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Sometimes an eight-day layoff can hurt a pitcher’s game more than it can help, but once Norwood American Legion hurler Bob Baxter shook off an erratic start and a 3-0 deficit, he was devastating on the mound. Helping his own cause offensively with a two-run single in the fourth inning to break a 3-3 deadlock, Bob Baxter retired 17 of the last 18 batters he faced, striking out eight and securing a 7-3 victory over Peabody in the opening game of the best-of-three Eastern Sectional series at Norwood. Game 2 was scheduled for the following day in Peabody.
Norwood (improving to 25-1) initially struggled against the awkward sidearm delivery of Peabody pitcher Vito Mastrangelo, but eventually figured out his pitching, erupting for three runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth. It was tough for Bobby to throw strikes early in the game because of that eight-day break, but then he relaxed and loosened up a little and pitched his game the rest of the way, remarked Norwood coach Pete Wall. Peabody staked out a 3-0 lead in the third inning when Chris Collins singled, advanced on a wild pitch, scored on a Mark Andrews single, and Russ Steeves launched a two-run home run to left field. However, Peabody coach Lou Karger lamented his team’s inconsistency after that explosive frame.
Norwood chipped away in the fifth when Ted Decareau and Bob Baxter walked, Kevin Igoe singled to load the bases, and Bob Goonan emptied them with a clutch three-run double to left-center field just past the glove of left fielder Joe Pobiedziuski, tying the game 3-3. In the sixth, Norwood sealed the win with four runs: Derek Ghostlaw reached on a force out and stole second, Ted Decareau and Jim Delbou singled to load the bases, Bob Baxter drove in two runs with a single, and Chris Maloof laced an RBI single before scoring on a play where he was caught stealing, extending the lead to 7-3. Bob Baxter and the Norwood defense locked down the game, allowing only one base runner over the final four innings. For Game 2, Norwood planned to send Jim McCready to the mound against Peabody’s Mark Andrews—son of former Boston Red Sox second baseman Mike Andrews.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Babe Ruth Teams Positioned For Tournament Sweep-July 7, 2008
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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
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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.
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Norwood American Legion Baseball Team Battles to a Tie Against Andover-July 27, 1990
⠀ The Norwood American Legion baseball team battled against Andover in a thrilling 10-inning game, coming back from a 4-0 deficit to tie 5-5.
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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.
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Legion Baseball Built on Wall-August 14, 1987
Entering the Massachusetts state semifinals against Natick, Norwood American Legion baseball is guided by legendary 24-year head coach Pete Wall.
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Ace Baxter Dominates on Mound-August 12, 1987
Pitcher Bob Baxter struck out nine and drove in four runs, leading Norwood American Legion to a 9-1 victory over Reading in the Eastern Section series.
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Norwood American Legion Baseball Team One Win Away from State Title and Regional Berth-August 12, 1986
With a dominant 30-1 record, the Norwood American Legion baseball team faces Aldenville at Sargent Field in New Bedford seeking a second consecutive state championship.
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Norwood’s Tom Baxter Tosses Complete-Game Four-Hitter in New England Babe Ruth Tournament-August 4, 1986
Ace righthander Tom Baxter tossed a complete-game four-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead the Norwood Babe Ruth All-Stars past Maine 2-1 in the New England tournament opener in Warwick, R.I.
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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.
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