Ron Marshalsea Throws Complete-Game Shutout and Chris Collins Hits Bases-Loaded Single Sparking Late-Inning Rally as Manager Minty Kuporatz’s Squad Advances
LAWRENCE — On a night when there was no margin for error, the Norwood American Legion baseball team excelled in all phases of the sport, sweeping a doubleheader from Lynn Post 6 last night at Mark Devlin Field to secure a coveted berth in this weekend’s State American Legion Championships. Short on pitching and facing elimination, Norwood received a stellar opening performance from Ron Marshalsea, who pitched a masterful five-hitter in a 6-0 shutout victory. In the Eastern Playoff championship nightcap, John Balerna contributed 3.1 innings of hitless relief and Chris Collins delivered the big bat in a dramatic 8-3 come-from-behind win.
“It looked bad,” admitted Norwood manager Minty Kuporatz, whose club trailed 3-1 in the fifth inning of the second game. Norwood clawed back with single runs in the fifth and sixth before breaking the game open with a two-out, five-run rally in the eighth. “We were just trying so hard to get one run. I never thought we’d get five,” Kuporatz said. Collins stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in a 3-3 tie after Paul Yelapi reached on an error by Lynn shortstop John Wade, followed by walks to Balerna and Phil McAvoy. Collins wasted no time drilling reliever Art Georgeau’s first pitch to left field for two runs. Following an infield hit by Frank Auditore—his fifth hit of the night—Tom Kates walloped a bases-loaded triple to right-center, cementing an 8-3 lead. “He threw me the curveball my last time. I just kept my head on the ball,” said Collins, who went 3-for-3 down the stretch after starting the tournament 3-for-18.
In the opener, Marshalsea commanded the mound, walking only one batter in the ninth inning and retiring 12 straight hitters at one point, while Lynn starter Dave McCarthy struggled with control, walking nine batters in six innings. Norwood capitalized on defensive miscues and walks, highlighted by John Balerna’s two-run home run in the eighth and Auditore’s three hits. Defensively, Larry Copponi preserved the shutout in the sixth inning with a sensational diving catch in right field on a sinking liner by John Valeri.
In the nightcap, Marshalsea started on short rest but grew weary, giving up a 3-1 lead before relievers Dan Kennedy and Balerna shut down Lynn. Collins added an RBI single in the fifth, Yelapi tied it in the sixth with a bases-loaded infield hit, and Balerna slammed the door in relief to earn the pitching win, sending Norwood to the state finals.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Mustangs Punish Rebel Miscues in Tournament Opener-June 5, 1986
Capitalizing on nine defensive miscues by rival Walpole, Coach John Solomon’s Norwood Mustangs cruised to an 11-3 postseason opening statement.
-
Norwood Caps Dream Season, Captures First State American Legion Title Since 1942-August 15, 1985
Behind a stellar pitching performance from Bob Baxter and a clutch two-run triple by Ned Brigham, Norwood edged Grafton Hill 3-2 to win the state title.
-
Norwood American Legion Baseball Team Takes Control of State Finals- August 13, 1985
Undefeated at 2-0 in the state finals, Norwood defeated Braintree 11-2 behind Tim Cox’s complete-game pitching and six combined RBIs from Pete Jr. and Mike Wall.
-
Norwood American Legion Crushes Weymouth 12-4 in State Tournament Opener-August 14, 1978
Powered by home runs from Chris Collins, Dan Kennedy, and John Balerna alongside 15 hits, Norwood routed Weymouth 12-4 in the state tournament opener.
-
Norwood Dominates Needham in Zone 6A American Legion Baseball Playoffs-July 26, 1978
The sun was shining brightly on the baseball field as the Norwood team took to the field against their arch-nemesis, Needham. The stage was set for an epic battle between two of the top teams in Zone 6A American Legion Baseball playoffs. However, it became clear early on that Norwood had a distinct advantage over…
-
The John Balerna Show-June 3, 1978
Mustangs Blank Waltham in Tourney Opener In high school postseason baseball, you occasionally see an individual athlete put a team on his back and single-handedly dictate the outcome of a game. But what senior ace John Balerna did on Friday, June 2, 1978, went far beyond a standard standout performance. In the opening round of…
-
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…
-
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 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…
-
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…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.