Framingham Flyers: News 2002
Framingham Hands Sudbury First Senior Ruth Loss
FRAMINGHAM - The groundskeepers at Framingham's Bowditch Field need not trim the infield today. Thanks to Jason Gilpatrick, the infield received plenty of attention last night when Framingham and Sudbury squared off in Senior Babe Ruth.
Using a sharp curve to record 14 ground ball outs, Gilpatrick hurled a complete game six-hitter to shut down previously undefeated Sudbury, 9-4.
Gilpatrick, whose only vice was three wild pitches that resulted in two Sudbury runs, struck out three and walked three while surrendering only one run.
"It seemed like I put it exactly where I wanted it every time I threw it," said Gilpatrick of his curve.
Gilpatrick's propensity to induce Sudbury hitters into ground ball outs gave Framingham infielders numerous opportunities. The duo up the middle - shortstop Brandon Steacy and second baseman Jeff Doucette - was flawless despite being extremely active.
"Many of the teams we've played so far have been generous to us in the field," said Sudbury coach Rick Burpee, whose team drops to 3-1. "We had to work for our baserunners tonight."
Gilpatrick's contributions with the bat proved crucial as well. His second-inning, swinging-bunt infield single with the bases loaded just escaped Sudbury pitcher Ben Tatkow's glove before landing near the third base line. Had Tatkow snagged the ball, it would have resulted in a sure double play. Instead, Jared Kamrowski - who led off the inning with a walk - scored from third to plate the second of seven runs Framingham (2-2) recorded in the inning.
"That play gave a whole different complexion to that inning," said Burpee. "If you're going to look at a big play in the game, that was it."
Gilpatrick was the fifth of six straight players to reach base, including the third man to dribble an infield single. Tatkow surrendered two walks and six hits in the inning - the last a Ryan Galluzzo two-RBI rocket that nearly hit the left-hander in the head on its way through the middle.
Galluzzo and Gilpatrick each drove in two runs for the FastSigns while Matt Saari, Andrew DelPrete, Robbie Mayo, Brandon Steacy and Matt Hurley each knocked in one.
Once again, right fielder Adam Kurtzer was outstanding for Sudbury, blasting three hits, stealing a base, driving in one run and scoring one run.
Kurtzer's sixth-inning double helped ignite his team's only real threat of the game. Leadoff batter Todd Norley reached base on an error, Kurtzer doubled and eventually scored on a wild pitch, and Brad Chase walked. Gilpatrick buckled down and induced three ground balls to extinguish the rally and hold Sudbury to only two runs in the inning.
"The sixth inning gave me some worries," said Framingham coach Steve Merritt.
Sudbury's Jeff Goodman pitched well in relief of Tatkow, tossing four innings while allowing only two runs on three hits.
(Article written by Josh Thomson / Correspondent for MetroWest Daily News
Photo by Marshall Wolff)
Framingham All-Stars
Congratulations to Framingham's All Star participants! Joey Sanicandro, Jared Kamrowski, Jason Gilpatrick, and Matt Saari.
(Matt was unable to play due to injury)
The North squad won a tight contest 5-4 at Mahan Field in Natick. Jason Gilpatrick came away as the winning pitcher and also had the first hit of the game and scored the first North run when Natick's David Cole smashed a first inning 2 run home run. Joey "Wheels" Sanicandro in center field, and Jared "Scoop" Kamrowski at first base, played solid defense for the North team.
