Murray, defense set tone for Rebels
Facing a four-run deficit in the top of the third inning, it was clear it was going to be a long day for Bridgewater-Raynham against Walpole ace Steve Murray and the Rebels' strong defense.
Walpole (19-5) wouldn't have wanted anyone else on the mound in a game like this, and given that Murray has walked only three batters in 85 innings this year, he was going to make the Trojans (18-6) earn their runs.
He pounded the strike zone consistently and let his defense do the work as he forced 10 ground outs.
Murray allowed eight hits and one run while striking out five in a complete-game effort as the Rebels rolled to a 9-1 win in the Division 1 South semifinals in Quincy to advance to tonight's final against BC High.
"Steve just kept throwing strikes and getting ahead of their hitters. He did a great job today," Walpole coach Bill Tompkins said.
The Walpole defense also was outstanding, making all of the routine plays in addition to a few spectacular ones. The Trojans' sloppy defense opened the floodgates for the Rebel offense. After an overthrow by B-R catcher Dan Belanger in the third inning, Murray and Chris Ferro came through with RBI singles.
"I'm disappointed with our defense today because it took us out of the ballgame early," B-R coach John Kearney said. "We made physical and mental errors and a good team like that is going to make you pay."
Any thought of a Bridgewater-Raynham comeback was squashed in the fifth when starter Ed Campbell had two outs but was unable to get the third before loading the bases and giving up a three-run double to Santino Mastromatteo.
"That was the biggest hit in the game; getting that big lead [8-0] was important because it kept the pressure on the other team," Tompkins said.
BC High 5, North Attleboro 2 - Scott Warwick wasn't about to let the Red Rocketeers ruin a return to his hometown. The Quincy native went the distance at Adams Field, striking out 10 for BC High in a Division 1 South semifinal.
With the game tied, 2-2, flashes of lightning prompted umpires to delay the game for 30 minutes. Red Rocketeers starter Mike Mancini struggled after the break. With runners on first and second, UMass-Amherst-bound Tom Conley raised his hand to call time, but his request was denied by umpire Art Krikorian. Conley didn't miss a beat, slapping an RBI single past the dive of shortstop Brendan Picini for the Eagles' go-ahead run.
Warwick retired the last 12 batters and allowed only two base runners after the lightning delay.
"I felt like I got stronger [after the delay]," said Warwick, who threw in the bullpen to keep fresh during the half-hour break.
Division 3 North
Tyngsboro 7, Shawsheen 6 - Different leagues. Different year. Same old battle. Tyngsboro may have thought it had seen the last of its longtime Commonwealth Athletic Conference nemesis Shawsheen when the Tigers moved from the CAC to the Dual County League in the fall of 2007.
It took less than one season, however, for the foes to meet again, as Tyngsboro observed a familiar opponent from the opposite dugout in a Division 3 North semifinal at LeLacheur Park.
The game brought back memories as well, as Tyngsboro twice took leads (4-0 and 6-4) before the Rams clawed back and tied it. The Tigers needed two extra innings to advance, prevailing in nine.
Mark Lane, who was one out from winning the game in the seventh, knocked in the winning run in the ninth. The lefthander was pulled with two outs in the seventh and was in center field when Stephen McIsaac's single tied the game. In the top of the ninth, Lane singled to center, driving in Mike Szablak with the go-ahead run.
The seventh-seeded Tigers (17-6) will meet top seed North Reading today at 2 at LeLacheur for the Division 3 North title.
Globe correspondents David Carty and Jeff Powalisz contributed to this report. 