On May 23, 1966, the Norwood High School Mustangs traveled to Natick and delivered a gritty, late‑inning surge to secure a 4–2 Bay State League victory, powered by the steady arm of Joe Giampa and the explosive bat of Richie Hebner.
Natick struck first, plating a run in the bottom of the opening inning. But from that moment on, Giampa settled into a rhythm that defined the game. The right‑hander threw five consecutive scoreless innings, mixing location and tempo to keep Natick’s hitters off balance. He struck out seven, walked only one, and allowed just six hits—an outing that showcased both poise and command.
Norwood answered immediately in the top of the first. Richie Hebner, already a rising star in the Bay State League, ripped a double to ignite the rally. Moments later, he crossed the plate on a sharp single by Mike Bradley, tying the game at 1–1.
For the next five innings, the teams traded zeros. Natick’s starter, Williamson, matched Giampa pitch for pitch, scattering nine Norwood hits but preventing any breakthrough. The tension built with each inning, the game hanging in the balance.
The Breakthrough
In the top of the seventh, Norwood finally broke through.
Giampa helped his own cause by leading off with a single. Joe Gugliotta followed with another hit, putting runners on first and second. A fielder’s choice erased Giampa at third, but Norwood’s momentum was building.
Then came the decisive blow.
With two runners aboard, Hebner launched a booming triple to right field, clearing the bases and giving Norwood a 3–1 lead. The ball rocketed off his bat, slicing through the late‑afternoon air and rolling deep into the corner as the Mustangs’ dugout erupted.
Hebner then scored on Bradley’s second RBI single of the day, stretching the lead to 4–1.
Natick mounted a final push in the bottom of the seventh, scoring once and bringing the tying run to the plate. But Giampa bore down, finishing what he started and sealing the win.
The victory lifted Norwood to 9–7, with momentum building as they prepared to host Milton the following day.
A Team Effort
While Hebner’s power and Giampa’s pitching defined the game, the Mustangs’ lineup delivered a balanced performance:
- Gugliotta went 3‑for‑4 with a run scored.
- Bradley drove in two runs and collected two hits.
- Hasenfus, Costello, and McCarthy contributed defensively to support Giampa’s strong outing.
It was the kind of win that reflected Norwood’s identity in the late 1960s: disciplined, resilient, and capable of turning a tight contest into a decisive victory with a single explosive inning.
Text and images may have been created, edited, colorized, or digitally restored using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.