Pittsfield defeats Capital Area in duel with Babe Ruth pitchers

AUGUSTA — Sometimes the bats need a few innings to warm up, and sometimes they don’t.

Pitching and baserunning were the stars of the show in Saturday’s New England Babe Ruth League regional matchup between Pittsfield and Augusta’s Capital Area. The Western Massachusetts champions (2-0) defeated the tournament hosts 5-0 on the second day of pool play.

This is the second shutout Pittsfield (2-0) and Capital Area (0-2) have participated in during the regional tournament, albeit on opposite sides.

Both starters, Capital Area’s River Fallos and Pittsfield’s Cam Hillard, controlled the game and were able to force outs on the grounders or with their curveballs. They both finished the day with seven strikeouts and five walks before exhausting their pitch counts in the 7th inning.

Entering the final period, Pittsfield led by one run (scored on a passed ball in the 5th inning) and the two teams combined for just two hits. A series of walk-error-intentional walks loaded the bases for Pittsfield and gave the visitors a chance to break away with the lead.

Capital Area’s River Fallos slides back into first base to avoid being intercepted by Pittsfield first baseman John Mullen on Saturday during the Babe Ruth New England (13-16) Regional game at McGuire Field in Augusta. Anna Chadwick/Morning Watch

Another passed ball and fielder’s choice gave Pittsfield two more runs. A stand-up double by centerfielder/relief pitcher Ed Ferris drove in two more, securing the win.

Capital Area didn’t give up yet, walking two runners before a double play ended the game. Fallos recorded the team’s only hit.

“We’re disappointed with the outcome, but we’re not disappointed with the kids,” Capital Area head coach Greg Lajoie said. “They played hard, they played great defense and River Fallos fought through six innings. … I’m proud of them and I think we’ll bounce back tomorrow.”

Pittsfield head coach Ben Stohr was happy to end the day with a win, even though he didn’t perform very well.

“It started with Hillard on the mound,” Stohr said. “He’s been doing it for us for a long time, just throwing strikes, getting in front of the hitters, making our defense make plays. … We just feel like if Cam’s out there and rolling, we’ve got a chance. We just got to give him some runs.”

Pittsfield’s Cam Hillard throws a ball during the 13-16 Babe Ruth New England regional game against Capital Area on Saturday in Augusta. Anna Chadwick/Morning Watch

Both coaches indicated that they want to score more hits in the remainder of the tournament, but nothing significant will change in their approach as the final day of group matches begins on Sunday.

Pittsfield and Norwalk, both 2-0, will play first at McGuire Field at 10 a.m. The winner of the morning game will secure the Pool B 1 seed and a bye on Monday. Capital Area and North Providence-Smithfield, both 0-2, will take the field at 1 p.m. to battle for a chance to advance to regional play.

“It’s a ‘win no matter what’ situation,” Fallos said. “We just have to put the ball on the ball. The last two games we obviously haven’t done so well. We’ve been eliminated twice, which doesn’t suit us, but I think we’ll be in a good position tomorrow.”

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