WRENTHAM, Mass - The Attleboro High School Blue Bombardiers are now riding on a two game winning streak in the Hockomock after defeating the King Philip Warriors 5-2 on a seventh inning rally.
While Attleboro came away with the victory, it was King Philip starting pitcher Eric Cote who dominated most of the game. Pitching the full game, the southpaw had held the Bombardiers scoreless through six, and only five men had reached base, three on hits, one hit by a pitch, and one from an error, and was backed by a 1-0 lead.
But it was the final inning where Attleboro's offense suddenly sparked. Catcher Ryan Bowen lead the inning off with a single, and was pinch ran by Brandon Clark, who would steal second during the next at-bat, which resulted in another single by pitcher Travis Tanguay, who would also go on to swipe the base. Two at-bats later, third baseman Ryan Greenleaf smacked the ball down the foul line and drove in both off of a triple, and after center fielder Tommy Burns walked, right fielder Sean Curran singled to bring Greenleaf home, and shortstop Max Lancaster had a sacrifice bunt, Adam Woodhead did exactly the same to make it five. Cote struck out first baseman Keith Drucker to end the inning, though despite his team's efforts in the bottom half, loading the bases and third baseman Malatesta driving in the right fielder Rolfe with only one out, an infield fly and a grounder to the pitcher would end their chance at a comeback and their first win of the season.
The pitching performance for Tanguay, who ended up finishing with his second win in two chances, was important in helping to keep his club in the game. The junior tossed six innings giving up only four hits, a run, and a walk, and despite not striking out any of the KP batters, he kept himself in there and was backed up by a strong showing from his defense. Curran would move from right to the mound to close things out in the second, and after walking the first batter and giving up three straight singles, with a pop out to the first baseman in between, he was able to recollect and shut them down to secure the win.
Malatesta lead his team's offensive efforts, and three of the four hits given up by Tanguay were his. He finished the game a perfect four for four from the leadoff spot, all four of which went for singles. He also stole a base in the first and was picked off of first in the fifth. Other notable performances came from the center fielder Lupo, who went two for three with an RBI, and despite both going hitless, the first baseman Hopkins and second baseman Harrington were credited with both of the team's runs, having reached base on walks.
Standing out in Attleboro's offense, all the way from the nine hole, was Greenleaf, going two for three with a single, triple, run, and two RBIs. Tanguay went two for three with two singles and a run, and reached base in the second on an error. Bowen went one for two with a run and Woodhead was one for four with two RBIs.
Both return to action on Wednesday, with Attleboro hosting Taunton and King Philip hosting Kelley-Rex Division leaders Franklin.