Remembering Joe Ruth and his love for the game
Local baseball legend died Sunday at 68
He’s listed at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds on the Lunenburg Phillies website, but regardless of size, Joe Ruth has been among the titans of Central Mass. baseball for five decades, a giant in the sporting world.
The longtime Phillies second baseman and manager helped bring the men’s league franchise to Lunenburg in 1984 from its old home in Pepperell, competing in several organizations before landing for good in the former Central Massachusetts Baseball League which is now known as the Central New England Baseball Association (CNEBA).
In his younger years, Ruth was an infielder with a keen eye at the plate. In more recent years, as age and illnesses took their tolls, he settled into his role as a highly-respected manager and team builder. To talk baseball with him was to see into the soul of Ruth, who’s life was tied to the sport.
The Lunenburg Phillies legend died Sunday at the age of 68.
An Oakmont Regional and North Adams State graduate, Ruth worked for 17 years at Rollstone Bank and Trust in Fitchburg, reaching senior vice president before retiring in 2020, but impacted hundreds of lives on the diamond. A high school hockey and baseball player, Ruth’s passion for the latter never faded, even in the years when his body wouldn’t let him compete on the field.
I, like many others who knew Joe, spent countless hours talking about sports and life with him. At first, our relationship was merely based on my profession. I’d cover a game, I’d talk to Joe and I’d call it a day.
As the years passed, he became less of a professional contact and more of a friend. We’d talk at length about upcoming seasons for preview pieces, but those conversations would stray to how life was going. How our families were doing. Outlooks for professional sports teams we followed.
It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to begin talking about the projected starting outfield for the Phillies only to drift off and discuss what the Boston Bruins needed to do to succeed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We’d go from discussing infielders to discussing our respective children without missing a beat.
As long as you enjoyed baseball to some degree, you’d enjoy talking to Joe. Sure, he was a man who could talk at length about nearly anything, but America’s pastime had a hold on his heart that only his family could compete with.
There was a time years ago when Joe’s son Andy was a Phillie and to hear the former talk of those times in recent years, the pride was evident, even if it wasn’t as obvious while the two were teammates. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and nostalgia was one of Joe’s specialties. To have played with his son was certainly as big a highlight in his career as any championship the elder Ruth ever won.
It’s a shame Joe Ruth never wrote a book chronicling his years in what many would refer to as “semi-pro” baseball, but in reality was simply a way for men of all ages to hold onto their childhood dreams of baseball glory. That’s not a knock on anyone playing at any level; Ruth’s stories of greatness and failures on the diamond were captivating and would rival some MLB tales.
As a player, a manager and president of the CNEBA, Ruth had seen it all. Yet he never wanted to stop. There was no opportunity to walk away that was alluring enough to draw him away from the game he loved.
He retired from his job in the real world. He became a grandfather, a loving and proud one, at that. And baseball still pulled him back in every winter, preparing for a season with players who became his second family. Players he spent as much time with as his actual family when the summer months rolled around.
And he loved every minute of it. Even when he’d complain about scheduling conflicts and trying to field enough good players for a team, I’d ask the same question and get the same answer every time.
“Why don’t you stop doing it? Has that ever crossed your mind?”
“What else am I going to do?,” he’d reply. “I love it. If it was just about the baseball, I probably would have given up on it a long time ago…. It’s about bonding with these guys and playing the game.”
In addition to spending endless hours focused on the Phillies, Ruth had helped coach at North Middlesex Regional under Jim Beauregard in recent years. And he beamed with pride at Polar Park last June as he watched his high school alma mater capture a Division 3 championship as Oakmont secured its first state title.
“As much of a great baseball guy as Joe was, he was an even better person. Once you were a Phillie, you were always a Phillie to Joe and he would do anything he could to help you both on and off the diamond,” Oakmont baseball head coach and former Phillie Tim Caouette said in an email. “I’m sure that 95% of us former and current Phillies have stories about Joe going out of his way to do something memorable or special for us off the field. Whether it was a congratulatory card sent through the mail, a goofy baseball related gift, or an impromptu random lunch seemingly out of nowhere, he was just so great at reminding you that he cared. We are all really going to miss that.”
Who will take the reins of the Phillies and the CNEBA in the immediate future will be a discussion for another time. There will certainly be well deserved tributes to Ruth. And things definitely won’t be the same without him.
2023 PHILLIES WRAP UP ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON BUT FALL SHORT IN SEMI-FINALS
The Phillies, who finished in 2nd place in the regular season with a record of 17-9, lost their semi-final matchup with long-time rivals Ronnies of Worcester with a 2 games to none series including a 1-0 extra inning loss at McLaughlin Field in Leominster. The Phillies finished with an overall record of 19-12 and are already looking forward to the 2024 season!
PHILLIES ANNOUNCE 2023 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
The Phillies 2023 Most Valuable Player, as voted by his teammates, was veteran second baseman Steve LaJoie. Steve played in all 31 games, batted .443, drove in 20 runs and played stellar defense.
US Marine Corps veteran Ariel Ramos was voted as the team's 2023 Pitcher of the Year. After not having pitched competively in several years, had a record of 3-1 in 33+ innings, with an ERA of 1.47. While not pitching competively over the last few years, Ariel has been busy coaching at the collegiate level and providing individual pitching lessons!
Sean Dutton was voted the team's 2023 Rookie of the Year. Sean batted .371 and played in a couple of different outfield positions. Had 5 doubles, 5 triples and drove in 16 runs.
PHILLIES WELL REPRESENTED AT 2022 CNEBA ALL-STAR GAME
In the first-ever All-Star game with the long established Yawkey League, 6 Phillies participated in addition to CNEBA Manager Joe Ruth. Danny Garcia homered, Jon Belliard and Pat Gilman each had a hit, and (no surprise) Tyler Smith was hit by a pitch. Brady Aubuchon started the game for the CNEBA and pitched the first 2 innings. Steve LaJoie played most of the game at second base and hit a screaming line drive back at the pitcher - unfortunately it landed in his glove and he turned it into a double play! The CNEBA lost by a score of 5-4, but it was a fun game and we look forward to doing it again next year!
Pictured, from left, are Tyler Smith, Pat Gilman, Joe Ruth, Steve LaJoie, Danny Garcia, Brady Aubuchon and Jon Belliard.
JOSH DESAI OPENS 2022 SEASON WITH NO-HITTER!
The Phillies opened the 2022 season in style with a doubleheader sweep of the Oxford Inferno. Desai, the Phillies ace since joining the team in 2020, struck out 15 with the only blemish on his gem being a hit batter in the 6th inning. The final score in Game 1 was 4-0.
CJ Zemetres and Shea Zina combined to win Game 2 by a score of 5-1.
Strange’ season shaping up for amateur sports teams
Regulations giving games a different look
By NICK MALLARD | nmallard@sentinelandenterprise.com | Sentinel & Enterprise
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
In his nearly 40 years with the Lunenburg Phillies franchise, Joe Ruth has seen plenty of things that defy explanation.
His time in the Central New England Baseball Association has produced both overachieving and underachieving teams, groups that included future Major Leaguers and unforgettable characters, and plays that Ruth still has trouble wrapping his head around.
So when the 64-year-old Ruth addresses the condensed 2020 CNEBA season with just two words, the descriptions are worth noting: strange and stressful.
As both manager of the Phillies and CNEBA president, Ruth has had the stress of securing Marshall Park for use as Lunenburg’s home ballpark and the added task of familiarizing himself with the guidelines set by Governor Charlie Baker for the return of organized sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic..
“It’s been a long week,” Ruth said Wednesday. “Maybe the most stressful week of my life.”
The state’s list of rules for baseball leagues to reopen is a lengthy one. Phase three of the state’s reopening standards addresses both youth and adult amateur sports, with baseball listed under the category of “moderate risk” as “intermittent contact” can be balanced with “protective equipment or mitigating measures.”
Moderate risk sports are open for Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the guidelines, which allow practices and competitions, but no tournaments. Gatherings of teams and athletes for tournaments are reserved, for the time being, for lower risk sports, such as tennis, golf and gymnastics, where interpersonal contact is very limited.
Higher risk sports like football, hockey and basketball will be limited to “socially distanced group activities,” such as no-contact workouts.
Ruth noted that he’s been instructed that all players within the dugout are to wear masks and he’s asked players to bring chairs to games so they can be seated in foul territory with the six feet of distance between them being mandated by the state. Disinfecting of the dugout both before and after games is also called for.
He’s also been instructed that in situations where distancing isn’t an option – at the plate or at first base, for example – masks are to be worn by players and officials.
The state’s rules for sports also prohibit handshakes or high fives, stating “sportsmanship should continue in a touchless manner.” Picture a walk-off home run being met simply with shouted compliments.
Furthermore, taking in a game looks to be a tough task this summer, with the guidelines stating the following for outdoor competitions and tournaments: “No more than 100 people including participants, players, coaches, volunteers, spectators in the aggregate in, on, or surrounding any surface/playing area or start/finish lines at any one time, provided that there is adequate space for all participants, players, coaches, volunteers and spectators to maintain at least six feet social distancing, recognizing that for some moderate risk sports intermittent contact may occur for players.”
The modest bleachers at Marshall Park were surrounded by caution tape on Wednesday, keeping spectators from gathering in close quarters for the Phillies’ season opener against the Littleton Mariners.
Strange times, indeed.
Lunenburg Phillies loaded with depth
Team looking for CNEBA 3-peat
By M STEWART |
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
LUNENBURG — The Lunenburg Phillies have been the team to beat in the Central New England Baseball Association (CNEBA) for the last half-decade, and with the most depth manager Joe Ruth says he’s had during the run, the expectations are pretty high in Lunenburg.
With the risk of illness due to coronavirus, and injury, with a condensed season, Ruth feels he has the depth to withstand a lot of potential problems, and have a good shot at a three-peat this summer.
The Phillies have won three of the last four, and four of the last six CNEBA titles and could start the season as early as Monday (pending approval) against Ronnie’s of Worcester.
“In a short season, anything can happen,” Ruth said. “We’re way ahead of the game and I don’t want to get ahead of myself… But it’s probably the deepest team I’ve had.”
With 28 players on the roster, including 11 pitchers, it is going to be a challenge getting everyone on the team the proper amount of reps, Ruth thinks. With the state’s next phase being pushed back a week, Lunenburg also lost out on three preseason contests to ramp up for the season, but having that extra depth could help to overcome the condensed preseason training and hastened 18-game regular season.
It’s a tough debate as to what the Phillies’ biggest strength will be this year, but with five starting pitchers able to match up against any starter in the league, Ruth says, the pitching could strike some fear in opponents this year.
It all starts with ace Kevin O’Connor, who proved to be the strongest pitcher in the league last year with a 7-0 record, a 0.43 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 11 walks.
“(O’Connor) was the pitcher of the year in the league last year,” Ruth said. “He was pitching just lights out.”
Matt Morissette (4-3, 2.66 ERA, 51K, 16 BB) has been the most durable over the years, accumulating a ton of innings, and willing to come back on short notice or in relief if need be.
Nathan Ginsberg (3.05 ERA) is a former professional player with a busy schedule, but when available can be another strong starter.
Shawn O’Donnell (0.93 ERA) suffered an injury early last season, but rehabbed and returned to pick up a victory in the championship series against Clinton, allowing the only two runs of his five outings last summer in the game. Justin Watt returns after a one-year hiatus from the team, and Ruth says he has the potential to be signed to a professional baseball team.
Josh Desai is a newcomer who could work his way into the top of the lineup, Ruth says. Connor Palma and Parker Bigelow will provide strong reinforcements. Ruth notes that Rodrigo Encarnación is showing noteworthy improvement from last year and Jameson Carroll and Tyler Hapenny are notable newcomers.
The infield for the Phillies comes with the most amount of depth and experience for fielding positions. Eight-year veteran Jon Belliard, who had a .353 batting average, 2 home runs, and 25 RBI in 2019 will carry the team’s offensive production, along with first basemen Pat Gilman (.325 BA, 4 HR, 15 RBI) and Brennan Cuddahy (.269 BA, 2 HR, 11 RBI) who will be hitting right behind the power-hitting veteran.
“Jon Belliard is an outstanding talent,” Ruth said. “Every time he shows up at the ballpark, I smile. He changes the whole dynamic of this ballclub. He’s such a leader, and one of the best we’ve had.”
Lunenburg is experienced and strong defensively up the middle with shortstop Alex Heroux (.347, 17 RBI) and second baseman Steve LaJoie (.284). Rey Serrano, who started much of last year at third base and hit .296, will get significant innings and will likely float around the infield, while Hunter Weissman, Justin Robbins and Max Hytinen will vie for catching minutes.
Anthony Silverio and Chris Ausiello round out the infield’s depth. Ausiello was a projected starter at shortstop for Worcester State University this past canceled spring season.
