HAVERHILL, Mass. ---- For the 26th consecutive season the Massasoit baseball team will head to the Region 21 Tournament under head coach Tom Frizzell. The Warriors clinched a spot in the two-team best-of-three tournament by knocking off Northern Essex, 9-3, on Thursday afternoon.
"It was a big win for us today, because we are in (the playoffs)," veteran skipper Tom Frizzell said. "Now we hope we can roll through the weekend and keep the momentum going, but the important thing is that we are in."
The third inning proved to be the difference in the ball game as the Warriors improved to 15-16 on the season. The 9-hole hitter Jon Hurley (Plainville) started a string of four consecutive singles followed by Evan McSherry (Halifax), Kevin Huscher (Middleboro) and Bryan Dwyer (Abington) to get things rolling for the Warriors. Dwyer's base knock drove in a run to even the score, 1-1.
Next was Tyler Morini (Plymouth) who roped a sac fly in front of Alex Carey's (East Bridgewater) mammoth three-run homer, his team-best fourth of the season, to give the Warriors a commanding 5-1 advantage.
In the top of the seventh, Dylan Ashburn (Norton) and Justin Martinho (Dighton) each knocked in an insurance run to highlight the Warrior offense.
Massasoit received a lights out pitching performance from James Bussiere (Norwood). The righty went the first six innings allowing three runs, with only one being earned, improving his record to 3-4 on the season. Liam Richmond (Hingham) retired the Knights in order in the seventh, before the game was called due to inclement weather.
"Bussiere was untouchable for us today," Frizzell said. "The five run third was the big difference in the game. Carey's homer was crushed and we really had everyone contribute up and down the lineup."
The Warriors close out the regular season by hosting Holyoke CC in a doubleheader on Saturday starting at Noon and playing at Quinsigamond CC on Sunday.
Massasoit will face Northern Essex in a best-of-three series in Haverhill, Mass., for the Region 21 Championship, beginning Friday, May 13.
