9-3 Victory Over Saugus in State Babe Ruth Tournament
On July 26, 1979, Kevin Faherty delivered a powerhouse performance on the mound and at the plate, leading Norwood to a convincing 9-3 victory over Saugus at Trum Field in Somerville. Remaining undefeated in the double-elimination state Babe Ruth tournament, Norwood advanced to face the winner of the Saugus-Milton matchup. Kevin Faherty keyed the offense by launching a hanging curveball over the center-field fence for a crucial two-run home run, capping a four-run fourth inning that put Norwood ahead for good.
Using his right arm just as effectively, Kevin Faherty relied on low fastballs to baffle Saugus hitters, scattering just four hits over a complete-game victory. Reflecting on his pitching strategy, Kevin Faherty noted, “I had to keep the ball low. I got the pitches up for a while, and they ripped them. So I brought them back down quick.” His only rocky frame came in the bottom of the fourth when, after retiring the first two batters on ground balls, he surrendered a single to Chuck Howard, an error that allowed Howard to score, and an RBI double.
Norwood started slow, going down in order through the first three innings before explosive emotions sparked a rally. Norwood coach Len Harris pointed to a heated confrontation between innings, stating that the Saugus third-base coach threatened a Norwood infielder and that Saugus coach John Ferrari allegedly elbowed Mickey DeStephano as Mickey DeStephano ran off the field—an account substantiated by Mickey DeStephano, while John Ferrari declined to comment. Once play resumed, Norwood channeled its energy into the game. Mickey DeStephano reached on an error to lead off the fourth, John Coyle doubled him home, and Mike Conti followed by fouling off six two-strike pitches before lacing an RBI double.
Norwood padded its lead in the sixth inning when Mike Devine singled, advanced on an outfield error, and scored on pinch-hitter Jim Wenstrom‘s single. Jim Wenstrom advanced on an outfield throw and moved to third when Ken Webster reached on an error. Although Ken Webster missed a sign and got caught halfway on an attempted steal, the Saugus first baseman threw wildly into the stands trying to cut him down, allowing Jim Wenstrom to trot home. Mike Devine, Jim Wenstrom, and Sean Foley drove in Norwood’s final runs in the seventh. Defensively, Norwood snuffed out a Saugus threat in the sixth when Chuck Howard tripled and LeBranti walked; catcher Ken Webster fired a strike to second baseman Mickey DeStephano, who caught LeBranti stealing to neutralize the lead runner.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Babe Ruth Teams Positioned For Tournament Sweep-July 7, 2008
Norwood Babe Ruth Squads Dominate District 5 Tournament Openers The annual predictability of summer rituals arrived alongside the late June heat as Norwood Babe Ruth programs established early dominance in the District 5 Double-Elimination Tournament. With the 13, 14, and 15-year-old all-star squads each securing a pair of victories at the end of June, the…
-
Norwood Completes Unlikely Run With Title-June 10, 1991
Armed with only one returning starter and surviving a rocky 4-4 start, the Mustangs pull off a late-inning rally to secure a historic diamond crown. Categories (3–6 layout-appropriate tags): local history, schools, sports, baseball
-
Mustangs Batter Harbormen in Sectional Quarterfinal Rout-June 4, 1991
Pitching took a backseat as the Norwood High baseball order erupted for 16 hits and 18 runs to punch their ticket to the South sectional semifinals.
-
Adams, Norwood work OT-June 6, 1988
A long, grinding tournament matchup turned wild as Norwood clawed back from a five‑run deficit, blasted two game‑saving homers, and leaned on an unlikely pitching hero.
-
Norwood Prevails Over Westwood in Hard-Fought American Legion Matchup-July 16, 1986
Despite a demanding schedule and early deficits, the reigning state champions maintained their momentum ahead of the upcoming playoff series.
-
Mustangs Punish Rebel Miscues in Tournament Opener-June 5, 1986
Capitalizing on nine defensive miscues by rival Walpole, Coach John Solomon’s Norwood Mustangs cruised to an 11-3 postseason opening statement.
-
Norwood Dominates Needham in Zone 6A American Legion Baseball Playoffs-July 26, 1978
The sun was shining brightly on the baseball field as the Norwood team took to the field against their arch-nemesis, Needham. The stage was set for an epic battle between two of the top teams in Zone 6A American Legion Baseball playoffs. However, it became clear early on that Norwood had a distinct advantage over…
-
The John Balerna Show-June 3, 1978
Mustangs Blank Waltham in Tourney Opener In high school postseason baseball, you occasionally see an individual athlete put a team on his back and single-handedly dictate the outcome of a game. But what senior ace John Balerna did on Friday, June 2, 1978, went far beyond a standard standout performance. In the opening round of…
-
Surgery Helped Bill Travers Elbow His Way To Big League Heights-July 4, 1976
MILWAUKEE — Young Bill Travers likes to think of himself as a modern marvel of medicine, on sort of a low-budget scale. He is the $400 Bionic man. At least that’s how much an operation in 1973 that turned around his career cost. “One guy wrote that I go out and pitch each game with…
-
Mustangs Erupt for 21 Runs-June 4, 1975
An 8-inning rain delay brought mercy to Lynn Tech as Coach Pete Wall’s Norwood Mustangs ran wild in a massive 21-0 postseason routing.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.