The outfield can be a source of pop offensively as well, with Gilman playing right field at times, Ginsberg (.415) in left, and Dave Mason (.305, 1 HR, 13 RBI) in center. Cooper Bigelow (.305) might be the team’s most versatile player, with the ability to play anywhere in the outfield, as well as many of the infield positions.
Summer baseball: Phillies to start title defense Monday
CNEBA to play condensed season
By NICK MALLARD | nmallard@sentinelandenterprise.com | Sentinel & Enterprise
The boys of summer are set to head out to fields across the region.
Opening Monday, the Lunenburg Phillies will begin their defense of their Central New England Baseball Association title, hosting Ronnie’s of Worcester at Marshall Park with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
As previously reported, the CNEBA season will be compacted to 18 games for each team in order to wrap up in early August, with the Phillies hitting the road on Aug. 2 to close out the regular season with a game against the Clinton 76ers. From there, all eight teams in the league – including the newly formed Fitchburg A’s, comprised of both current Fitchburg State players and alumni – will take part in the playoffs.
The Phillies have captured the past two CNEBA titles, winning three of the last four and four of the last six league crowns. Led by manager Joe Ruth, the team has plenty of experience, with veteran players Jonathan Belliard, Pat Gilman, Nathan Ginsberg, Alex Heroux, David Mason, Matt Morissette and Kevin O’Connor – the league’s pitcher of the year last season after going 7-0 with a 0.42 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 49 innings – all among those boasting plenty of CNEBA experience.
The A’s will kick off their first season on Tuesday evening, hosting Clinton at St. Bernard’s in Fitchburg. The team, led by FSU class of 2020 Matthew Pingitore, features 14 current college players, 13 of whom are Falcons.
Phillies happy to be back on diamond
Lunenburg looking for CNEBA three-peat
Lunenburg Phillies’ Connor Wironen crosses home plate after a home run during a game last year. The Phillies will be looking for a third straight CNEBA championship this summer. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/JOHN LOVE
By M STEWART |
With a veteran-laden team, the question surrounding the Lunenburg Phillies is whether that wisdom will lead to a three-peat as Central New England Baseball Association champions.
So far, so good, says Phillies Manager Joe Ruth, as his squad took to Marshall Park to open the preseason practice portion of the year last week. Practice will go until July 5, when the season is expected to open up, assuming no reopening setbacks from the state.
“(The team’s fitness) is better than I feared,” Ruth said. “Let’s put it that way, because we’re about seven weeks behind. We would’ve started in the middle of April. We’re quite a ways behind, but the guys have been okay. The younger guys, they can roll out of bed, and they’re in shape, the veteran guys are different.”
With preseason practice time shrinking from five weeks to three, the risk of injury among veterans is a concern. Ruth is emphasizing stretching for some of his veteran players, especially given the accelerated schedule.
“I’m always worried about injuries, because I feel that I’m old,” veteran infielder Alex Heroux said. “It’s going to be different, especially for pitchers, not being able to warm up and kind of ramp up the way they normally do. The hitters I think will be okay, but it’s definitely going to be an adjustment. If we can get out there and have a season, we’ll be happy no matter what it looks like.”
Even a small injury can turn into a big problem for a player. Veteran infielder Steve LaJoie says players can overcome a minor setback in a prolonged season, but with 18 games over essentially a four-week stretch (28 days), even the slightest injury or strain can take a player out for the entire season.
“Any injury can last for three weeks at a minimum,” LaJoie said. “If you’re sore, or anything is bothering you, you aren’t looking good for the rest of the season.”
Heroux sees optimism surrounding the team’s chances to defend its two straight CNEBA titles, with virtually the entire team back and only two new additions to the squad. The Phillies won three of the last four, and four of the last six CNEBA titles.
“I hope there’s no asterisk on the season,” Heroux said. “It’ll be fun. We have a good team coming back, and we’ve been good for a few years, and have a lot of good players. So hopefully we’ll be able to defend it, it’s going to be tough, though, because there are some good teams in the league.”
There are friendly jabs taking place between some CNEBA teams through social media at this point in the season, LaJoie says, and those that came up on the short end of a league title last year are certainly aware of what team is the defending champion.
“We definitely have a target, and the Twitter wars are getting crazy,” LaJoie said. “It started toward the end of last year with the teams, so it’s going to be a fun year between Ronnie’s and Clinton. We have a lot of fun with both teams, and all the other teams. All the other teams are ready to play.”
LaJoie attributes much of the team’s recent success to the leadership and play of veterans. Given the unusual circumstances of this upcoming condensed season, he thinks the older players on the team could play even a more important role.
“I think a big part of our success is having the leadership and the veterans,” LaJoie said. “We have so many veterans, and we kind of set the precedent for the team. We set the tone, and the younger guys follow our lead, and we’ve been lucky to have great players coming up behind us.”
All players, regardless of age, have been itching to leave the confines of their houses, and for Heroux, he’s not only happy to be playing the game that he loves, he is even thankful to just be outside with friends and teammates again.
“It’s always good to be back, but especially this year,” Heroux said. “After not having done much all spring, it’s really good to get out and see some people, and obviously we all love baseball.”
2019 Lunenburg Phillies - CNEBA Champs!
With title repeat, Phillies are building a dynasty
Pitchers O’Connor, Morissette played key roles for Lunenburg
By MATT STEWART | Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
Lunenburg’s Jonathan Belliard runs to first base after connecting with a pitch during Thursday night’s 5-2 win over Clinton at McLaughlin Park in Leominster. The victory gave the Phillies their second straight CNEBA title. (SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE)
LUNENBURG — It’s been quite the run for the Lunenburg Phillies.
Lunenburg repeated as Central New England Baseball Association champion late Thursday with a 5-2 victory over the Clinton 76ers, taking the best-of-five championship series 3-1.
After winning three of the last four — and four of the last six — CNEBA titles, it seems the days of Lunenburg’s championship drought, which lasted nearly 20 years, are all but forgotten. Instead, the Phillies are building a dynasty.
“We are fortunate to have a core group of guys,” second baseman Steve LaJoie said. “We have a half-dozen of us who come back every year, consistently, and the pitching has always been there. We’ve been able to consistently keep winning. I’ve been with the Phillies for over 10 years and I can’t remember a year when we weren’t contending.”
The Phillies now boast seven titles as an organization, and although the league has dwindled in numbers, the competition remains fierce.
“Obviously it’s awesome and fun to win,” shortstop Alex Heroux said. “We had a good mix and a lot of veteran guys this year, and it was great to win another for (Lunenburg manager) Joe Ruth, because he works so hard on our team and the whole league in general. He deserves it, and it was so much fun playing with this team.”
Lunenburg went 20-5-1 during the regular season, and finished 25-7-1 at the completion of the year, one of the best records in team history.
“We had gone like 30 days without a loss in the regular season,” Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. “The biggest surprise was that we were able to accomplish what we did while losing two of our best pitchers: Jeff Swedberg and Justin Watt. Going into the season, I didn’t know what was going to happen when you lose your best two guys.”
The pitching question marks seemed to be answered fairly quickly as Kevin O’Connor ascended to be the best pitcher in the CNEBA, and fellow starter Matt Morissette was a strong 1A.
“I always try to do my best for the team when I get asked upon,” Morissette said. “This is my fourth title, Joe does a great job of recruiting guys, and it’s a really competitive league.”
Things could have been different this year, because O’Connor moved to the Boston area for work and was unsure if he could still play. He was able to work the games into his schedule though, and posted a perfect 7-0 record with a 0.43 ERA this year. If fate had gone in the other direction, it would have been a major blow.
“When all you do is start games (you can commute), and I gave Kevin (O’Connor) the same opportunity I did Jeff Swedberg,” Ruth said. “He turned out to be far and away the best pitcher in the league this year.”
Morissette (4-3, 2.66 ERA) might be one of the most durable pitchers in Phillies history and has been the pitcher to close out the last three titles for the Phillies. This postseason he played reliever in the Clinton series, a strategic move because of his endurance on the mound.
“Morissette can pitch everyday, and if I needed him tonight, he could start,” Ruth said. “My thinking on Thursday was that every out that Andrew Mooney (the starter) got was a bonus, and it’s that much less Morissette had to pitch. I hope he never retires.”
Another key pitching factor during the postseason was the return of Shawn O’Donnell from injury. O’Donnell picked up a victory Game 3 of the championship series, and allowed for Morissette to serve as a reliever.
“(O’Donnell) came off the injured list and really helped us,” Ruth said. “He was very effective in Leicester, he stepped up.”
The Lunenburg offense struggled for most of the playoffs, but picked up steam during the second half of the championship series against Clinton. Outfielder Nate Ginsberg lead the team in batting average at .415 this season, while perennial power hitter Jon Belliard hit .353 with 25 RBIs and two homers.
“Belliard is in contention for MVP of the league every year,” Ruth said. “He tailed off the last couple of weeks, but every time he comes up he’s a threat.”
Heroux was hitting over .400 for most of the season, but cooled a little bit in the playoffs, settling for still-impressive .347 season average. His contributions during the regular season were significant, and he was most concerned about team success rather than personal accolades.
“I didn’t expect Heroux to be hitting near .400,” Ruth said. “You get better as you get older, and he’s a classic example of that.”
Pat Gilman did the opposite of Heroux, catching fire in the postseason and finishing with a .325 batting average this season.
“Gilman had a great last part of the season,” Ruth said. “He had a couple of home runs at Doyle the other night. Up until last night he had seven consecutive hits, with a couple of doubles and a couple of home runs.”
Leadoff hitter Cooper Bigelow scored 30 runs this season, a team high. Dave Mason will go out on top, as he announced his retirement after Thursday’s title victory, after hitting .305 with 13 RBIs this season.
Lunenburg Phillies repeat as CNEBA champions
By MATT STEWART |
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
Clinton 76ers played the Lunenburg Phillies on Thursdsay, August 8, 2019 at McLaughlin Park Field in Leominster. Phiillies Ray Serrano watches the ball before taking off to first. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/JOHN LOVE
LEOMINSTER — Sometimes a lucky bounce can change the whole trajectory of a game, and luckily for the Lunenburg Phillies, they were the beneficiary of one such lucky play. An error in left field in the fourth inning plated three runs, as the Phillies secured the Central New England Baseball Association title with a 5-2 victory over the Clinton 76ers on Thursday at Pin Cannivino Field.
Lunenburg wins the best of five series 3-1 against its rival Clinton, repeating as champions of the CNEBA after winning the title last year. It is the seventh overall title for the organization, and the fourth in the last six years for the Phillies.
“I don’t even know what to call that three-run play,” Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. “I turned my back and thought it was a wasted opportunity, then I saw the ball on the ground.
… I’m just happy we won this without having to come back here tomorrow. This was fun, and I’ve been doing this for a long time, and this keeps me going.”
Leading 2-1 in the fourth, Brennan Cuddahy singled, Connor Wironen walked and Alex Heroux singled to center to load the bases with one out. It looked grim from there though, as a fly-out marked the second out. Then Rey Serrano lifted a high and deep fly ball to left field.
The outfielder back-pedaled, hit the wall, and the ball bounced out of his glove, clearing the bases as Lunenburg took a 5-1 lead.
“We didn’t get any breaks to go our way this series,” Clinton fill-in coach Joe Latino said. “There’s a saying that it’s better to be lucky than good, that kind of played out in this series. I think we’re two evenly matched teams, and things just didn’t go our way.”
Clinton responded with a first-pitch solo shot from Jackson Emus in the bottom half of the fourth, but that is as close as the Sixers would get.
Relief pitcher Matt Morissette did the rest going 3 2/3 innings, allowing no runs, on two hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.
“Matt Morissette is a big-time pitcher,” Ruth said. “And this is the third time he’s been the last man standing in a championship.”
Clinton struck first as the home team in the bottom of the first. Two walks issued by starter Andrew Mooney put two runners on, then a passed ball moved two into scoring position with one out. Tanyon Ventres took advantage next, lofting a sacrifice fly to center field for the first run of the game.
Lunenburg had an answer a half-inning later, in the top of the second. Hard-hitting Dave Mason blasted a double to start the inning, then, after a walk, a wild pitch moved both him and Nate Ginsberg into scoring position.
A strikeout followed by a passed ball would allow Mason to cross the plate with the tying run next. Then, after another strikeout, the Clinton pitcher hit Heroux with a pitch, loading the bases.
Cooper Bigelow then showed good plate discipline, drawing a bases-loaded walk to give Lunenburg a 2-1 lead.
Scoring remained quiet until Lunenburg’s fortunate bounce in the fourth inning, and the Clinton response.
Morissette, who pitched in relief this series after spending the regular season and the first series — against Auburn, which Lunenburg won 2-1 — as a starter, found himself in a bit of a rocky situation in the bottom of the seventh with the Sixers’ backs against the wall.
After a Ventres single, Cam Ruziak singled to put two on with two outs in the seventh, bringing the tying run to the plate. Emus skied a fly ball in the infield next, appearing to be an easy play, but second baseman Bigelow and first baseman Jon Belliard collided. Bigelow regained his footing and made a thrilling, diving catch to end the game in dramatic fashion.
