria, Will Souza, Noah Lacey, and junior Mike DeGagne have also contributed heavily during the season. Lavoie hit .421 with 8 hits, a double, 9 RBI, 3 stolen bases and scored 10 runs in 19 at bats, offensively and struck out 22 as the team’s number two pitcher with an ERA of 1.69 and a record of 5-1. 

Boudria, the Wildcats’ right fielder, hit .325 with 13 hits, 12 RBI, 14 stolen bases and scored 13 runs in 40 at bats. Souza, the Wildcats’ second baseman, hit .255 with 12 hits, 3 doubles, 13 RBI and scored 10 runs in 47 at bats. Lacey contributed defensively as the the Wildcats’ catcher. DeGagne hit clean up and batted .464 with 13 hits, 2 doubles, 7 RBI and 2 runs scored in 28 at bats. 

 

Underclassmen also contribute

Freshmen Vaughn Costa, Kasen Avila and sophomores Luke Finglas, Dylan Kirby, Bryton Graham and Max Gallant, Connor James have also hit, pitched and played well in the field when needed. 

The Wildcats recently beat Diman 8-0 on Tuesday and Atlantis Charter 6-0 on Thursday in non-league games to finish up their regular season schedule at 14-4. Westport is ranked eighth in power ranking out of 76 teams. Their playoff schedule is to be announced on Wednesday. 

 

Tennis team readies for playoffs 

The Westport tennis team received a first round bye in the playoffs, with a record of 7-7, and will travel to Sandwich to play in the round of 32. Date and time have not been scheduled. 

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