HADLEY — Hopkins Academy boasts one of the top high school pitchers in the area in Jon Morrison. On Wednesday, the Athol Red Raiders scratched a run off Morrison then got to the Golden Hawks’ reliever to win 4-1.
“It was an important win for us against one of the premier pitchers in the state,” said Athol coach Josh Talbot. “We got to Morrison early and beat up the bullpen to earn the win.”
The Red Raiders (2-2) tagged Morrison for one run on two hits in four innings. They got to Justin Ciaglo for three runs on three hits and four walks, while holding Hopkins (1-2) to just two runs (zero earned) on one hit and six walks combined between two pitchers.
Mark Ferrari started for the Red Raiders, going four innings, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks, striking out seven. Nicholas Bousuet then came in for the final three innings, earning the win and striking out seven, while allowing no runs or hits and only three walks.
“We challenged Mark to step up against Morrison and he did,” said Talbot. “He was overpowering and they never got the ball out of the infield. Nick took over with a smile, and had the swagger we needed to get us to the finish. He has gotten better with each outing.”
The Red Raiders tagged Hopkins for two runs in the sixth inning and one in the seventh to take a 3-1 lead.
After Bousquet and Kris Selanis walked, and with one out in the inning, Robbie Nelson doubled home Bousquet and moved Selanis over to third. After Selanis was tagged out going to home, James Laford drove in Nelson from third to put Athol up 4-1.
The Red Raiders added another in the seventh on an RBI double by Bousquet, who also singled and scored in the first inning on a single by Selanis.
Bousquet went 2-for-3 with two runs, one double, one walk and one RBI. Selanis went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one walk, as well. Keegan Lutz scored one run for the Red Raiders.