West Roxbury Baseball Knocked Out of State Tournament

It was a short playoff run for the West Roxbury baseball squad, as they were bounced in the first round of the state tournament by visiting Georgetown on Thursday. 

West Roxbury Head Coach Eddie Ocasio and his players took the 4-2 loss in stride, noting that their bats just weren't working in the cold, windy conditions.

"The last two games, we didn't perform," said Ocasio.  "We just didn't hit the ball well enough.  But we had a great season."

In the first round of the North Division 4 playoffs, #10 seed Georgetown, out of the Cape Ann League improved to 7-14, and held Westie (11-10) to just five hits.  Two of those came in the seventh, as the Raiders third baseman Jonathan Bonilla led off with a double to right.  Two batters later,  sophomore Xavier Alicea singled him in with a shot up the middle.  The rally stopped there, as Georgetown reliever Ryan Browner retired the last two batters to close the game.

West Roxbury starting pitcher Jovanny Baez struggled with his control early, allowing six walks in the first two innings, including the first three batters of the game.  There was some speculation that Baez wasn't sufficiently warmed up prior to the game. 

"Maybe I was a little nervous, maybe it was the wind," he explained after the game.  Nevertheless, Baez settled down nicely, allowing just one hit in the last four innings.

"These are the best players I've ever played with," added Baez.  "It was the best senior year.  We gave it our all; I have no regrets."

Freshman utility player Andy Gonzalez echoed those thoughts while looking ahead to the future of West Roxbury baseball.  "I loved playing with these guys.  We had a good team, I'm excited about next season already."