Lunenburg finishes its season with a 25-7-1 record.
Phillies not taking series lead for granted
Lunenburg knows there's plenty of work to be done
By NICK MALLARD | nmallard@sentinelandenterprise.com | Sentinel & Enterprise
August 7, 2019 at 9:15 am
Lunenburg Phillies’s Connor Wironen, center, makes his to home plate as he teammates wait to congratulate him on a home run during Game 3 of a CNEBA semifinal series against Auburn. Wironen also came up with a big hit in Game 3 of the championship series on Tuesday. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/JOHN LOVE
LEICESTER There was no excessive shouting. No leaping into the arms of teammates as they walked triumphantly off the diamond.
The handshakes and high-fives, the subtle celebrations told the story: for these Lunenburg Phillies, there’s still work to be done.
The Phillies secured a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five CNEBA championship series with the Clinton 76ers Tuesday night, holding on for a 5-4 victory at Rochdale Park. And while that means Lunenburg simply needs to play .500 ball over – potentially – the final two games of the year, the team and manager Joe Ruth are taking nothing for granted.
“Just because we’re up 2-1, to me that means nothing,” Ruth said following Tuesday’s victory. “We were here a couple years with a two-game lead against Ronnies (of Worcester) with two outs in the seventh and nobody on and walk, walk, three-run homer. We lose that game and went on to lose the series.
“All this means is that our backs aren’t against the wall. We’ll give it a shot and hope to win again.”
The Phillies will get their first crack at closing out the series in Game 4 Thursday evening – weather permitting – after taking Wednesday off.
“(Clinton) played five days in a row and there’s no way anyone wanted to keep playing every day,” “it’s nice to have a break tomorrow and then we’ll see what happens.”
It’s easy to say that a group that has only tasted defeat twice since July 2 should be able to pull out a victory with two cracks at it. But Ruth knows the 76ers aren’t the type of team that will go down without a fight. Down 5-3 heading into the final frame, Connor Gill crushed a 1-1 offering to lead off the seventh with a home run to pull his team within one. Fortunately for the Phillies, hurler Matt Morissette was able to buckle down and close out the win, striking out the final two batters of the contest.
“They’re a good team. You look up and down their lineup. .. Their nine hitter is good,” Ruth said. “They scare me. They’ve got a lot of good players.”
The bottom of the Phillies lineup showed it was also capable of producing in Game 3, with catcher Connor Wironen coming up with a key hit in the bottom of the sixth.With two outs and pinch runner Zach Valliere on second, Wironen hit a ball to the right side that just got past the Clinton first baseman and drove in what proved to be the winning run.
“That last run was obviously huge. Connor Wironen driving in that run with two outs ended up being huge,” Ruth said. “That was a massive situation.”
The Phillies notched just five hits on the night, but the timeliness of those knocks was more important than the quantity, Ruth noted.
“We didn’t hit the crap out of it like we did (in Game 2),” Ruth said.
Lunenburg had held a 4-1 lead through five, but Clinton rallied against Phillies starter Shawn O’Donnell, who gave up a run and put two on with one out in the frame before being lifted in favor of Matt Morissette with a 4-2 edge.
Still, Ruth was pleased with what his starting pitcher was able to provide on the hill.
O’Donnell went 5.1 innings, getting tagged for three runs on four hits while striking out five.
“Shawn O’Donnell was outstanding. He just came back two weeks ago after dealing with a forearm injury,” the longtime Phillies skipper said. “He only got in three games in the regular season, which is the minimum to be able to play in the playoffs. Having him come back was like a trade-deadline acquisition, like Houston getting Zack Greinke. Getting almost six full innings from him was huge for us.”
Also stepping up in Game 3 was Nate Ginsberg, who started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a walk and scored twice, and rightfielder Pat Gilman, who went 3-for-3 in the contest with a run scored and an RBI.
Lunenburg Phillies win, reach CNEBA finals
Ginsberg's sacrifice fly seals victory, sends Lunenburg to championship series
Sean Sweeney, Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 08/02/2019 05:33:27 PM EDT
Lunenburg Phillies third baseman Rey Serrano throws to first for the out after fielding the ball on a hop during Thursday's CNEBA playoff win over Auburn at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. See the slide show at photos.sentinelandenterprise.com. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
LUNENBURG — The Lunenburg Phillies' season will continue into next week after the home side walked off for the second time this week on visiting Auburn, as the Phils advanced to the CNEBA finals thanks to a 4-3 win over the Rockets at Marshall Park Thursday.
Lunenburg won the best-of-three series 2-1, and will now play either Clinton or Ronnie's for the title, with Game 1 yet to be scheduled.
"They're gonna give me a heart attack," longtime Phillies skipper Joe Ruth said after the win. "With our 2-3-4 hitters coming up, and with some daylight left, I figured we had another inning. But we got it done."inning. But we got it done."
Lunenburg Phillies starter Andrew Mooney delivers a pitch during Thursday's playoff win over Auburn at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
The game was tied, 3-3, after Auburn catcher Mason Mattero — a 19-year-old, 2018 graduate of Worcester North — smoked Andrew Mooney's final pitch of the ballgame to straightaway center for a three-run homer, plating Connor Fahey and Andrew Mastrototaro ahead of him in the top of the sixth.
"Three-run homer, what are you going to do?" Ruth said. "I was nervous then."
Yet as Rockets pitcher Jared Buckley entered the seventh on 117 pitches, the Phillies only had to adjust their approaches at the plate to prioritize one thing: patience. At 117 pitches, on a cool evening, your arm is hanging. The fastball doesn't have the same zip it had.
Buckley walked Steve LaJoie on four pitches to lead off the frame, before he issued a full-count walk to John Belliard.
Two pitches later, Pat Gilman loaded the bases as he tucked a fly ball just fair into the right-field corner.
After a mound visit followed pitch No. 130, Nate Ginsberg, with the infield playing in, took ball one before smoking the next one to center. While Mastrototaro caught it, that didn't matter, as LaJoie came in with the winning run.
"They thought we were going to bunt like we did (Tuesday)," Ruth said. "And I didn't have to tell Nate anything, he knows what to do. He's played independent ball for three years."
Lunenburg's Steve LaJoie swings at a pitch. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
After a 1-2-3 top of the first inning which saw Mooney struggle to find the strike zone — going to three straight full counts — the Phillies sent seven hitters to the plate, scoring a pair of runs on one hit and three Rockets errors.
And all of the damage occurred with one out: LaJoie reached on an error by the Auburn third baseman before Belliard reached on an infield hit.
Gilman walked to load the bases, before an error off the bat of Ginsberg plated Lajoie and Belliard, giving the Phillies a 2-0 cushion.
An inning later, Connor Wiremen drove Buckley's 40th pitch of the ballgame over the fence in right-center for a solo homer, giving Lunenburg a 3-0 lead.
"That saved our (butts)," Ruth said.
And with the way Mooney settled into a groove, it looked like it would be enough, as he had only given up two hits through five. Plate appearances by Auburn turned swift, only going to four pitches a handful of times. Only one of those runners, JJ Early, had reached second, and he had four strikeouts.
But with one out in the top of the sixth, Mooney yielded his third hit of the game to Mastrototaro, a single through the box, before he walked Fahey.
Then on the 2-0 hitter's count, he threw a fat one to Mattero, who launched it to straightaway center to tie the game.
That spelled the end of the night for Mooney, who gave way to Shawn O'Donnell, a Keene State senior-to-be.
O'Donnell gave up two hits, but didn't allow a runner to reach second.
To Buckley's credit, he, too, settled into a groove. After throwing 31 pitches in the first and despite giving up Wironen's round-tripper, he only allowed three baserunners from the third to the fifth, then got out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth.
Yet Lunenburg knocked on the door, and fate answered in the seventh.
Lunenburg comes up a hit short in defeat
Auburn forces pivotal Game 3 with Phillies
Sean Sweeney, Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 08/01/2019 08:10:55 AM EDT
AUBURN —A three-run third inning by host Auburn was almost too much to overcome for the Lunenburg Phillies, but by gum, they tried.
The Phillies made it interesting in the top of the seventh, getting a run home with one out, but they left the bases loaded and the go-ahead run at first as the Rockets evened up their CNEBA semifinal series at a game apiece with a 4-2 win at Auburn High School Wednesday evening.
The Auburn win sets up a winner-take-all third game at Marshall Park Thursday, with the winner advancing to the CNEBA championship round against either Ronnie's Rex or Clinton, whose game from Wednesday was postponed due to the weather.
First pitch is slated for 5:45 p.m.
"We just needed one more hit," said longtime Phillies skipper Joe Ruth, who remained upbeat despite the loss pushing Lunenburg's season to the brink. "We had the tying run at second base, and a base hit would have tied the game. That would have given us a big lift, everyone would have been fired up.
"But no big deal. We have the pitching for (Thursday), and we're at home."
Cooper Bigelow had reached first on a fielder's choice grounder to short, erasing a pinch runner for the first out, before second baseman and social media specialist Steve Lavoie cranked a double to left for his third hit of the game.
Bigelow got on his horse and circled the bases.
And while Pat Gilman (hit by pitch) and Brennan Cuddahy (full-count walk) both reached base with two outs, their pinch runners weren't able to score as a grounder to second ended the game.
Lunenburg had jumped on top, 1-0, after Bigelow, who led off the game with a triple to deep right, scored on David Mason's grounder to first.
But that would be all the Phillies managed to get into the seventh, as outside of three hits in the middle frames, Lunenburg just could not generate anything against Auburn pitcher Ben Libuda, a former Auburn High pitcher that the Atlanta Braves had selected in the 26th round in 2015 and had only played a solo season of short-season Class A ball.
And to be fair, Libuda was not necessarily overpowering, as he only had one strikeout and five walks issues.
Lunenburg was just unlucky with the bats, as they hit the ball right at Auburn fielders.
"It was a good ballgame. We didn't throw it away; we gave up an unearned run early, but they just whacked the ball," Ruth said.
The Phils also ran themselves out of the second inning.
That sparked the Rockets into action, as they pulled level with an Anthony Higbie RBI through the right side to deliver Mike Vaitkannis.
The next inning saw Auburn plate three, as Connor Fahey and Mykal Diaz sandwiched a pair of hard-hit doubles to left center around a walk to Mason Mattero, with Diaz's bringing in two runs with only one out.
And after former Leominster High southpaw Matt Morrisette fanned Vaitkannis for the second out, Erik LaCaire doubled to left, bringing Diaz in from second.
Morrisette (4 Ks, 2 walks) buckled down and got a little help in the fourth, as Mike Turco tucked in a base hit — one of Auburn's 10 hits — just inside the right field line. Phillies right fielder Pat Gilman — a Leominster High classmate of Morrisette's — slid to keep the ball playable and out of the corner.
Gilman then popped up and delivered an absolute seed to Alex Heroux at shortstop, who applied the tag on the Auburn catcher.
Auburn only threatened one more time and had runners on first and third with two out in the bottom of the fifth, but Heroux, checking the runner back to first, threw a bullet to Hunter Weissman at the plate to end the threat.
"That wasn't a good matchup for Matt," Ruth said. "There wasn't a left-handed hitter in the lineup. But he's a big-game pitcher."
Lunenburg squeezes out victory
Heroux's bunt, O'Connor's arm lift Phillies in Game 1
M. Stewart, Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/31/2019 08:05:59 AM EDT
LUNENBURG —With near-perfect pitching on both sides, those watching the Lunenburg Phillies' playoff game Tuesday evening knew that something was going to have to be done to break a scoreless stalemate.
The trickery came late but boy, did it pay off.
The top-seeded Phillies pulled off a successful squeeze in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk off with a 1-0 victory over the Auburn Rockets in the semifinals of the Central New England Baseball Association playoffs at Marshall Park.Lunenburg takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of three round, and will be back in action tonight at 5:45 in Auburn.
"It was one of (pitcher) Kevin O'Connor's best games of the season," Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. "He pitched a complete game, and threw under 80 pitches. He was very efficient, and if we had to go another inning, he was going back out there."
O'Connor saved his best outing of the year for the playoffs. The Leominster native and Phillies ace went the distance for the shutout, allowing just two hits, with no walks and six strikeouts. O'Connor yielded just two base runners the entire game, both coming in the opening three innings, as he retired the side in order for the final four, and had no more than one base runner in any inning.
"I was just trying to get ahead of hitters," O'Connor said. "I was fortunate enough to get a lot of first pitch outs. Those guys were putting the bat on the ball, and the guys were making the plays behind me."
While O'Connor was dominating the Shrewsbury bats, Auburn starter Isaac Christensen was doing the same thing. Christensen pitched a complete game of his own, allowing one run on five hits, while issuing three walks and striking out one. Two of the hits he allowed came in the decisive seventh inning.
"Christensen was unbelievable today," Auburn manager Stephen Economos said. "That was easily the best he's pitched all year and the best pitching performance our team has seen all year. You've got to give credit to him, he was mixing up his pitches and spotting it."
