BELCHERTOWN — Thirteen hits helped the Belchertown Post 239 Senior American Legion baseball team claim its fourth consecutive win after downing Pittsfield Post 68 No. 2, 8-1, on Wednesday at Belchertown High School.

Belchertown’s Jacob Smith and Chace Earle each contributed three RBIs, while Spencer Waite, Thatcher Rudnik, Josh Misiaszek and Ryan Gould joined Smith in the multi-hit department in an impressive showing from Belchertown’s bats in sweltering heat.

“I liked our intensity,” Post 239 head coach Todd McDonald said. “I liked that we were aggressive at the plate, the first few games of the year, we were a little bit slow to get started. The past couple games, we’ve been more aggressive. I thought we hit some balls hard even when we had some outs.”

Belchertown wasted no time ballooning the score as it plated four runs in the first inning, thanks in large part to a three-run home run from Earle. The smooth-swinging righty cracked the ball dead center over the fence to make it 4-0 for the hosts. Smith started the scoring for Post 239 with a RBI double off the left field fence right before Earle’s opening-frame jack.

Misiaszek, Smith and Earle bat third, fourth and fifth in Belchertown’s lineup and on Wednesday, the trio totaled five hits (four extra-bases) and five runs scored.

“Those three in a row kind of protect each other, because the can all put the bat on the ball,” McDonald said.

Pittsfield managed its lone run during the third inning on an RBI single from Dylan Turner.

Post 239 supplemented its lead even more during the fourth inning, tallying three more runs. Rudnik pulled a double down the third base line that scored one, before a sacrifice fly from Smith and an RBI single from Waite brought it to 7-1.

Another RBI double during the sixth inning, this time from Smith (2-for-3), pushed Belchertown’s advantage to 8-1 and counted as Post 239’s final extra-base hit of the contest (five total).

“When we have the opportunity to hit the ball hard, that’s our goal,” McDonald said. “Hit the ball hard and good things will happen. We can’t control where that ball goes, but that’s just our focus when we get in the box.”

Belchertown starting pitcher Jake Waller had a stress-free outing on the mound in this one, picking up the win with five hits allowed, one run (earned) while adding one strikeout and two walks in five innings. 

“It helps me work a little better,” Waller said on the benefits of pitching with a lead. “Whether I want to pitch to the side… when I’m working with a lead my whole philosophy changes. Whether it’s tied or we’re down a few runs, whether we’re up a few, whether we’re up a lot, so it’s nice to have the guys behind me today.”

Belchertown’s pitchers have had a larger margin for error than usual of late as its offense has blossomed. Post 239 has outscored its opponents 29-3 throughout the four-game winning streak, making it easier for its pitchers to get the job done from the rubber.

“Usually every start, I try and put up a zero at the top of the first and then just let the guys behind me do what they can do because I know that we all trust each other,” Waller said. “Whether we’re going to get on base, whether we’re going to drive in a run with a sac fly, it’s nice to know they’ll be behind me, or whoever is pitching.”

Run support didn’t stop Waller from attacking Pittsfield batters early in the count as the hurler mentioned his changeup was his most effective pitch on Wednesday, getting multiple Pittsfield batters to ground out.

“I’ve been struggling getting ahead of counts a lot, I’ve been walking a few guys [so] today, it felt nice to get ahead in the counts and be able throw what I want to throw and not have to go to the hitter,” Waller said.

Gavin Maffucio took the loss for Pittsfield on the bump, giving up 10 hits, seven runs and striking out three Belchertown batters in three innings.

Post 239 will look to make it five in a row when it travels to Sheffield Post 340 next Monday. First pitch at War Memorial Field is set for 5:45 p.m.

Pittsfield Post 68 No. 1 11, Northampton Post 28 6 – Pittsfield’s No. 1 team rallied back from a 6-1 Northampton lead during the fourth inning to stay undefeated (5-0) and hand Post 28 its second loss of the season (4-2).

Andrew Gagne finished as Northampton’s best batter with four RBIs, including a two-run double during the top of the first inning. Liam Flynn (two hits, two RBIs) and Matt Vassallo (two hits) also swung the sticks well for Post 28.

Northampton is back in action on Friday with an away game against Greenfield Post 81.