SOUTHAMPTON — Southampton fell to Southborough, 8-1, in the Little League Senior Division Section 1 finals Friday afternoon at Labrie Field.
Southampton is scheduled to play at Swansea on Sunday in the final round of the Little League Senior Division Section 1 finals.
Pitcher Mike Baldwin started the game strong for Southampton and kept the first two innings scoreless.
Jake Vishaway began the top of the third with a hard hit to right field that resulted in a single. Two batters later, Vishaway capitalized on an overthrow past Southborough catcher to score the first run of the game for Southampton.
Southampton held that 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fifth, when an error at shortstop allowed Southborough to tie the game 1-1. Following the run, Southampton coach Max Weir replaced Baldwin with Garrett Antosz.
After Southborough quickly scored four more runs, Weir switched pitchers again, this time subbing in Vishaway.
Southborough scored twice more before Baldwin, now at third base, secured the final out with a strong throw to first.
Southborough added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a passed ball. Southampton could not respond in the top of the seventh and fell at home.
Southampton qualified for the Section 1 finals after defeating Westfield, 12-3, in the District 2 Senior championship. Southampton fell to the bottom of the tournament pool with a record of 0-2 after also losing to Winchendon, 6-0, in the first round Wednesday.
Despite Southampton’s early loss, Weir insisted the team was still feeling confident going into Friday’s game.
“We came into practice the next day, and before we started, we sat down and said listen, ‘we’re still the best team in the area,’” Weir said. “We still thought we were the best team in the state.”
Weir, an 18-year-old first-year coach, remained positive about Southampton’s season.
“Similar things happened today that happened in Winchendon, but it is what it is,” Weir said. “I mean, to go 17-2 is a tremendous year. I told them at the end, ‘there’s nothing to hang your head about. 17-2 is incredible.’”
Pellegrini thought Southampton’s play was inconsistent with the rest of its season.
“Coming off the last loss, it was our first loss of the season, we really wanted to focus on getting our bats going and not making as many errors as we did last game,” Pellegrini said. “Normally we don’t make as many errors as we did today and usually we hit better.”