Lunenburg had a base runner in every single inning of the game, but could never coordinate that timely hit. But things started pretty optimistically in the bottom of the seventh.
Centerfielder Dave Mason drilled a line drive to right field to start. Brennan Cuddahy came to the plate next and wore Christensen down with a long 3-2 count that went to double-digit pitches, before recording a broken bat blooper to right field that put runners on the corners.
Lunenburg opted to send in the hot-hitting Rey Serrano off of the bench next. Unfortunately for Lunenburg, Serrano struck out, but the pinch runner at first was able to steal second with a defensive indifference on the play.
Then Alex Heroux came to the plate, hitting in the No. 9 spot with one out and pulled off the play of the game. Mason bolted from third on asuicide squeeze and Heroux, reminiscent of his high school playing days under Emile Johnson at Leominster High, laid down the perfect bunt that rolled up the first base line.
"I've done squeezes a lot," Ruth said. "The Auburn manager doesn't know me and I didn't put a sign on. I just told them. I told Dave Mason we were going to do it on the first pitch, and I also told Alex (Heroux). That was it and it was fun."
By the time Christensen fielded the Heroux bunt, Mason had already slid home, as the Phillies walked off with the victory.
"We weren't able to get much going offensively today," Heroux said. "When the opportunity came up, Joe put the call on and I got the pitch to do it, so I was just happy to be able to get that down. My old coach Emile Johnson would've been proud of that one."
The first Lunenburg offensive threat came in the third inning as Cooper Bigelow singled and then stole second with one out. But two fly outs to center stranded him at second.
A similar situation arose in the fifth as Heroux walked and Christensen threw the ball over the first baseman's head on a pickoff attempt with one out, giving Heroux second. But two ground outs to short, would end that threat. Until the seventh inning, Lunenburg hadn't made it past second base.
Title defense begins tonight
Top-seeded Phillies open series with Auburn
M. Stewart, Correspondent
UPDATED: 07/30/2019 01:30:21 PM EDT
LUNENBURG —After winning the Central New England Baseball Association title last year, the talk from the beginning of this year centered on the Lunenburg Phillies' ability and likelihood to repeat.
After claiming the regular season title this summer, the Phillies opens their CNEBA playoffs in the semifinals Tuesday.
Top-seeded Lunenburg will host the sixth-seeded Auburn Rockets Tuesday at Marshall Park with first pitch slated for 5:45 p.m. Game two of the best-of-three series will take place in Auburn on Wednesday and game three wouldbe back in Lunenburg on Thursday, if necessary.
"We've played Auburn six times, so we've seen them plenty," Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. "At this point they are dangerous and have nothing to lose. They finished in the cellar and they had to play to get in. I don't know if they used the best of their pitching the last two days, but they have nothing to lose so that makes me nervous."
Lunenburg enters as regular season champions with a 20-5-1 record, 12 points ahead of the nearest competitor in the standings and Auburn has a 9-18 record after sweeping the best-of-three with the Shrewsbury Dirt Dogs in the opening round of the CNEBA playoffs.
Lunenburg compiled a 5-1 record against Auburn this season. The lone loss came on opening day, as Auburn took the opener of a doubleheader that day by a 7-4 margin.
The most recent matchup was a 3-1 Phillies win on July 7.
The Phillies have outscored the Rockets 33-20 in games this season.Tuesday will mark the first time the teams play in a non-doubleheader, as the previous games this season were on three doubleheader days.
"We finished quite a bit ahead of everyone else in the standings," Ruth said. "But of course, now that doesn't mean anything. Everybody is kind of gunning for us and the other teams would like nothing better than to knock us off."
Kevin O'Connor, a Leominster native, is the expected starting pitcher for game one of the series on Tuesday. O'Connor enters with a perfect 5-0 record and an remarkable 0.39 ERA. Veteran pitcher Matt Morissette will likely get the nod on Wednesday, and he enters with a 3-2 record and a 2.88 ERA.
If a game three occurs, Lunenburg will have to wait and see what other pitchers had work in the first two games before making a decision on a starter.
Offensively, Lunenburg will rely on some veteran hitting to guide the team to victory. Alex Heroux has hit eighth or ninth in the lineup all season but leads the team with a .404 batting average. Switch-hitting cleanup batter Jon Belliard should be another force, entering with a .392 average, with two home runs and 23 RBI.
"Heroux is hitting over .400," Ruth said. "There is no magic formula or secret weapon coming up. The guys had a pretty good offensive year."
Catcher Connor Wironen has ascended into a leadership role on the team, entering the game with a .320 batting average.
A potential problem in the upcoming series is the departure of centerfielder Dave Mason for a trip scheduled for after Wednesday. Mason is third on the team in hitting with a .328 average and won't return until Monday, which could be the midway point of the next series, if the Phillies were to advance.
"We could be without Mason for part of the next series," Ruth said. "He's been our everyday centerfielder for a while, and defensively we can replace him. But he's come up with some really big hits all season. Hopefully we'll score enough runs, and it won't be noticeable."
Shawn O'Donnell, a talented pitcher who missed most of the regular season, will likely be ready to play in the playoffs.
"I'm hoping O'Donnell is going to be OK to come back," Ruth said. "Having him come back off of the disabled list is kind of like a late season acquisition."
The other side of the semifinals features No. 2 Ronnie's of Worcester (14-12-1) taking on No. 3 Clinton (14-12), as both teams, like Lunenburg, received byes in the first round.
Phillies win, head into playoffs
Top-seeded Lunenburg will get a first-round bye
M. Stewart, Correspondent
UPDATED: 07/26/2019 07:51:53 AM EDT
LUNENBURG — What started out as a pretty quiet game from an offensive standpoint turned into a shootout.
Luckily for Lunenburg, the Phillies boasted the better bats on the day, defeating the Shrewsbury Dirt Dogs, 10-5, Thursday evening at Marshall Park in the teams' Central New England Baseball Association regular-season finale.
Lunenburg's Parker Bigelow delivers a pitch during Thursday night's game against Shrewsbury at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
Lunenburg won the CNEBA regular-season title, finishing at 20-5-1. Postseason play begins Saturday, though Lunenburg will receive a first-round bye before taking on the winner of the Shrewsbury (12-13) and Auburn three-game series.
"It's 0-0 for everybody now," Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. "It's the start of a new season."
Lunenburg's Connor Wironen (24) and Alex Heroux celebrate after scoring on a double by Cooper Bigelow during Thursday night's win over Shrewsbury at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. See the slide show at photos.sentinelandenterprise.com. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
The bottom of the lineup proved crucial in the offensive onslaught, as the bottom three hitters were responsible for six of the team's 10 runs in the game. Rey Serrano, Connor Wironen, and Alex Heroux provided the pop at the back end of the lineup.
"We weren't tearing the cover until the end of the game," Ruth said. "It's always been about the big offensive players, but if everybody contributes like they did today, we'll be fine. We've got a good bunch of players on the team."
Cooper Bigelow (3 for 4, 2 RBIs) started the bottom of the first inning with a single, then two outs later Nate Ginsberg chipped in with a blooper to drive in the first run of the game.
The score would remain constant through the first three innings, until Lunenburg starting pitcher Parker Bigelow's departure in the fourth, when the fireworks started on both sides.
Parker Bigelow allowed only two baserunners in his outing, on a single and a walk, and recorded four strikeouts in his short stint.
Perhaps fueled by an illegal-substitution dispute that didn't go in the Dirt Dogs' favor, Shrewsbury erupted for four runs in the top of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead.
Lunenburg's Nate Ginsberg looks skyward after hitting a pop-up during Thursday's victory. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
But the outburst only seemed to wake the sleeping bear of the Lunenburg offense. With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Danny Garcia drew a walk, Serrano reached on an infield hit, and the Shrewsbury starter hit Wironen with a pitch to load the bases.
Heroux (1 for 2, 3 RBIs) then delivered a line drive to left field, which cut the deficit to 4-3. Cooper Bigelow then came to the plate and registered his third hit of the game, a two-run double on a floater to left field, which gave Lunenburg a 5-4 lead.
The explosive inning wasn't done, as Cooper Bigelow stole third, and then Steve LaJoie drove him home to make it 6-4 Phillies.
Shrewsbury got one back in the top of the fifth as Brian Iarussi Jr. connected on a sacrifice fly to center field, chopping the gap to 6-5.
But that was as close as the Dirt Dogs would get. Zach Valliere singled in the bottom half of the fifth for the Phillies, and then Serrano walked. Wironen, who has struggled of late, drilled a line-drive double to right field, plating Valliere.
Heroux then capped off the scoring in the inning with a sacrifice fly to center field, pushing the Lunenburg lead to 8-5.
Lunenburg would add two more in the bottom of the sixth for insurance, as with two outs and two on due to walks, Serrano belted a deep double to left field over the outfielder's head, which made it 10-5.
In Shrewsbury's explosive fourth inning, five players registered hits and all nine batters got a turn at the plate. Adam Twitchell, Kosta Drosidis and Thomas Cue drove in runs on RBI singles, while Dylan Fenuccio plated one on a groundout.
"We've just got to get back to the way we play," Shrewsbury manager, and Fitchburg High School alumnus, Chris Monroe said. "We were hot early in the year, and we've been up and down a little bit lately, but pitching-wise I think we're going to be all right. We just have to refocus, and come ready to play."
Ginsberg, the Phillies' closer, came in for the final two innings and retired the side in order in both. He recorded one strikeout.
Bigelow the hero in extras
M. Stewart
Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/15/2019 07:22:37 AM EDT
LUNENBURG — Lunenburg Phillies leadoff hitter Cooper Bigelow was having a rough day heading into the bottom of the 10th inning, having gone 0 for 4 in his previous at-bats.
But none of that mattered in the end, as Bigelow delivered a crucial RBI single in extras, allowing the Phillies to walk-off with a 3-2 victory over Ronnie's of Worcester in a Central New England Baseball Association pitchers' duel on Sunday afternoon at Marshall Park.
Lunenburg improves to 16-5-1 with 33 points, and sits firmly in first place in the league standings. It has eight games remaining on the regular season, and the team is closing in on a potential regular-season title. Ronnie's remains in third place, falling to 11-9-1.
"They were thinking that I was thinking about doing a suicide squeeze," Lunenburg Phillies manager Joe Ruth said. "But with nobody out I thought I wasn't going to do that. I figured let's give Cooper (Bigelow) a chance, because he hits a lot of fly balls, and it worked out."
In the bottom of the 10th, Rey Serrano broke a slump of his own, as after going 0 for 3 with a lineout and two flyouts, he doubled to left-center field to get things going. This brought Bigelow to the plate, who had three flyouts and a strikeout on his day entering the at-bat.
Early in the count, Serrano was able to take third on a passed ball, putting the winning run just 90 feet away with nobody out. Later in the at-bat, Bigelow chipped a slow-rolling bouncer that two infielders converged on. The ball was able to squeak through to shallow right field, just evading the back-handed outstretched glove of the first baseman, which gave Serrano plenty of time to score the winning run.
"(Bigelow) got a little squirmy thing," Ruth said. "Ronnie's probably should've made a play on it. I had Rey Serrano holding because I wanted to make sure it got through, because I didn't want to waste a good opportunity. A win's a win, I'll take it any way I can get it."
The contest between the two longtime CNEBA rivals lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, but should have been over much sooner as Lunenburg held a 2-0 lead heading into the top of the seventh — which is typically the final inning of a CNEBA game.
Lunenburg starting pitcher Kevin O'Connor was in complete control until the seventh inning, as he finished the game allowing two runs on six hits, with 13 strikeouts, and three walks.
The trouble for O'Connor started early in the seventh after eclipsing the 100-pitch milestone. Dan Carew started the seventh for Ronnie's by drawing a walk. Ryan Belinskas then singled to left to put two on, before both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball.
O'Connor regrouped, striking out the next two batter swinging, and looked like he was going to secure the victory. But leadoff hitter Pat Grow hit a flare to right field, scoring both runners and tying the game at 2-2. Lunenburg threw out Grow attempting to stretch his single into a double, and that marked the end of the day for O'Connor, and the end of the inning.
Connor Palma pitched in relief for the Phillies, going three strong innings, allowing no runs with no hits, while striking out three, walking two, and hitting one batter. Palma picked up the win, only his second of the year, to go along with his two previous saves.
Ronnie's starter Steve Roche was as effective as the Lunenburg pitchers. Roche went eight innings, allowing two runs on six hits, with five strikeouts two walks, and a hit-batsman.
"Any time you get a pitching effort like that on both sides, it's a pleasure to be involved," Ronnie's manager Mike Nosel said. "Our guys hung in there, scored a couple, and took advantage of a couple of mistakes. It's a shame anyone had to lose this one. It sounds like a cliché, but it's true."
