Westfield Comes From Behind in Dramatic Fashion to Win 2010 K of C Tournament

Westfield and Greenbrook squared off for the 2nd time in less than 24 hours -- this time in the championship game of the 2010 Westfield Knight of Columbus tournament. Westfield had won the initial meeting on Sunday by the score of 10-0 in a mercy rule shortened game, but in the title game Greenbrook was a much more determined and focused opponent and Westfield White needed some last inning heroics to grab the win and secure the title.

The game started much like the 1st game had with the Westfield bats coming alive early. Following a lead off walk by Eric Varakian, Chris Varano immediately blasted a 2 run homerun into the trees in left center field at Gumbert Field #2. Michael Friel walked a stole 2 bases and came around to score on an RBI sac fly by Hopper Murray giving Westfield a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning.

Murray pitched the 1st three innings for Westfield and he threw very well, holding Greenbrook to only a single unearned run. Westfield seemed to be in control with the 3-1 lead going into the 4th, but Greenbrook exploded for 5 runs in the 4th and 3 more in the 5th to take a commanding 9-3 lead.

In the bottom of the 5th Westfield responded with a run to close the gap to 9-4. Hopper Murray doubled, stole 3rd and scored on a Chris Boutsikaris RBI sac fly.

Westfield came to bat in the bottom of the 6th inning needing 5 runs to tie and 6 runs to win. Scott Tupper started things off with a hard fought walk. J. Mack Rembisz followed with a single after fouling off a couple of pitches from the hard throwing Greenbrook left hander. Rembisz stole 2nd to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and things started to look better for Westfield, but the Greenbrook pitcher proceeded to strike out the next two batters. Eric Varakian battled some very tough pitches and worked a walk and then Chris Varano laced a two run double into left center field to close the gap to 9-6. Chris Rinaldi had a good at bat and worked a walk, bringing Michael Friel to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs. Friel fouled off several very difficult pitches before punching a shot into the right center field gap for a 2 run double and bringing the score to 9-8. Devin Anderson stepped to the plate with the tying run at 3rd in Rinaldi and the winning run at 2nd in Friel. Anderson did not disappoint and sent the Westfield faithful into a frenzy with a dramatic, walk off 2 RBI single.

The victory gave Westfield White the 2010 Knights of Columbus 12U title.