Norwood Survives Eagles’ Furious Ninth-Inning Rally to Defeat BC High, 8-7
The Norwood High School baseball team exhibited plenty of skill over the first five innings and survived a ninth-inning rally to defeat BC High, 8-7, Saturday in the semifinals of the EMass Division 1 South sectional tournament at Rockland.
The Norwood High School baseball team exhibited plenty of skill over the first five innings and survived a ninth-inning rally to defeat BC High, 8-7, Saturday in the semifinals of the EMass Division 1 South sectional tournament at Rockland. With the victory, the Mustangs earned a spot in today’s sectional final against undefeated Brockton at Rockland. “I was really worried about them coming back.” Norwood Coach Pete Wall said after the game. “I knew they could hit the ball well, but the problems started when Scott (Generazo) got tired.”
Generazo had thrown 137 pitches going into the final inning but was able to get the first two outs of the ninth after Ed Pollis had reached on an infield chop into no man’s land. Things quickly went downhill for the junior left-hander. He walked the next three hitters, forcing in a run when Peter Hughes drew the third free base. Bob Goonan was brought in to relieve Generazo and was greeted by an RBI single by Pat Walsh. When Ted Roberts followed with a two-run single, the once big lead had been trimmed to one with two runners on. Goonan settled down to retire Steve Minichiello to end the game.
The start of the game certainly wasn’t an indication of things to come. The Mustangs jumped all over BC High starter Doug MacNeil for four runs in the first inning. Joe Barrett started the inning with a slicing double to right that was followed by successive walks to Goonan and Mike Wall, which loaded the bases. MacNeil retired the next two batters, but Jim Delbou kept the inning alive with a two-run double to left. Derrick Ghostlaw‘s grounder was misplayed, allowing two runs to cross.
BC High began to chip away. With one out in the second, Walsh singled, stole second and scored on a single by Roberts. The Eaglets added another in the fifth when Bob Galibois drove in Minichiello with a sacrifice fly. Norwood responded with another four spot in the fifth. Barrett walked, Goonan doubled and Wall worked relief pitcher Bob Higgins for a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch that scored Barrett. Goonan scored when Ted Decareau‘s grounder was mishandled. Another walk filled the bases again for Ghostlaw who beat out an infield hit, scoring one. Scott Generazo‘s fielder’s choice drove in the final run of the inning. The Eaglets scored a run in the seventh on an RBI single by Paul Carey, setting up the wild ninth.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Sports Stories
-
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…
-
Norwood Mustangs Edge Out Needham 12-7 Behind Defensive Stand and Mike Gulla’s Two Touchdowns-September 29, 1975
Mike Gulla scores two touchdowns and the Norwood defense holds firm as the Mustangs defeat Needham 12-7 in a hard-fought Bay State League football contest.
-
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.
-
Norwood Girls Win-June 4, 1975
A game-saving catch at second base by captain Jeannie Ellis seals a dramatic 4-3 opening-round tournament win for Norwood girls’ softball.
-
Norwood Legion Team Masters the Suicide Squeeze-July 3, 1974
The Norwood American Legion baseball team showcased a high-stakes brand of baseball on the evening of July 2, 1974, demonstrating a masterclass in the “suicide squeeze” play to secure an 8-4 interzone victory over Wellesley at Legion Field. While the play is often considered a rarity in the modern game, Norwood coach Frank Wall has…
-
Smelstor Leads Norwood-June 7, 1974
It was Kathy Smelstor day in Wakefield yesterday and she and her friends enjoyed every minute of it. Kathy Smelstor and friends also happen to be the Norwood High girls softball team which is coached by a very happy Kathy Burt, who had gone through a tight contest a couple of days earlier to remain…
-
Norwood’s Backfield Shows Improvement-September 6, 1973
Facing an opening game against Framingham South, Norwood High football coach John Doherty praises his developing backfield depth despite early season injuries and inexperience.
-
Lou Gehrig League Debuts in Norwood-July 11, 1973
Inaugural Season of the Lou Gehrig Baseball League On July 11, 1973, the newly formed Lou Gehrig League prepared to launch its inaugural teenage baseball season. ⠀ The debut was scheduled for a Thursday night under the lights at American Legion Stadium in Norwood, featuring two teams of 13 and 14-year-old local boys. Named in…
-
Norwood Defeats Wellesley 4-1-July 10, 1973
Norwood vs. Wellesley American Legion Baseball On the evening of July 9, 1973, the Norwood American Legion baseball team traveled to Wellesley with aspirations of securing a lead in the Zone 6A standings. The team successfully achieved its goal, returning home with a 4-1 victory, which placed them just a half game ahead of Walpole…
-
Norwood, Arlington tip foes set up dream EsMass final-March 12, 1972
By Kevin Wall Globe Staff A tired Billy-Clifford blasted away from the top of the left faceoff circle in sudden death overtime yesterday to carry top-seeded Norwood to a 3-2 semifinal victory over Matignon in Division I of the Eastern Mass. Hockey Tournament. Arlington had gained the final a half hour earlier before 12,092 at…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.