Lunenburg got things started in the bottom of the first inning. Jon Belliard reached on an error, then Roche hit Pat Gilman with a pitch to put two on with two outs. Dave Mason then delivered some two-out magic when he connected on a base hit to right field, which put Lunenburg up 1-0.
Lunenburg got a little scrappy in the fourth. Connor Wironen got things going with a one-out double, then an error put two on the corners. Later, with two outs, Wironen was able to successfully steal home on a double-steal attempt. Ronnie's caught Alex Heroux trying to steal second, but it lifted the score to 2-0 in the Phillies' favor in the process.
Phillies power past Shrewsbury
Sentinel & Enterprise Staff
UPDATED: 07/11/2019 07:26:30 AM EDT
The Lunenburg Phillies rolled to a road win Wednesday night, topping the Shrewsbury Dirt Dogs, 6-2.
Matt Morissette earned the win, going 6 innings and allowing a pair of earned runs on 4 hits. Parker Bigelow pitched the final inning for the Phillies (15-5-1).
Lunenburg took advantage of a 5-run third inning, as Jon Belliard and David Mason each drove in a pair and Brennan Cuddahy added an RBI single.
Alex Heroux drove in a run in the fifth and Steve LaJoie added a pair of hits in the victory.
The Phillies return to action Friday night, welcoming the Littleton Mariners to Marshall Park.
Phillies sweep twinbill
Sentinel & Enterprise Staff
UPDATED: 07/08/2019 09:35:35 AM EDT
LUNENBURG — It was a great day for the Lunenburg Phillies, who won both ends of Saturday's Central New England Baseball Association doubleheader over Auburn at Marshall Park.
Kevin O'Connor pitched a gem in the early contest, allowing four hits and striking out eight to earn the win in a 7-0 victory. The Phillies (14-5-1) used a five-run second inning to pull away and were never threatened from there.
Heavy-hitting Brennan Cuddahy singled, doubled and drove in three runs to help pace the offense, while Alex Heroux went 3 for 3 in the contest.
Connor Palma got the win in the nightcap, allowing four hits and striking out three in five innings on the mound.
Heroux again had a big game, notching a pair of hits and scoring twice. Jonathan Belliard also drove in one run.
Lunenburg, sitting in first place in the CNEBA standings, will next travel to face Shrewsbury on Wednesday.
Phillies settle for tie with Ronnie's
M. Stewart
Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/27/2019 09:38:45 AM EDT
Lunenburg Phillies pitcher Parker Bigelow delivers a pitch during Wednesday's game against Ronnie's of Worcester. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
LUNENBURG
With lights-out pitching on both sides, it was going to be a shame for whatever team came out on the losing end. Luckily for the Lunenburg Phillies and Ronnie's of Worcester, neither team would lose Wednesday evening, as the solid pitching led to 1-1 draw after nine innings of Central New England Baseball Association action at Marshall Park.
A tie is worth 1 point and a win is worth 2 in the CNEBA standings, and with the tie Lunenburg remains in first place overall in the league standings with a 9-4-1 record and 19 points.
Ronnie's improves to 4-7-1 and still sits in second-to-last place.
Lunenburg Phillies' infielder Alex Heroux picks up the a ground ball and fires to second for the out from his knee during Wednesday's game. (John Love / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
"You throw strikes, you get outs," Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. "Nate Ginsberg is legit and this was the first time I really saw Parker Bigelow and he let up a run in the first inning, but there were a whole bunch of zeros up there after that.
"They did well we just didn't generate enough offense. We've been scoring a ton of runs lately so this is a little uncharacteristic of our offense."
It seemed from the start that it would be an offensive explosion, at least for Ronnie's. In the top of the first inning Bigelow hit Alex Borsari with a pitch to start the game and then Dan Carew singled to right field to put runners on the corners.
After a strikeout swinging, Mike Fogarty grounded out to the third baseman but drove in a run in the process to make it 1-0. Bigelow buckled down from there, inducing a ground out to first, and then it would be all goose eggs for the next eight innings.
Bigelow went four strong innings in his second outing of the year, allowing one run on two hits, with two strikeouts, two walks and a hit batsman.
Ginsberg, the Phillies' reliever, was just as effective, coming into the game in the fifth inning and posting five straight scoreless innings to preserve the tie. Ginsburg allowed two hits, one walk, one hit batsman, while striking out two.
For the excellence associated with the Phillies defense, the Lunenburg bats could not penetrate Ronnie's starter T.J. Masella. Masella went eight nearly flawless innings allowing one unearned run on five hits, while walking one and striking out seven.
"Masella pitched fantastic," Ronnie's of Worcester manager Mike Nosel said. "That was definitely his best effort of the summer. He worked himself out of a few jams, got ahead on the hitters, and got into a nice rhythm. It would've been nice if we could've gotten him a little bit more support, but he pitched outstanding."
Lunenburg stranded two base runners in scoring position through the first three innings, leaving five for the entire game. The best inning ended up being the most crucial, as in the fourth a lucky break resulted in a critical run.
The bottom of the fourth inning started promising as Jon Belliard singled to center to start, then Pat Gilman singled to right field to put two on. After a flyout to left field, Steve LaJoie reached on an infield hit to load the bases with one out.
A play at the plate would mark the second out next, and then it seemed that Lunenburg would come up empty on the threat. Alex Heroux hit a wobbly chopper to third, that appeared it would be easily fielded and a bag tap to end the inning, but the third baseman booted the ball off his glove, which allowed the tying run to score and everyone to reach safely.
Masella would end the threat there, with the bases still loaded, when he struck out a pinchhitter.
"We were lucky to score that run," Ruth said. "I would've hated to lose this game having this type of pitching performance. It was a cheap way to get a run, but they all count. We didn't do much with the chances we had. The big hitters in the lineup weren't doing any of that."
Pitching carries Phillies to sweep
Lunenburg doubles up against Auburn
M. Stewart
Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/25/2019 08:08:29 AM EDT
Pat Gilman of the Lunenburg Phillies takes a rip at a pitch during a recent CNEBA ballgame. (John Love / Sentinel & Enterprise)
AUBURN — The Auburn Rockets might not look like the greatest team on paper, but the Lunenburg Phillies knew they were in for a tough battle, and a somewhat important doubleheader to set the tone for a brutal upcoming week.
The Phillies were up to the challenge, and behind some quality pitching secured a 4-1 victory in the first game, and then downed the Rockets again in the night cap by an 8-5 margin Sunday at Auburn High School in Central New England Baseball Association action.
"We got some great pitching," Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. "Even when we gave up a couple of runs it was a couple of cheap hits here and there. We played well defensively, it was just a good day and had a couple of good ball-games. They don't have a great record but they're a pretty good team. They're legit."
In the opening game ace Kevin O'Connor pitched a complete game, allowing one run on seven hits, with six strikeouts and no walks.
Jon Belliard broke open the scoring in the first inning, connecting on a 2-out RBI single to drive in Cooper Bigelow. Bigelow would score on a passed ball in the third, before Belliard connected on an RBI double this time in the fifth. Doug Hartshorn went 2 for 2 In the opening game, and concluded the scoring in the seventh with an RBI single.
Lunenburg jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second game with an RBI single from Belliard and an RBI ground out from Steve LaJoie. Then in the bottom of the fourth Auburn's Mason Matero, who had six hits in a row from the first to second game, jacked a 2-run blast to left centerfield, which tied the game.
The Phillies answered in the fifth when Rey Serrano reached on an error to start then Bigelow drove him in on an RBI double to left field. Shortly after Bigelow would score on a passed ball to make it 4-2.
Auburn would get one back when a runner scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
Lunenburg (8-4) put the game away in the sixth. Every player got the chance to bat, starting with Pat Gilman who reached on a strikeout and stole second to start .After a walk put two on, Alex Heroux reached on an infield hit, then an error on the play would allow Gilman to come sliding home, to make it 5-3.
Serrano then laid a sacrifice bunt to move two into scoring position, before Connor Wironen got trapped in a run-down for the second out of the inning. The Auburn starter hit Bigelow with a pitch to load the bases next, and then LaJoie reached on an infield hit off of the pitcher's leg to up the lead to 6-3.
The big at-bat would come next, as Kevin Marciano hit a bomb in the gap in right-centerfield, which dropped over the outfielders' heads, and landed Marciano with a double, and extended the lead to 8-3. But that would conclude Lunenburg's scoring on the day, as a ground out ended the inning and the Phillies went 1-2-3 in the seventh.
Auburn (3-9) pushed for a comeback bid in the bottom half of the sixth. Four hits in a row looked like some serious danger, as Andrew Mastrototaro drove in a run on a blooper to shallow right field, and Osmani Torres jacked a hard-to-track ball to deep right field, which cut the deficit to 8-5. But Lunenburg reliever Hartshorn would re-group, and get the next five outs in a row to end the game, including retiring the side in order in the seventh.
"We kept plating a couple each inning," Auburn manager Stephen Economos said. "We just never got those couple that put us in the lead. I keep telling the guys that we've been playing great baseball as of late. We're struggling with our record but we're losing 2-run, 3-run, games."
Lunenburg game 2 starter Andrew Mooney shined going five innings allowing three runs on five hits, with two strikeouts and two walks.
Early defecit too much for Phillies
M. Stewart
Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/20/2019 07:42:47 AM EDT
LUNENBURG —It doesn't matter what level of baseball it is; walks and hit batsmen are only going to lead to bad results.
That's exactly what happened to the Lunenburg Phillies on Wednesday evening, as some early control issue led to an insurmountable hole.
Lunenburg Phillies' Cooper Bigelow slides into second safely as Ronnie's of Worcester player Alex Borsari waits for the throw during Wednesday evening's game. (John Love / Sentinel & Enterprise)
Despite a late comeback bid led by slugger Jon Belliard, the Phillies dropped their Central New England Baseball Association contest against Ronnie's of Worcester by an 8-4 margin at Marshall Park.
"In a seven inning game, you can't be down 5-0 before you even get the chance to get going," Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth said. "We played them even for the rest of the time. The other guys pitched well, but it's tough with the walks and wild pitches."
Lunenburg Phillies picther Rodrigo Encarnacion delivers a pitch during the first inning of Wednesday's game against Ronnie's of Worcester. (John Love / Sentinel & Enterprise)
Starter Rodrigo Encarnación showed progress in his last outing, but reverted back to old control troubles on the bump in this contest. Encarnación got out of the first inning unscathed, despite giving up a walk and two hit batsmen, but in the second inning things unravelled.
Two four-pitch walks with a strikeout in between started the top of the second for Ronnie's (3-6), before a hit batter loaded the bases. Ryan Bowen opened the scoring when he scored on a wild pitch.After another hit batter, John Gill drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-0. Another wild pitch scored a runner from third and Nick Yanco drilled a two-run hit to right to end Encarnación's day at 5-0.
In the fourth, Gill drilled a first-pitch solo shot over the fence and four batters later, Bowen drove in a run on an infield hit.
The visitor's capped off their scoring in the fifth when Gill grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, but drove in a run in the process, to up the lead to 8-0.
The Lunenburg (6-4) offense was stagnant through the first five innings only mustering two hits off of Ronnie's starter T.J. Masella (6 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K), "Masella got off to a rocky start in the first and got out of a jam," Ronnie'smanager Mike Nosel said. "That inning he threw as opposed to pitch. The second inning was when he started pitching, keeping the ball down, mixing it up, and hitting his spots which makes a big difference."
The Phillies' silent offense seemed to get a boost of energy when Lunenburg reliever Nate Ginsberg took over the bump on the defensive side.
Substitute hitter Justin Robbins drew a walk to start the sixth inning. Then Belliard broke the seal, cranking his first homer of the season over the fence in dead-away center field. Belliard flipped his bat half way down the first base line in both celebration and relief to get feat accomplished.
"Belliard is always a threat every time he is up," Ruth said. "He hits balls hard, and he's hitting .500. A lot of those balls have been scalded, but he only cares about the home runs. I'll take nine of him any day."
After back-to-back outs, Steve LaJoie singled to right field next to keep the inning alive. Then Ginsberg helped his own cause, drilling a deep triple to the wall in right field, which cut the deficit to 8-3.
Cooper Bigelow stretched his hit to right field into a double in the bottom of the seventh inning and then took third on a passed ball. A walk to Connor Wironen put runners on the corners for Belliard, who grounded out to second but plated Bigelow in the process. But that was as close as Lunenburg would get, as a popoutto third ended the game.
Lunenburg Phillies' David Mason tracks the ball after making contact during Wednesday's game. (John Love / Sentinel & Enterprise)
Title defense underway
Phillies off to great start and poised to get better
M. Stewart
Correspondent, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise Staff
UPDATED: 06/18/2019 08:39:58 AM EDT
LUNENBURG —The defending Central New England Baseball Association champion Lunenburg Phillies knew it had to perform well to start the season in order to position itself for later in the season. So far the Phillies are on the right path, with a strong start, despite coming into the year a little rushed and on the rusty side.
