Westfield defeated a tough Long Hill team earlier tonight by the score of 13-6 to advance to Wednesday's Central Jersey Baseball League semi-final game against Florham Park (Florham Park defeated Branchburg tonight 10-4). Westfield got solid pitching from Chris Rinaldi, Brett Robertshaw and Vin Difilippo and clutch hitting from a host of Blue Devils, including Chris Varano (3 RBIs) and Hopper Murray who both had 2 doubles and Michael Mobarakai who had 2 hits and scored 3 runs. All 11 hitters in the line up had hits in one of the most balanced offensive displays of the year.
Varano cleared the bases with a clutch 2 out double in the 3rd inning and then Rinaldi followed with a hit to score Varano, giving Westfield a 4-2 lead. Long Hill scored 1 in the bottom of the 3rd to make it 4-3.
Westfield went right back to work in the top of the 4th, scoring 5 runs on 6 hits. Devin Anderson led off with a single and was followed by Chris Boutsikaris who also singled. Brett Robertshaw and Hopper Murray then hit back-to-back RBI doubles. After 2 outs were recorded, Mobarakai hit an RBI double and Varakian laced an RBI single to give Westfield a 9-3 lead. Brett Robertshaw relieved Rinaldi and held Long Hill scoreless in the 4th.
Long Hill scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th to close the lead to 9-6, courtesy of a long home run and 2 miscues by the Westfield defense. Difilippo relieved and struck out 2 of the 4 batters he faced in the inning to end the Long Hill threat.
Westfield scored 4 more times in the top of the 6th to extend the lead to 13-6. Murray hit a one out double down the left field line and promptly stole 3rd. Scott Tupper followed with a walk and stole 2nd putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Liam Heinbokel then ripped a 2 RBI double to left center field scoring Murray and Tupper. Mobarakai then laced an RBI single to score Heinbokel and Mobi alertly advanced to 2nd on the throw home. Varakian then launched an RBI single to left center that allowed Mobarakai to score the 13th run. Difilippo and the Westfield defense retired Long Hill in order in the bottom of the 6th to preserve the win.
Next up for Westfield is Florham Park at Florham Park on Wednesday at 5:45 PM in the CJBL semi-final game.
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