Mustangs’ Coach lopes It Happens-May 22, 1969

On May 22, 1969, Norwood baseball fans were buzzing with anticipation. The Norwood High School Mustangs, already leading the Bay State League, were preparing for a marquee matchup against Walpole. But the real story was the lanky junior left‑hander who had become the talk of the town: Bill Travers.

Travers, who had already compiled a flawless 9–0 record, was poised to chase history. If he secured his tenth win, he would surpass the 9–0 mark set in 1956 by none other than Peter Wall—now the Mustangs’ head coach. Wall, far from guarding his own legacy, openly rooted for his young ace.

“I hope he does break it,” Wall said after Norwood’s latest victory. “In fact, I think he’s going to win 11 games.”

The Mustangs had just improved to 14–2 after an 11–6 comeback win over Wellesley, a game that showcased both the team’s resilience and the depth of its pitching staff. While Travers was the headline, senior right‑hander Tom Gugliotta delivered a standout performance, earning the win and lifting his record to 5–2.

But the victory did not come easily.

A Rocky Start

Wellesley jumped out to a 3–0 lead, capitalizing on a mix of hits, walks, and Norwood errors. Bob Burger singled in the first, advanced on a misplay, and scored alongside Powell and Fran Keefe. By the end of the second inning, the Red Raiders held a commanding advantage.

On the mound, Wellesley starter Gary Maupas was nearly unhittable through five innings. The senior right‑hander had not allowed a hit—though he had walked four—and seemed in full control.

The Turning Point

Everything changed in the bottom of the sixth.

Joe Porcello broke up the no‑hit bid with a sharp single. Jerry Ranalli walked, and Jerry McTernan laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Gugliotta then reached on a fielder’s choice, and Porcello and Ranalli scored on a combination of Wellesley miscues.

Suddenly, the Mustangs were back in it.

The Seventh‑Inning Surge

Norwood erupted for six runs in the seventh, a rally built on disciplined hitting, aggressive baserunning, and pressure‑inducing small ball. The inning featured:

• Singles by Paul Piccirilli, Porcello, Travers, and Paul Giblin
• A walk to Steve Fischer
• A sacrifice bunt by Ranalli
• Stolen bases by Travers and Giblin
• Two Wellesley errors

The decisive blow came from Porcello, whose two‑run single put Norwood ahead 4–3—a lead they would never relinquish. Ranalli followed with a squeeze bunt that made it 5–3, and the Mustangs never looked back.

By the eighth inning, Norwood added three more runs off reliever Larry Vielhaber, sealing the 11–6 triumph.

Looking Ahead

With the league lead intact and Travers scheduled to pitch against Walpole the next day, excitement was building. If the Mustangs remained atop the standings, they would face a Bay State League All‑Star team—though Wall made clear that Travers would not pitch in that exhibition, preserving him for a crucial matchup against Dedham the following Tuesday.

The Patriot Ledger’s account captured a team on the rise, a coach cheering on a record‑breaking season, and a young pitcher on the brink of becoming a Norwood sports legend.

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