Lunenburg Phillies' Jon Belliard has hit .538 for the team this season. (Jeff Porter / Sentinel & Enterprise)
Lunenburg finds itself in second place with a 6-3 record, tied for league leader Shrewsbury (6-2) in the win column. It is one game ahead of rival Clinton, which sits at 5-4.
Many of the players on the Lunenburg roster have graduated from college, so they did not have the benefit of playing a full spring season. With this, especially from the bump, Ruth says players need to be eased back into playing a full schedule, in order to prevent injury.
Lunenburg Phillies' Steve LaJoie fields the ball during a game against Rochdale last season. (Jeff Porter / Sentinel & Enterprise)
Ruth has been using a lot of partial outings from its pitching rotation for just this reason, and benefited from a rain date last Thursday, which helped give some well-needed rest on a front-loaded schedule.
"We were supposed to have five games in six days, and I don't think I have the pitching to do that," Ruth said. "The strategic rain out on Thursday helped us. I have to bring our pitchers along slowly, you don't throw a bullpen session and go out and throw seven innings, you'll get hurt."
So far five pitchers have recorded victories on the season, with Kevin O'Connor boasting a 2-0 record with a perfect 0.00 ERA. Nathan Ginsberg has a 1-0 record with a save and an 8.40 ERA, and Matt Morissette is a 1-0 with a 4.67 ERA of note.
Pitching was a big question mark early with the departure of longtime ace Jeff Swedberg and two late scratches from the roster. But help is on the way.
"Shawn O'Donnell came out of a game after one inning with an injury, but he may be back," Ruth said. "But Matt Russell is coming back to join us later, and we picked up a Fitchburg State kid named Andrew Mooney who pitched a couple of innings down in Worcester on Sunday.
Offensively Jon Belliard is continuing the success he's had since his arrival, hitting .538 with 14 hits and 9 RBI, after playing in all nine games. The team's leader in batting average is Kevin Marciano at .700, but he has only played four games, due to a back injury.
Ginsberg, in addition to playing a reliever role out of the bullpen for the Phillies, has been steadfast in left field, and is hitting .455 with 2 RBI.
"Ginsberg is hitting really well," Ruth said. "He's also a really good pitcher but I haven't used him too much because he's been too valuable at the plate. He's a former professional player."
A big question mark coming into the season, was who would fill the gap left by catcher Frank Yavorosky and so far St. Bernard's product and Assumption College current catcher Connor Wironen is doing a superb job.
Wironen is hitting .429 with 4 RBI in the eight games he has taken part in.
"Wironen is a second-year kid and played half the games at Assumption as a freshman," Ruth said. "Last year he was the backup catcher for us, but Connor is the No. 1 guy and is playing well offensively and defensively. He's really improved a lot and we're happy to have him."
Another offensive surprise has been Rey Serrano, a first-year player that is batting .400 with a homer and two RBI.
"Serrano registered this winter for the team and is out of the Lowell area," Ruth said. "He's playing a lot for a first-year guy, and hit a bomb early this season. He's surprised me."
After a break-neck pace of games to start the season, there is a little bit of a lull this week for Lunenburg, only having to take on Ronnie's of Worcester on Wednesday.
The pace will pick up again next week with six games in seven days, including a double header on Sunday and a Monday tilt with league-leading Shrewsbury at home, and the Brooklyn Bonnies from New York on Saturday.
Phillies split on Opening Day
Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise Staff
UPDATED: 06/03/2019 10:23:33 AM EDT
The Lunenburg Phillies opened the 2019 CNEBA season Sunday by splitting with the Auburn Rockets, falling 7-4 in the opener before rallying for a 7-6 win in the second game at Marshall Park.
The Phillies (1-1) trailed throughout the first game and could never quite rally despite a solid showing at the plate by Jonathan Belliard, who had a single and a double.
But Lunenburg showed its resiliency in the second game, scoring three times in the seventh to erase a two-run defecit. After Cooper Bigelow walked to start the frame, Nate Ginsburg doubled to put two runners in scoring position and Auburn elected to intentionally walk Belliard.
Pat Gilman followed with an RBI single and Dave Mason's grounder to second was thrown away as Auburn's shortstop attempted to turn a double play, allowing two runs to score and the Phillies were able to walk off with the win.
Lunenburg returns to action Wednesday, welcoming Shrewsbury to Marshall Park.
Morissette pitches Phillies to league title
By Bill Gilman, Correspondent
UPDATED: 08/06/2018 09:09:45 AM EDT
LUNENBURG -- Matt Morissette tossed a complete-game three-hitter, as the Lunenburg Phillies topped the Clinton 76ers, 3-1, to win their CNEBA championship series, three games to two, Sunday evening at Marshall Park.
It's the Phillies' third title in the past six seasons and sixth in franchise history.
"(Matt) pitched great. He's a gamer," said Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth. "I'm happy for him. I had Nate (Ginsburg) warmed up and if Clinton got a couple of baserunners in the 7th I would have brought him in, but I was glad Matt was able to finish the game."
Morissette was brilliant, retiring the first 10 batters he faced, before getting touched up for two hits and a run in the 4th inning. He allowed just one other hit (in the 6th), didn't walk a batter and closed out the game with his seventh strikeout.
The 27-year-old southpaw, whose only other start of the post-season ended after two innings and five runs allowed in Game 2 of the semifinals against Ronnie's, said he got a solid scouting report on how to pitch against the Sixers from watching Kevin O'Connor's complete game win (4-3) in Game 4.
"It was pretty good watching O.C. the other day. He was phenomenal. I couldn't ask for a better game to watch than to watch O.C. throw. And then to come here today and do this, it was awesome," said Morissette. "They've got great guys in that (Clinton) lineup that can hit the ball.
It was great to keep them off balance with the off-speed stuff, then working away with the fastball."
Second baseman Ryan Lever continued his post-season power surge with a solo home run to spark the Lunenburg offense. It was his third homer of the playoffs, after just one during the regular season.
But before Lever showed off his power, he showed off his speed. After drawing a one-out walk from Clinton starter Joe Latino, Lever scored all the way from first on a double by Jon Belliard (2-for-3, RBI, run).
Lever's homer in the bottom of the third put the Phillies up 2-0 before Clinton was finally able to break through against Morissette in the top of the 4th.
Clinging to a 2-1 lead, Lunenburg got Morissette an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th. Belliard led off with a single and was lifted for pinch-runner Drew Curran. Two batters later, Pat Gilman (2-for-3) roped a double to the gap in left-center, scoring Curran.
Morissette finished off the Sixers in style, with a 1-2-3 7th. It was the third time Morissette closed out a win for the Phillies in the playoffs. He worked two perfect innings of relief in Game 3 against Ronnie's and two more perfect innings to close out the Game 1 win vs. Clinton.
"Joe likes me coming out of the bullpen, so I just do whatever he asks me to do. He's a good coach and does things the right way," said Morissette.
Staying alive: Lunenburg Phillies need one more win
By Bill Gilman, Correspondent
UPDATED: 08/04/2018 08:29:28 PM EDT
CLINTON -- "Survival" was the word of the day and the Lunenburg Phillies had just enough survival skills to stay alive.
The Phillies jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning and held on to defeat the Clinton 76ers, 4-3, Saturday afternoon at the Clinton High Athletics Complex.
With the win, Lunenburg evened its best-of-five CNEBA Championship series at two games apiece. The fifth and deciding game is scheduled to be played today (Sunday) at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m."One more day, one more game," said Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth. "We did just enough. We're now 5-5 against Clinton this season. So something has to give."
O'Connor went the distance to earn the win. He retired the first eight batters he faced and carried a one-hitter into the sixth inning. Trailing 4-0, the 76ers touched up O'Connor for three runs in the sixth to pull to within a run. But the Leominster native struck out Tanyen Ventres with the tying run in scoring position, then struck out the side in the seventh to close out the game.
Lunenburg closer Matt Morissette was warmed up and ready to pitch the seventh, but Ruth said he made the decision to stick with O'Connor with Game 5 on his mind.
"I would have hated to lose with Morissette still on the bench, but I don't know who I'm going to have ready for (Game 5) and I wanted him to be available, and he is."
O'Connor finished with a three-hitter. He struck out eight and walked two.
Watt's gem goes to waste
By Bill Gilman, Correspondent
UPDATED: 08/01/2018 09:56:58 PM EDT
LEOMINSTER -- Tanyon Ventres outdueled Justin Watt, as the Clinton 76ers moved to within one game of the CNEBA championship with a 2-1 win over the Lunenburg Phillies on Wednesday night at Pin Cannavino Field at McLaughlin Park.
The 76ers lead the best-of-five series two games to one, and will look to close out the Phillies on Thursday in Game 4.
Ventres, a Becker College lefty, scattered five hits and struck out four. He was aided by some spectacular defensive work by second baseman Matt Bertochi, who made highlight-reel plays to rob three different Phillies of hits.
The Lunenburg offense has been in a funk throughout the series, managing just five runs and 14 hits through the first three games.
"They're a good team and they have good pitchers. And I got outsmarted. There was one inning when I was playing checkers and I should have been playing chess," said Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth, declining to go into anymore detail.
Watt (3-1, 0.97 ERA), who has been nursing a nagging neck injury, suffered his first loss of the season (3-1) despite allowing just one earned run on four hits, along with five strikeouts.
"We just completely wasted a great effort from Justin," said Ruth. "He wasn't sure he was even going to be able to pitch. During warmups, he said his neck was still a little sore. But he went out there and did a great job."
Clinton drew first blood in the top of the second.
Noah Milliard stroked a two-out single to right, then came all the way around to score when Ventres sliced a double down the right-field line. The relay throw from second baseman Ryan Lever nearly nailed Milliard at the plate, but a heard-first slide allowed the runner to sneak his hand in just before the tag from catcher Frank Yavorosky.
After that, Watt settled into a groove, retiring the next 10 batters he faced.
Lunenburg stranded two runners in the first, third and fourth innings, before finally breaking through against Ventres in the fifth. Sean Maki drew a leadoff walk, stole second and went to third on a sharp single by Lever.
Jon Belliard followed with a blistering RBI single to right, scoring Maki to tie the game. Ventres looked to be on the ropes with two on and nobody out and the heart of the Phillies' lineup coming up.
But the young southpaw managed to work his way out of the jam. He got cleanup hitter Brennan Cuddahy to ground into a fielder's choice before striking out Pat Gilman for the second out. Then, with Yavorosky at the plate and runners at the corners, pinch-runner Drew Curran broke for second in a play that called for him to get caught in a rundown, allowing Lever to score. But Curran was tagged out before Lever had a chance to reach the plate.
Having escaped further damage, Clinton quickly reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth. AJ Papandrea reached on a throwing error by shortstop Alex Heroux and was bunted to second by Kenan Kolanda. Two batters later Conor Gill bounced a single into left, scoring Papandrea with what would be the game-winning run.
Cuddahy, Yavorosky and Dave Mason had the other hits for Lunenburg.
The first pitch for Thursday's Game 4 at Pin Cannavino Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Kevin O'Connor (3-0, 1.78 ERA) will get the ball for Lunenburg.
Phillies capture Game 1
By Bill Gilman, Correspondent
UPDATED: 07/30/2018 01:18:36 PM EDT
LUNENBURG -- Ryan Lever cracked a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Lunenburg Phillies a thrilling 3-2 win over the Clinton 76ers in Game 1 of their best-of-five Central New England Baseball Association championship series.
Lunenburg (22-10) trailed 2-0 throughout much of the game, until Brennan Cuddahy (2-for-3) ripped a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth to tie the contest. Pinch-hitter Joe Balboni had the only other hit for the Phillies.
Doug Hartshorn got the start on the hill for Lunenburg and went the first six innings. Hartshorn struggled with his control early, walking four batters in the first inning, leading to both Clinton runs.
But he settled into a groove and kept the game close. He gave up seven hits, while walking five and striking out seven.
Matt Morissette, as he had Sunday in the semifinal clinching win over Ronnie's, came on in relief and worked two shutout innings to earn the win.
He allowed two hits and struck out three during his stint on the mound.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at the Clinton High athletics complex.
Lunenburg Phillies lock up a spot in title series
By Bill Gilman, Correspondent
UPDATED: 07/29/2018 07:02:20 AM EDT
Lunenburg Phillies first baseman Brennan Cuddahy applies the tag a moment too late as the Ronnie's baserunner retreats safely on a pick-off attempt during Game 3 of the CNEBA semifinals on Friday at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. With Ronnie's leading 2-0 in the fourth inning, Friday's contest was called off due to lightning, and the teams restarted the game from scratch on Saturday. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / SCOTT LAPRADE
LUNENBURG -- Jon Belliard and Brennan Cuddahy crushed back-to-back homers in the bottom of the sixth inning, lifting the Lunenburg Phillies past Ronnie's Recs, 10-6, clinching their CNEBA semifinal series, two games to one.
The Phillies, looking for their second league title in three years, advance to the best-of-five championship series against the Clinton 76ers. Game 1 will be played Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. Game 2 is set for 6 p.m., Monday, in Clinton.
