It was an interesting week for the surging baseball team as they won a tight pitching duel, gave up a late lead to lose a game, and then won a blowout to run their record to 8-4 on the season and take one step closer to a spot in the state tournament.
The Vineyard bats exploded at Chatham on Monday, leading to an easy 15-0 win. The Vineyarders showed great patience by drawing 12 walks, while sprinkling in 10 hits.
Alec Tattersall started the game but pitched to only one batter and was pulled after hurting his back. Andy Williamson came in and pitched well, going seven innings while giving up only five hits and no earned runs. He had eight strikeouts and recorded only two walks.
Jack Roberts went 3-for-5 with two triples and five runs batted in and reached base six times. Chris Morris was 3-for-4 with two singles and two runs scored. Williamson went 2-for-3 at the plate and Kyp Cooperrider had a single for his first varsity hit.
Coach Simmons said his senior-laden team has great chemistry and is playing great ball.
“As the season goes on its gets more and more real — if we play like this we have a realistic shot of making the state tournament and also winning an Eastern Athletic Conference title, which would be a first for us,” he said, adding:
“I think we are a good team and a team that really likes each other – as much as I’ve ever seen. There are no little groups or factions. And the fact that we have so many seniors makes my job a lot easier. They show up and get their work done, but we manage to have to fun too,” he said.
Friday at home against Falmouth, the Vineyarders blew a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh by giving up three runs in a 6-4 loss.
Ryan Fisher started and went six innings with three runs, four strikeouts and a walk.
Jack Roberts relieved Fisher in the seventh and gave up three earned runs on five hits.
At the plate, Roberts went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a double, Noah Stobie was 2-for-3, and Ramon Espino was 1-for-3 with two runs batted in.
May 2, M.V. traveled to Somerset Berkley and edged the Raiders, 2-1.
Will Stewart started the game and continued his stellar campaign by throwing a complete game with three strikeouts and two walks while giving up only two hits. Stewart’s record is now 3-0 with a 1.25 earned run average.
