Leo Mangiamele stepped up to the plate, runners on first and second base. Crack! A deep line drive to left field that cleared the wall in a hurry. Westfield drew first blood and led 3-0 at the top of the third inning.
The game was much of the same from that point forward, ending in a 10-4 Westfield win. The Westfield bats awakened in the third inning, Owen Callahan following suit with a double. He went on to score off a throwing error by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood shortstop, pushing the lead to 4-0.
After starting the season with two losses, the Blue Devils have been hot as of late, currently on a four-game win streak. The reason for this turnaround: pitching.
“I’m always on the mound smiling, and if I can just stay happy with myself then things will work themselves out,” said Jack Chavez, with a smile across his face.
Chavez was on the bump for the Blue Devils on Friday afternoon for his second start of the season. He ended his successful outing with 9 strikeouts over five innings of work, surrendering only 1 earned run.
“He was definitely more in control [with] better conditions and we got him a nice lead early so he was able to settle in and locate really well,” said head coach Jay Cook.
Once the Blue Devils gained control, they never released it. At the plate, Westfield once again performed. Now in their third consecutive game of earning 10 runs or more, the Blue Devils have proven themselves a significant threat offensively. Since beginning their win streak against New Providence last week, the Blue Devils have outscored their opponents 40–15.
“It feels great, I’m happy for the boys and it’s always nice when you see the things in practice carry over into the game,” said Cook. “Things start to fall in line and guys start to have success when they work really hard at something.”
Six Westfield batters recorded a hit in Friday’s contest. Top performers included junior Tomas Cestero, who recorded three hits: a solo shot in the sixth, a 2-RBI triple and a single. Cestero—a double shy of the cycle—recorded 4 RBIs on the day. Senior co-captain Mangiamele also earned 4 RBIs, while senior co-captain Callahan recorded two doubles.
Westfield has improved to 4-2 and proved itself capable once more of instilling both a hard-hitting offense and a sound defense. Despite some errors throughout the game, the Blue Devils have impressed. Their next game takes them home to face Arthur L. Johnson, whose current record sits at 4-2. Westfield defeated the Crusaders in both of their matchups last season and will look to continue this streak Tuesday.