"They certainly didn't quit. They're just having fun out there," said Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth. "I mean, I can't influence much anymore. I just fill out the lineup card. But they didn't quit."
Lunenburg carried a 4-1 lead through five innings, behind the pitching of Jeff Swedberg. The veteran right-hander was cruising along, when the wheels suddenly came off with two outs in the top of the sixth. After an RBI single by Matt DiTullio cut the lead to 4-2, Swedberg gave up a double to Pat Grow, a three-run homer to Nick Yanco and a solo homer to Chris Catlin on three consecutive pitches. Suddenly, the 4-1 lead had turned into a 6-4 deficit.
Ruth said he had no second thoughts about leaving Swedberg in the game when he started to tire.
"After that first home run, we were only down a run and we had the guys coming up (in the home half) that I wanted coming up," said Ruth. "So I didn't lose any sleep over it."
And Lunenburg (21-10) wasn't about to let Ronnie's steal the game and the series.
The Phillies exploded for six runs of their own in the home half of the inning. Dave Mason drew a leadoff walk from Ronnie's starter Charlie Rumsland and Alex Heroux reached on an error to start the rally. Sean Maki greeted reliever TJ Masella with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-5. Masella then hit Ryan Lever with a pitch to load the bases for Belliard.
Belliard, a switch-hitting third baseman, batting left-handed against Masella, got every bit of a 1-2 fastball and drove it over the center-field fence for a grand slam, putting Lunenburg back on top, 9-6. Cuddahy followed with a towering homer to right to add an insurance run.
That was more than enough support for Matt Morissette, who came on in relief of Swedberg in the sixth and retired all four batters he faced -- striking out two -- to earn the win. It was a strong bounce-back performance from Morissette, who was shelled in his Game 2 start, giving up five runs in two innings.
"Matt's a competitor, a fighter," said Ruth. "We know he's a much better pitcher than he showed the other night."
The game got off to an inauspicious start for the Phillies, as Ronnie's Andy Fallon led off the contest with a home run that just barely cleared the fence down the right field line.
Lunenburg took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third. Derek Guimond reached on a throwing error by Rumsland and later scored on an RBI single by Belliard (2 for 4, 5 RBIs). A sacrifice fly by Cuddahy drove in Ryan Lever to put the Phillies on top, 2-1.
Lunenburg extended its lead in the fourth. Pat Gilman (2 for 3) led off with a single to left and moved up on a walk to Mason. After both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Heroux, Gilman scored on a wild pitch and Mason came home on an RBI single by pinch-hitter Joe Balboni to make it 4-1.
Lunenburg Phillies' rally falls just short in Game 2
By Bill Gilman, Correspondent
UPDATED: 07/26/2018 10:47:56 AM EDT
WORCESTER -- Sometimes the hole is just a little too deep.
The Lunenburg Phillies battled back from a 7-0 deficit but couldn't complete the comeback, falling to Ronnie's Recs, 7-6, on Wednesday night at Quinsigamond Community College.
The win by Ronnie's evens the best-of-three CNEBA semifinal series at one game apiece. The deciding game is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at Marshall Park in Lunenburg."In a seven-inning game, a seven-run deficit is tough to come back from," said Phillies manager Joe Ruth. "We just needed one more hit. We had some chances. We had two runners on in that last inning, had a guy on third before that. We just couldn't get the hit."
Lunenburg scored all its runs in the top of the fourth inning. Doubles by Jon Belliard and Nathan Ginsberg off Ronnie's starter Ryan Bowen got the Phillies on the board. A single to left by Frank Yavorosky put runners on the corners and veteran right fielder Pat Gilman followed with a towering three-run home run to dead center, cutting the deficit to 7-4.
But Lunenburg's rally wasn't done. Walks to Dave Mason and Sean Maki (2 for 4) put the Phillies in business again with two outs. A bloop single by Ryan Lever drove in the fifth run of the inning, and Maki scored when Belliard reached on an error to make it 7-6.
Lunenburg threatened again in the fifth, on a two-out single by Gilman (2 for 2, walk, hit-by-pitch, 3 RBIs) and a walk to Mason (3 walks). But reliever TJ Masella got Alex Heroux to fly deep to right to end the inning.
Watt, Lever carry Phils
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/25/2018 07:02:16 AM EDT
Lunenburg right-hander Justin Watt took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/SCOTT LAPRADE
LUNENBURG -- Justin Watt took a no-hitter into the final inning before allowing an infield single as the Lunenburg Phillies defeated Ronnie's, 6-0, in Game 1 of their Central New England Baseball Association semifinal playoff game at Marshall Park on Tuesday.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. The series is best-of-3.
Watt, a big right-hander who starred for Groton-Dunstable High School, struck out six. The only baserunner through the first 6.1 innings came on an error in the first.
Ryan Lever provided all the offense Watt would need when he belted a grand slam home run in the third inning.
In the fourth inning, both Sean Maki and Jon Belliard recorded RBI singles for the Phillies to provide insurance runs.
Ryan Lever (right) crosses home plate after hitting a grand slam in the third inning of the Phillies' Game 1 win Tuesday night. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/Scott LaPrade
Semi-Finals Set to open Tuesday, July 24th • Sun Jul 22
The Final Four are set after Ronnies defeated Auburn on Sunday 2-1. Ronnies travels to Lunenburg and Shrewsbury travels to Clinton on Tuesday for 6pm starts. Games 2 will be played at Quinsigamond CC and in Shrewsbury. Games 3, if needed, will be back in Lunenburg and Shrewsbury.
Once the Semi-Finals are over, a best-of-5 series will begin for the survivors.
Phillies win finale, secure 1st place
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/19/2018 06:38:13 AM EDT
No need to worry about limping into the playoffs.
With a 6-4 win over Ronnie's Wednesday evening at Quinsigamond Community College, the Lunenburg Phillies secured first place in CNEBA play and a first-round bye in the postseason.
Lunenburg, which suffered through a four-game skid last week, finishes the regular season 20-10 and won't play again until next week.
Shawn O'Donnell earned the win for the Phillies on the road and Ryan Britton pitched the final two to earn a save.
Brennan Cuddahy had a huge day at the dish, going 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI and Nathan Ginsberg's RBI double in the seventh added an insurance run in a 5-4 contest.
Lunenburg scored four runs in the fifth in strange fashion, twice plating runs on walks with the bases loaded and adding two more on hit batsmen with the bags full.
Ginsberg, Morissette power Phillies to victory
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/17/2018 03:16:55 PM EDT
Lunenburg s Sean Maki rips a single during Monday s game against the Clinton 76ers. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / GARY FOURNIER
For the third straight game, outstanding pitching and timely hitting lifted the Lunenburg Phillies to victory.
CNEBA
The latest was a 1-0 win over the Clinton 76ers at Marshall Park on Monday that saw the pitchers from both teams toss gems.
Matt Morissette threw six innings of one-hit ball to earn the win, striking out five before giving way to Nathan Ginsberg, who struck out the side in the seventh to pick up the save for Lunenburg (19-10).
Ginsberg, playing left field prior to getting on the hill, blasted a home run in the sixth inning to provide the only offense in the contest.
Clinton's Connor Gill held Lunenburg to just five hits, striking out nine.
Lunenburg Phillies starting pitcher Matt Morissette delivers during Monday s game. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / GARY FOURNIER
Lunenburg returns to action Wednesday, closing out the regular season at Quinsigamond Community College against Ronnies.
Swedberg, O'Connor throw shutouts for Lunenburg Phillies
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/15/2018 06:37:56 AM EDT
LUNENBURG -- The Lunenburg Phillies picked up a pair of much-needed shutouts, topping Ronnie's 1-0 and 2-0 at Marshall Park on Saturday.
In the opener, Jeff Swedberg tossed a gem, allowing just two hits while striking out 10.
The lone run came in the bottom of the seventh following a double by Pat Gilman. After being bunted to third,
Gilman was lifted in favor of pinch-runner Cooper Bigelow, who was hung out to dry on a botched squeeze play.
However, the catcher's throw to third got away as Bigelow retreated, allowing the game-winning run to score.
In the second game, Jonathan Belliard provided the offense with a two-run double in the sixth, scoring Sean Maki and Ryan Lever.
Kevin O'Connor went the distance in the 2-0 victory, scattering five hits and striking out seven.
The Phillies (18-10) will next host the Clinton 76ers on Monday.
Losing skid hits four for Lunenburg
By Bill Gilman, Correspondent
UPDATED: 07/12/2018 06:22:53 PM EDT
LUNENBURG - Anthony Perry tossed a four-hitter and Kevin Quinlivan cracked a two-run homer, as the Shrewsbury Dirt Dogs handed the Lunenburg Phillies their fourth straight loss, 3-0, Wednesday night at Marshall Park.
The slumping Phillies (15-10) have lost four of their last five at home and six of nine overall.
"The frustration level is starting to rise. In the past 24 hours, we've dropped from first place to third place," said Lunenburg manager Joe Ruth.
With the win, Shrewsbury (16-8-1) moved into first place, for the time being, in the CNBA standings, two points ahead of Clinton.
Perry (8 strikeouts) handcuffed the Phillies all night, allowing just a double to designated hitter Pat Gilman and three singles. Lunenburg never had a runner get past second base.
"We had guys trying to get three hits in one at-bat. We were taking called third strikes," said Ruth. "I mean, (Perry) is good but we were making him look like (Red Sox ace) Chris Sale."
Lunenburg starter Ryan Britton worked the first four innings, allowing all three Shrewsbury runs, two of them earned. Early control problems haunted Britton. He walked three batters and hit another in the first two innings.
Shrewsbury jumped in front in the top of the first. After a two-out walk to Jake Byrne, Quinlivan took Britton deep, giving the Dirt Dogs a 2-0 lead. Shrewsbury upped the lead to 3-0 in the second, without benefit of a hit.
Lunenburg drops 3rd straight game
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/10/2018 11:56:37 AM EDT
It's been a rough few days for the Lunenburg Phillies.
The Phillies dropped their third straight contest on Monday evening, falling to the Clinton 76ers, 5-1, on the road.
CNEBA
Lunenburg (15-9) still sits atop the CNEBA standings with 30 points, one ahead of Shrewsbury, but struggled to get much going Monday. The Phillies managed just three hits, with Connor Wironen's RBI double accounting for the team's lone run.
Jon Belliard and Pat Gilman notched singles in the loss.
Shawn O'Donnell gave up four runs in his start, before giving way to Ethan Sprague, who allowed a run in a pair of innings. Pat Aubuchon pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning for Lunenburg.
The Phillies return to action Wednesday night, welcoming the Shrewsbury Dirt Dogs to Marshall Park for a 6 p.m. contest.
Phillies swept away
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/09/2018 12:09:30 PM EDT
BIG-TIME EFFORT FROM BIGELOW: Despite terrific hustle, Cooper Bigelow, right, of the Lunenburg Phillies was unable to prevent a single to right field during a game against Shrewsbury. Lunenburg lost both games of a doubleheader. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/SCOTT LAPRADE
LUNENBURG -- The Lunenburg Phillies suffered through an uncharacteristically rough afternoon on Sunday, first losing to Shrewsbury, 7-4, before dropping the day's late game to Auburn, 5-4 in eight innings, at Marshall Park.
The losses drop the Phillies to 15-8 on the season, with a quick chance to turn momentum around, as Lunenburg will host Clinton on Monday at 6 p.m.
Pat Gilman and Frank Yavorosky had two hits each to lead the Phillies against Shrewsbury.
Against Auburn, Lunenburg couldn't make use of a terrific outing by starting pitcher Kevin O'Connor, who went seven innings in the no-decision. After O'Connor exited, Auburn pushed the winning run across on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth.
Frank Yavorosky rips a two-run double during Lunenburg's 7-4 loss to Shrewsbury on Sunday. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/SCOTT LAPRADE
Sean Maki continued his torrid hitting, going 3 for 4 in the nightcap. The Phillies had two men on in the bottom of the seventh with no outs, but couldn't push the winning run across.
Lunenburg Phillies third baseman Jon Belliard, left, prepares to tag out a Shrewsbury runner. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/SCOTT LAPRADE
Leominster falls in Legion title game
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 07/02/2018 06:32:05 AM EDT
CNEBA baseball
Auburn 2
Lunenburg 1
The Lunenburg Phillies (14-6) lost on the road despite a dominant three-hitter from pitcher Jeff Swedberg. Derek Guimond delivered an RBI double for the guests' only run in the sweltering heat.
The Phillies are off through the Fourth of July holiday, and will return to action on the road Friday at Shrewsbury.
Leominster prevails at Keene tourney
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/30/2018 06:32:04 AM EDT
CNEBA
Clinton 13
Lunenburg 3
The Phillies took a 3-1 lead into the middle innings, but visiting Clinton scored three, four and four runs over the final three innings to rout Lunenburg.
