NORWOOD — May 29, 1957 — The Norwood High School Mustangs clinched the Bay State League baseball championship yesterday afternoon with a dramatic 5–4 victory over Dedham, a win made even sweeter as second‑place Framingham was toppled by Natick at nearly the same hour.

The title marks Norwood’s second consecutive league crown, and the third since 1952, further cementing the Mustangs’ reputation as one of the region’s premier scholastic baseball programs.

Grinavic Leads the Charge

At the plate, Tony Grinavic delivered a standout performance, collecting two triples and a single in four trips. Norwood erupted for four runs in the sixth inning, with Bob Armour driving in the decisive tally on a sharp single to center.

On the mound, Paul Murphy went the distance, earning his third win of the season against a single defeat. Under the steady leadership of Coach Andy Scafati, the Mustangs will face Framingham today in the final league game—though the outcome will not affect the standings.

Next Monday, Norwood will open play in the Eastern Massachusetts Schoolboy Baseball Tournament, with their first opponent yet to be announced.

Norwood Tops Milton, 6–2, Behind Wall and Murphy

Just days earlier, the Mustangs continued their late‑season surge with a 6–2 victory over Milton at Town Field. Pete Wall and Paul Murphy combined to hold Milton to five hits, while Kevin Dixon powered the offense with a torrid day at the plate.

Early Pressure Pays Off

Norwood threatened immediately in the first inning. Gerry Cloherty singled to right, followed by a perfectly placed bunt from Tony Grinavic. Kevin Dixon advanced both runners with a bunt of his own, but Milton escaped the inning without damage.

The breakthrough came in the second:

• Danny McKenna singled to left
• Bob Armour walked
• Paul Murphy singled home McKenna
• Armour scored on an errant throw
• Cloherty drove in Murphy with an infield hit

Norwood led 3–0.

Milton Fights Back

Milton scratched out a run in the fourth and another in the fifth, narrowing the margin to 3–2. With two runners aboard and momentum shifting, Coach Scafati summoned his ace, Pete “Boody” Wall, who promptly shut down the threat.

Dixon Delivers the Knockout

In the ninth, Armour singled, Wall reached on a fielder’s choice, and with two outs, Kevin Dixon blasted a drive between right and center. Armour and Wall scored easily as Dixon circled the bases for his first home run of the season, giving Norwood a commanding 6–2 lead.

Wall retired Milton in order in the bottom half, sealing the victory.

Five Straight Wins

The triumph marked Norwood’s fifth straight win, improving their record to 10–2. A scheduled matchup with Dedham was postponed by heavy rain and rescheduled for yesterday’s championship‑clinching contest.

Today, the Mustangs close out their league slate against Framingham, who defeated Norwood 13–3 in their first meeting.

SOURCE

“Norwood High Wins Bay State League Baseball Title,” The Norwood Messenger, May 29, 1957, p. 1.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)