On the evening of July 5, 1974, the Norwood American Legion baseball team demonstrated a newfound balance between its potent offense and a revitalized pitching staff, securing a decisive 13-2 victory over Dedham in Zone 6 play.
For much of the early season, Norwood had relied heavily on its hitters to carry the team, but the return of two key pitchers from injury provided a much-needed boost to the squad’s championship aspirations.
The starting pitcher for Norwood was Dave McMullin, who was making only his second appearance of the season after recovering from a bout of strep throat. McMullin was in command from the beginning, throwing no-hit baseball through the first three innings and striking out the side in the opening frame. By the time he completed five innings of work, he had recorded seven strikeouts while allowing only two hits and two walks, earning his first victory of the season. As McMullin’s arm began to tire in the fifth, Brian Baldwin—returning to action following a separated shoulder—took the mound. Baldwin efficiently retired the side in the sixth before the game was concluded due to darkness.
The Norwood bats remained as dangerous as ever, tallying 11 hits and capitalizing on three errors by the Dedham fielders. The scoring began early when Tom Gover hit the first of his two home runs, putting Norwood ahead 1-0 after two innings. The third inning proved to be the turning point, as Norwood sent 11 batters to the plate. After Andy French hit a two-out triple and scored on an error, the team ignited a rally. Singles from McMullin, Jim Carchedi, and Joe Benson drove in runs, followed by a three-run home run from Gover that landed down the left-field line.
The offensive onslaught continued in the fourth inning. French led off with a home run, and Gover later drove in his fifth run of the night. Mike Wall contributed to the tally with a triple, helping Norwood build a commanding lead. Dedham managed to score two runs in the fourth—thanks to a walk by Jim Nyhan and a single by John Tasker—but the comeback effort was stifled by the Norwood defense. Norwood capped the night’s scoring in the fifth with French’s second home run of the game and a triple from Baldwin, who then scored the final run. Dedham coach Jim Fitzgerald acknowledged the quality of the opposition, stating, “Norwood hit well and got good pitching.” Norwood coach Pete Wall was equally pleased with the team’s progress, noting, “We’ve been getting the hitting all season but not the pitching. We’re beginning to put it all together now that McMullin and Baldwin have returned.”
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.