Lunenburg (14-5) received two more hits from hot-hitting third baseman Jonathan Belliard. Ryan Britton was the tough-luck losing pitcher, as he departed with the Phillies trailing just 4-3.
The Phillies are in the midst of a grueling stretch of seven games in seven days.
Ginsberg has a big day for Lunenburg
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/29/2018 06:32:14 AM EDT
SHREWSBURY -- The Lunenburg Phillies used solid pitching and some heads-up baserunning to topple host Shrewsbury, 3-2, on Wednesday night in Central New England Baseball Association action.
Justin Watt got the win in only his second appearance of the season, while Nathan Ginsberg pitched the final two innings to pick up the save for Lunenburg (14-4).
After Cooper Bigelow delivered an RBI single to tie the game early, things got a little wacky in the field.
Ginsberg came through with a base hit, and Sean Maki, who had been on first base, tried to move over to third. The throw in from the outfield was off-target, and Maki alertly took off for home. A second Shrewsbury error, this time when the third baseman overthrew the catcher at home, allowed Ginsberg to come all the way around to score what proved to be the go-ahead run.
Lunenburg will next host Clinton at 6 p.m. Friday at Marshall Park.
Local roundup: Lunenburg, Leominster suffer setbacks
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/27/2018 06:38:22 AM EDT
WORCESTER -- The Lunenburg Phillies suffered a rare Central New England Baseball Association defeat on Tuesday, falling on the road to Ronnies, 6-3.
Aiden Ward took the loss despite pitching well, and the Phillies, who dropped to 13-4, struggled to push runs across despite producing 11 total team hits. Jonathan Belliard had two doubles and a single to lead the way offensively, while Pat Gilman also shined at the plate with a double and an RBI single.
Outfielder Ethan Sprague and infielder Ryan Lever pitched well in what was a rare relief appearance for each hurler.
Lunenburg will next host Shrewsbury on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Marshall Park in Lunenburg.
Lunenburg 3
Clinton 0
The Phillies witnessed a pair of dazzling pitching performances in Monday's victory, as Shawn O'Donnell allowed one hit in four innings to earn the win, and Nate Ginsberg allowed one hit in three innings of relief.
Offensively for Lunenburg, Pat Gilman had a single and a double, Sean Maki delivered an RBI sacrifice fly, and Jonathan Belliard had an RBI single.
Local roundup: Lunenburg prevails in 8th inning
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/23/2018 06:32:15 AM EDT
SHREWSBURY -- The red-hot Lunenburg Phillies defeated host Shrewsbury, 3-1, in an eight-inning thriller on Friday.
Justin Watt pitched four solid innings in his first Central New England Baseball Association start of the summer. He was relieved by Ryan Britton, who allowed two hits and one walk in four scoreless innings to earn the win.
Jonathan Belliard was the hero offensively, blasting a solo homer in the third and delivering a clutch RBI single in the top of the eighth. Alex Heroux (2 hits) also came through with an RBI single in the eighth for Lunenburg (12-3).
The Phillies will send a quintet of stars to Saturday's CNEBA/North Shore League All-Star game at Shrewsbury, slated for a 2 p.m. start. Brenann Cuddahy, Sean Maki, Aiden Ward, Heroux and Ryan Lever will represent Lunenburg at the all-star contest.
Cuddahy powers Phillies; Leominster Legion on top
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/18/2018 09:07:01 AM EDT
_300.jpg "Lunenburg Phillies pitcher Jeff Swedberg delivers a pitch during Sunday s game. He gave up just two hits in six innings.SENTINEL& ENTERPRISE/JEFF PORTER")
Lunenburg Phillies pitcher Jeff Swedberg delivers a pitch during Sunday s game. He gave up just two hits in six innings. SENTINEL& ENTERPRISE/JEFF PORTER
LUNENBURG -- Brennan Cuddahy belted a two-run homer in the first inning and added a solo shot in the sixth to power the Lunenburg Phillies to a 4-2 CNEBA baseball victory over Rochedale on Sunday at Marshall Park.
Jeff Swedberg worked six efficient innings on the mound, scattering two hits and allowing a pair of unearned runs. Ethan Sprague earned a save in his first pitching appearance of the season, striking out two of the three batters he faced in the seventh.
In addition to Cuddahy's three-RBI performance, Jonathan Belliard delivered an RBI single for the Phillies (11-2), Nathan Ginsberg had a single and triple, and Frank Yavorosky two singles.
Clinton doubles up Phillies
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/15/2018 06:32:09 AM EDT
Things were going well for the Lunenburg Phillies during Thursday night's game against the Clinton 76ers.
Right up until the fifth inning.
The 76ers put together a four-run fifth and then held off the Phillies for a 4-2 victory at Marshall Park.
Down 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Lunenburg (9-2) scored twice cut the lead in half. Ryan Lever walked to lead off the frame before Nathan Ginsburg laced an RBI triple.
Jon Belliard followed with a double and the Philles were back in business, trailing 4-2.
But the hosts squandered an opportunity to score the following inning, getting nothing despite having runners at second and third with one out, and never threatened again.
The Phillies travel to Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester this evening to face Ronnies.
Phillies sweep away Rockets, now 8-1 on year
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/11/2018 06:31:53 AM EDT
AUBURN -- The Lunenburg Phillies continued their red-hot start to the Central New England Baseball Association season with a doubleheader sweep of the Auburn Rockets on Sunday.
Lunenburg (8-1) defeated Auburn 2-1 in the opener, then won the nightcap, 5-1.
Kevin O'Connor was overpowering in the early victory, scattering seven hits in a game that took just 71 minutes to complete. The Phillies got all of their runs from their first two batters, as Sean Maki led off the top of the first with a single, Drew Curran walked, and both came home after a passed ball, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.
In the nightcap, Ryan Britton pitched five solid innings to get the win, and Aidan Ward came on in relief to earn the save.
Again, Lunenburg struck early, as Maki led off the first with a single and Ryan Lever homered for a quick 2-0 lead. Maki finished with two hits on the day, and slugger Brennan Cuddahy delivered an RBI double in the seventh to seal the victory.
Next up, Lunenburg will host Ronnies on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Marshall Park.
Lunenburg Phillies sweep Auburn
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 06/04/2018 06:32:28 AM EDT
LUNENBURG -- The Lunenburg Phillies kept up their hot start to the Central New England Baseball Association season, sweeping the Auburn Rockets in Saturday's doubleheader at Marshall Park.
In the early contest, Jeff Swedberg pitched into the sixth inning to get the win in a 4-2 victory, while Nathan Ginsberg worked the final 1 1-3 innings in relief for the save. Offensively, Jonathan Belliard led the way with two doubles, a single and three RBIs, while Ginsberg (RBI), Joe Balboni (double) and Alex Heroux added two hits each.
It was more of the same in the nightcap, as Kevin O'Connor was in control on the mound to earn the win in a 5-4 victory, and Ryan Britton collected a one-inning save.
Belliard delivered a two-run single in the fifth, Steve LaJoie had two singles and Connor Wironen brought home what proved to be the game-winning run with a successful squeeze bunt in the bottom of the sixth.
With the sweep, the Phillies improve to 5-1 on the season, with a Monday's 6 p.m. home contest against Clinton next up on the schedule.
Local roundup: Leominster sets up must-win game
05/30/2018 06:53:08 AM EDT
CNEBA baseball
Shrewsbury 7
Lunenburg 5
The Lunenburg Phillies had the bases loaded with the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the big hit didn't come. Instead, Lunenburg (2-1) suffered its first loss of the young season, despite solid pitching from starter Shawn O'Donnell (4 innings pitched) and reliever Matt Russell (3 IP). Alex Heroux led Lunenburg offensively with a pair of singles.
Next up, the Phillies will hit the road for the first time this season as they travel to face Clinton on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Phillies open with impressive sweep
Sentinel & Enterprise
UPDATED: 05/28/2018 06:31:44 AM EDT
LUNENBURG -- The Lunenburg Phillies opened the Central New England Baseball Association season in impressive fashion on Sunday, sweeping visiting Rochedale in a doubleheader at Marshall Park.
Lunenburg won a thriller in the opener, 1-0 in eight innings. Jonathan Belliard delivered the game-winning hit with an RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, driving in Steve LaJoie.
On the mound, Jeff Swedberg pitched four shutout innings before giving way to newcomer Nathan Ginsberg, who threw four more shutout innings to earn the win.
In the nightcap, Kevin O'Connor pitched four innings and got the win in a 4-0 victory. Ryan Britton struck out four in three innings of relief.
Gingsberg came through with a two-run triple in the second inning, and the Phillies pushed two more runs across in the sixth on a Derek Guimond squeeze play and a pinch-hit double by Jim Balboni.
Dave Mason added a pair of hits in the victory.
Lunenburg Phillies are loaded with talent
By Nick Mallard, nmallard@sentinelandenterprise.com
UPDATED: 05/27/2018 09:40:51 AM EDT
Lunenburg Phillies manger Joe Ruth looks on as his team takes batting practice on Thursday at Marshall Park. The Phillies will open the CNEBA season at home today with a noon doubleheader against Rochedale. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE
LUNENBURG -- Death, taxes and Joe Ruth putting on a baseball uniform in late spring.
If only Benjamin Franklin were still around, he'd have a chance to update his list of life's certainties.
Entering his 41st Central New England Baseball Association season, Ruth doesn't get on the field nearly as much as he once did. But his passion for the game has yet to fade and his enthusiasm is high as the 2018 Lunenburg Phillies season nears.
"It's a ton of work and it costs quite a bit of money (to keep coming back), so to keep doing it, it has to be something I really enjoy. I wouldn't keep doing this if it wasn't fun," said Ruth, who has been with the Phillies for all 35 of the team's years in Lunenburg and part of the CNEBA for all but its first season.
Lunenburg's Cooper Bigelow takes batting practice on Thursday at Marshall Park. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE
"I keep going because it's fun and we have a good group of guys here.
"It's a ton of work that starts long before the season begins, but the second the season is over I'm already looking to the next Memorial Day weekend and the start of it all again."
The Phillies came up short in their quest to defend the 2016 CNEBA title last year. After earning the top seed for the league's playoffs, Lunenburg was bounced in a three-game semifinal series by Ronnie's Recs -- the team that would be the runner-up to the Clinton 76ers.
Needless to say, Ruth's desire to compete for another title -- he's won four with the Phillies already -- hasn't dipped at all.
"Trying to win a championship every year with these guys is something I look forward to," Ruth said.
In addition to the usual foes, the Phillies will now have to contend with an Auburn Rockets team new to CNEBA play. The now six-team league saw the departure of the Blackstone Valley and Worcester franchises in the offseason.
"It's really unfortunate. I'd like to add another team or two to the league if we could next year," said Ruth, who also serves as CNEBA president. "You take away two teams and that's taking away the chance for around 50 guys to play.
And we've got a waiting list of players -- we call it our free-agent list -- on the league website with bios and everything for guys who are hoping to catch on with a team."
This year's campaign begins Sunday as the Phillies host Rochdale for a doubleheader at Marshall Park, kicking things off at noon. Before that came the task of tinkering with a roster loaded with area talent.
"I've got nine new guys this season, and that includes a couple guys who played before but took time off for whatever reason," Ruth said. "But we've got some depth this year; we're two-deep at most positions.
And we've got some good arms on the pitching staff."
Look no further than the wealth of infielders Lunenburg has as proof of that depth. Jonathan Belliard, Drew Curran, Alex Heroux, Steve LaJoie, Joe Balboni, Mike Ryan, Frank Yavorosky, Brennan Cuddahy, Cooper Bigelow -- also an outfield possibility -- and Chris Vacarelo are all slated to play somewhere on Marshall Park's infield dirt, with Ryan and Yavorosky set to see time behind the plate, as is Connor Wironen (who will also be an outfielder).
Lunenburg's Andrew Curran pitches during Thursday's batting-practice session. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE
In addition to Wironen and Bigelow, Ethan Sprague, Pat Gilman, Dave Mason, Sean Maki and Nathan Ginsberg will see time patrolling the outfield grass.
Ginsberg also figures to get on the mound for Lunenburg, along with Matt Russell, Shawn O'Donnell, Jeff Swedberg, Kevin O'Connor, Justin Watt, Ryan Britton, Aidan Ward and Jim Balboni. Though talented, the pitching staff has Ruth worried at the beginning of the 2018 campaign.
"Most of our guys haven't thrown much or much lately, so it's a bit of a concern starting the year," Ruth admitted. "But once we get going, we've got some really good pitchers."
Regardless of how long it takes for those arms to get going -- hopefully not long -- or how deep of a run into the postseason the Phillies make -- hopefully a long run -- Ruth knows he'll be back for more.
"My wife is a saint for putting up with this," Ruth joked. "She figured I'd be done with this a long time ago, but I'm still going. And I'll keep going as long as these guys make it enjoyable."
| Team | Record | Win % | Home | Away | RF | RA | Last 10 | Streak |
| Lunenburg Phillies | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 |
