Norwood High School’s Brian Adams did double duty for the Mustangs on Saturday. Adams hurled seven innings of one-run, four-hit relief and doubled home the run that gave fifth-seeded Norwood a 7-6, 12-inning victory over King Philip in the first round of the EMass. Div. 1 baseball tourney.
Adams, a senior shortstop and the Mustangs’ fourth pitcher Saturday, had thrown only 10 innings all season. Just as surprising was that Adams’ RBI double came with runners on first and second and no outs, a situation that often calls for a sacrifice bunt. “I think I caught King Philip off-guard,” said Adams of his hit off of reliever Randy Levecque that brought Jim Doherty home. “Everyone in the ballpark expected me to bunt, but I’m glad I hit away.” It was Norwood’s ability to hit the ball a long way that put it in position to win the game. After falling behind, 4-0 in the fifth, a three-run homer by John Crimmins pulled the Mustangs even at 5-5.
Paul Samargedlis’ solo shot to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning forced extra innings. Both blasts landed halfway up the screen above the left-field fence. “We took advantage of two bad pitches and that was the ballgame,” said Norwood coach Pete Wall. “Adams did a great job, expecially since we were hurting for pitchers.” King Philip scored twice in the fourth inning and three times in the fifth for its 5-0 bulge. Sean Kelly began the Warrior fifth by singling off of Ted Towne, who replaced starter Greg Gamel after 2 1/3 innings.
Kelly scored on a passed ball and KP pitcher Scott Grzenda walked and came around Jim Weir’s single. Tim Coyle relieved Towne in the fifth, but the Warriors added three more on an RBI single by Grzenda and Weir’s two-run single. The Mustangs finally broke loose in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs to tie it. Coyle led with a walk and moved to second on a Jeff Putnam single. An error on Todd Newman’s bouncer to short loaded the bases with none out.
Tom Benson’s fielder’s choice and an infield hit scored two runs, leading to Crimmins’ dramatic blast. King Philip took a 6-5 lead in the sixth when Jason Romsey doubled and came home on Paul Carlow’s sacrifice fly, but Samargedlis’ homer gave the Mustangs new life heading into extra innings.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Norwood’s Title Hopes Rest on Young Pitcher Ken Berkland-This Day In Norwood History-April 4, 1944
A 16‑year‑old pitcher steps into the spotlight — can Ken Berkland keep Norwood’s title hopes alive?
-
Norwood High Bids for Title, Braves Will Sign Ray Martin After the Game-This Day in Norwood History-June 18, 1943
June 18, 1943-Norwood High Bids for Title, Braves Will Sign Ray Martin After the Game
-
Ray Marting Pitches No Hitter-This Day In Norwood History-April 29, 1943
Coming off a unanimous All-Scholastic selection the previous year and a stint in the national spotlight with the State Championship Legion Junior nine, Martin proved he hadn’t lost an ounce of velocity during the off-season. In the history of Norwood High athletics, few individual performances have ever matched the sheer dominance displayed on this April…
-
Norwood Youth Association Baseball Champions-This Day In Norwood History-October 7, 1939
The Norwood Press ball team will receive their jackets as champions of the N. Y. A. baseball league on Monday, the 16th. Jackets have been secured for the winners by the Norwood Loyal Order of Moose. Above, front row, left to right: Lou Parsons, p; Argo Bortilotti, lb; Ed Costello, 2b; Doc Thayer, ss; Ray…
-
Marty Callaghan Holds World Baseball Record-This Day In Norwood History-June 1, 1923
This Day In Norwood History-June 1, 1923-Marty Callaghan Holds World Baseball Record
-
Norwood High School Baseball Team-This Day In Norwood History-July 12, 1922
NORWOOD HIGH SCHOOL NINE DID WELL FOR ONE MADE UP OF NEW PLAYERS The Norwood High School baseball team in the past season won 11 and lost eight games. It faced the strongest teams in the State, which accounts for the larger number of upsets than in previous years. When the season opened, Coach Bennett…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.