Norwood was abuzz with excitement as the local American Legion baseball team, the Norwood Legion, finally awakened from its slumber. After a disappointing loss to Andover in the second game of their best-of-three series on Saturday, July 28, 1990, coach Pete Wall’s team was determined to make a statement.

The stage was set for a thrilling showdown between the two teams at Balch Field in Norwood, with the winner advancing to face Lowell in the next round. The atmosphere was electric as the crowd gathered to witness the battle of wits and athletic prowess between these two talented squads.

As the game got underway, it became clear that Norwood had finally found its rhythm. After a lackluster performance on Saturday, where Chris Eggert stifled their bats, the team’s offense came alive in a big way. With 14 hits and 10 walks issued by Andover pitching, every player contributed to the cakewalk victory.

But it wasn’t just the offense that shone bright; Norwood pitcher Mike McMahon pitched a five-hitter, with two strikeouts and two walks. His impressive performance was all the more remarkable considering he took a shutout and a three-hitter into the ninth inning, allowing only two runners to second base. Coach Wall praised McMahon’s effort, stating, “Mike pitched a tremendous game. It was nice to have a complete game.”

The Norwood Legion’s dominance on the field was evident from the start. They jumped to a 4-0 lead in their first at-bat, with Steve Cloherty driving in the first run. The team continued to pile on runs throughout the game, adding four more in the fourth inning highlighted by a double steal by Putnam and Newman.

As the final score of 15-2 in favor of Norwood became clear, it was evident that Andover had been thoroughly outplayed. Despite a valiant effort from their pitcher, Marinaro, the team’s bats were unable to keep up with the onslaught from Norwood.

The victory marked a turning point for the Norwood Legion, as they now looked forward to hosting Lowell in the next round of the American Legion baseball series. With their confidence boosted and their skills honed, the team was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

As coach Wall noted, “We really hit the ball tonight. We hit the ball last night (Saturday), but they were right to them. Tonight we hit it away from them.” The Norwood Legion’s awakening had finally arrived, and they were ready to make their mark in the world of American Legion baseball.

The team’s next challenge would be a best-of-three series against Lowell, with the first game scheduled for tonight at 7:30 at Balch Field. If a third game was necessary, a coin flip would determine the site. The Norwood Legion was ready to face whatever lay ahead, their spirits high and their determination unwavering.

As the team celebrated their victory, it was clear that they had finally found their footing in the American Legion baseball series. With their skills on full display and their confidence soaring, the Norwood Legion was a force to be reckoned with. The question on everyone’s mind was: what would happen next?

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

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