WINCHENDON — Monday’s game between the Chuck Stone Little League Sinclair team and Winchendon took more than three hours to complete. What a brutal way to start the week for the players, parents and fans alike.
Chuck Stone lost 21-5 in Jimmy Fund tournament play. Everyone had checked out by the fourth inning, even the players, when Winchendon put up eight runs on six hits, one walk, one error and one hit batsman. Chuck Stone players waved home runs good-bye from the outfield, while the crowd went silent along with the benches of both teams.
“Just stay positive,” said assistant coach James Williams about keeping the players motivated and head’s in the game. Williams filled in for head coach Tony Vitello on Monday. “Just stay motivated and tell them to have fun.”
It can be hard though when Winchendon, the first place team in group play, now with a 4-0 record, smacks 21 runs on 13 hits and 12 walks. Winchendon had seven consecutive batters reach base in the fourth inning, while six consecutive batters reached in the fifth. Winchendon also hit two grand slams, one from Steven Gauthier (two home runs) and one from Cole Peterson. Gauthier’s turned into a three-run homer when one player did not tag home and was called out when the runner behind him touched home before the previous runner could tag.
Chuck Stone had to call upon four pitchers on Monday. Starter Branden Engelke-Aiken kept his team in the game, giving up seven runs (four earned) on five hits in 3 ⅓ innings. It was everyone else behind him that faltered.
James Williams, son to assistant coach James Williams, pitched one inning, giving up nine runs on five hits and four walks. He came in with his team down 7-3 and allowed Winchendon to take a 15-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth before striking out Alex Leblanc. Oliver Johnson then came in in the fifth inning and gave up two runs on four walks and one home run before leaving after just one out and with the bases loaded. Alex Lavine came in and got the only batter he faced to fly out to center.
“(Winchendon) has a very strong team,” said Williams. “We had good pitching to start out and the rest of them are learning. Big learning day.”
Chuck Stone fell to 2-3 with the loss. The team will play one more game on Thursday against fourth-seeded North Leominster before the single elimination tournament. North Leominster is 0-4 on the year.