SOUTH HADLEY — The Northampton Post 28 American Legion baseball team notched its eighth straight win on Monday, defeating South Hadley 18-3 in six innings.
Northampton (12-1) is in first in the Western Mass Legion League.
“At this point in the season, when I see the players getting tired and getting worn down, I see their focus wearing, but the coaching just keeps building them back up and keeps them on task,” Northampton coach Chuck Holt said.
Second baseman Tim Horton got a hit in each of his first three at-bats. He finished 3-for-5 with two singles, an RBI and three runs scored. Horton said the “energy of the team” contributed to his offensive production.
“We’re on a roll right now so I like just getting in the zone and following up what my teammates are doing,” Horton said.
Ian Ostberg doubled, singled, had three RBIs and three runs scored.
Will O’Connor singled twice, had two RBIs and three runs scored.
Hector DeJesus started for Northampton and allowed one run on three hits with one walk and no strikeouts.
With an 11-1 lead in the fourth inning, DeJesus was relieved by Pat Grygorcewicz, who recently began pitching.
“He wasn’t a pitcher but I coached him into it,” Holt said. “He’s asked me a few times to pitch. He’s showed the enthusiasm. I knew he could do the job and I was happy to put him out there. I thought he did a really great job.”
Grygorcewicz gave up two runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout.
Ethan Fleming started for South Hadley Post 260 and gave up six runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
Jacob Roux relieved Fleming after three innings and held Northampton scoreless for the next two innings.
“He provided us with exactly what you want out of your relief pitcher,” South Hadley coach Matt Anthonis said. “He brought a little bit of a change of pace, he came in throwing strikes on his spots. Jake is a confident pitcher who is going to be out there having fun no matter what. So his attitude on the mound and his ability to throw strikes was great.”
Northampton scored seven runs in the top of the sixth before the game ended by the mercy rule.
South Hadley fell to 3-9.
“We’re going to try and get ourselves in a position to have a better seed going into the playoffs,” Anthonis said. “If we have a middle seed, we think we have a pretty good chance of getting some wins. But our main goal is to get our momentum going forward in the regular season.”