The Bromfield baseball team staged two comebacks last week, but fell short in both, first losing last Wednesday to Murdock by a score of 12-6 and then losing on Friday to Ayer by a score of 4-3.
In the Murdock game, Bromfield struggled in the field. Junior pitcher Clayton Galeski went four and two-thirds innings, walking just two. However, five infield errors didn’t help his cause, and he had quickly given up seven runs before exiting the game in the fifth, with the bases loaded and two outs.
With Bromfield down 7-0, senior pitcher Peter Moberly entered the game, and on the first pitch he threw to designated hitter Mark Enwright. Enwright extended the lead by four, hitting a grand slam over the right field wall.
Losing 12-0 in the sixth inning, Bromfield’s bats stormed back. Catcher Will Byler doubled and Miles Jarvis was hit by a pitch; a Galeski single brought both runners in. Then, senior captain Brett Keating was hit by a pitch, and Moberly double-plated two more. Bromfield added two more runs in the seventh on a Trevor Granville double and a Byler hit-by-pitch, and the game ended 12-6.
On Friday, Bromfield faced off against the 1-4 Ayer Panthers with Granville on the mound. Granville struck out two in a 1-2-3 first inning, which were the first of nine K’s the sophomore had in his five and two-thirds innings of work. Granville looked to get the offense started in the first and doubled on a ball up the left field hill, but was stranded at second.
After Ayer right fielder Mike Snyder singled, a two-base error on an overthrow from shortstop led to two runs for Ayer.
Bromfield fought back in the bottom of the second. Senior captain Derek Silver singled up the middle and Galeski singled to left. Keating bombed the ball onto the left-field hill, plating Silver. Will Nocka was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Bromfield. Ayer pitcher Patrick Sallett got his first out of the inning when Jason Frye bounced the ball back to the pitcher, who went home with the ball to force Galeski out. Mitch Williams grounded out to second-scoring Keating. The inning ended tied at two.
In the fifth inning, Jarvis doubled to lead off the inning, and advanced to third on a Silver sacrifice fly. Jarvis then scored on a pass ball, and Bromfield led 3-2.
Granville let just three balls into the outfield in his performance, but a walk and back-to-back singles got him into trouble in the sixth inning. Silver entered the game, and walked consecutive batters to force in two runs, putting Ayer ahead 4-3.
In the seventh, Silver was hit by a pitch to lead off, and promptly stole second base. Freshman Ben Veno pinch hit for Galeski, and skied a ball to center field. Ayer center fielder Matt Lartor made an impressive catch with his back turned to the infield. Silver stole third while Keating was at bat, but a failed safety squeeze eliminated Silver at the plate. The game ended 4-3.
Granville gave up four runs on five hits, striking out nine in his five and two-thirds innings of work.
