WEYMOUTH, Mass -- After being rained out of what would have been their first game in the Futures League on Wednesday against Bristol, the Westfield Starfires got to play their first game in the league in front of their own fans Friday night at Bullens Field. Though it was a night of celebration for the organization and the city of Westfield, the game ended 3-0 in favor of the visiting Suns.
Pittsfield’s Jon Morrison shined on the mound, throwing five no-hit innings, striking out five. He was replaced by lefty Matt Clarkin, who pitching three innings of no-hit ball out of the pen with three strikeouts. Shaun Gamelin earned the save in the ninth, completing the 3-0 win but allowing a hit to the Starfires, erasing the possibility of the league’s second combined no-hitter in as many days.
The Starfires first ever Futures League hit came in the ninth inning to break up the no-hitter off the bat of Andrew Ciacciarelli. He singled with one out in the inning to make Starfire history.
The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning, when Pittsfield’s Jack Khawly drove in Jeffrey Boggess on an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead. The Suns expanded on that lead in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two runs on a Starfires miscue after two singles by Dom Hughes and Matt Malcom to start off the inning. Those two runs ran the score to its eventual final, 3-0, in favor of Pittsfield.
Neither team would score again though the Starfires threatened in the ninth on the Ciacciarelli single which could have resulted in an RBI single but the runner coming around rom second was thrown out at home to preserve the Pittsfield shutout.
The Starfires have a great family feel within the organization and deep roots in the Westfield area. Westfield’s Director of Baseball Operations, Evan Moorhouse and his brother of Sean Moorhouse, a first baseman for the team and the Westfield State University Owls baseball team are the sons of team ownership partner, Donnie Moorhouse. This will undoubtedly be an advantage for the organization and will be recognized throughout their inaugural season.
Futures League intern, Owen Shadrick, had a chance to sit down with Evan Moorhouse this week. “I’m confident in this team. I understand we are the underdogs, but I believe these are 35 college kids who want to get better and I feel confident in this groups work ethic,” said Moorhouse. “The last few days leading up to the opener have been hectic. A lot of moving parts. It’s the biggest day in our team’s history. I’m excited for the season and to see what comes of it. We have a great community rallying around us to go along with our team of passionate and determined young men on the field.”
The Starfires will play a doubleheader on Saturday, June 1st on the road against Bristol to make for the game that was rained out on Wednesday against the Blues. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:00 PM at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut. Game two will begin at 7:00 PM.
Stay Connected