Westport junior Luke Finglas mowed down Wareham hitters in the Westport baseball team’s 5-1 victory in an away game on Thursday afternoon. The win was the Wildcats third straight as they improve to 4-3.
The right-handed junk throwing Finglas struck out 11 in a complete game 4-hitter. He walked just 3 batters and allowed just one run in the first inning. He shut down the Vikings the rest of the way.
“Luke had pretty good command of his off speed pitches and looked sharper as the game went on,” said head coach Nate Charette. “His last three innings were arguably his best.”
Offense bashes 9 hits, scores 5 runs
The offense bashed 9 hits and scored 2 runs in the second and one in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings. In the second inning, senior Owen Boudria quickly got the lead back for Westport. The sinewy outfielder cracked a double to left field, moved to third on an error and scored on a double hit by Bryton Graham. With two out in the inning, Joey Guild reached on an error, stole second base, moved to third and scored on a double by Jack Valton to give Westport a 2-1 lead.
“Boudria is a superior athlete who has become our cleanup hitter,” said Coach Charette. “He has been productive in every aspect of the game.”
Leadoff hitter Kasen Avila reached on an error to lead off the third inning. He stole second base, moved to third on an error and scored on a base hit by Max Gallant.
In the fourth inning, Graham led off with a base hit to right field. Dane Leary hit a two out single down the left-field line to score Graham for a Wildcats 4-1 lead.
Avila, leading off the fifth inning, singled and stole second. Connor James stepped to the plate and crushed a triple into the right field gap. Avila easily scored to give Westport a 5-1 lead.
“Connor has been outstanding all year,” said Coach Charette. “He is arguably the league MVP right now.”
James the team’s ace has been instrumental in the team’s winning streak. The big righty struck out 11 and pitched a complete game 4 hitter in their 9-3 win over Atlantis Charter School on April 23. James also smashed a homer during the Atlantis win and went 2 for 3 with 3 runs batted in.
Westport has received outstanding pitching from James, Finglas, Gallant, Boudria and Ben Bernier during the winning streak. Bernier received his first varsity win in the Wildcats 6-3 pasting of Holbrook on April 25. He, Boudria and Gallant teamed up to pitch a one hitter. Guild, a freshman outfielder, went 2 for 3 and drove in 2 runs in the Holbrook win.
Baseball notes
New line up and coaching staff
Westport, who graduated 8 starters last season, has a relatively new lineup this season, according to Coach Charette.
“The players overall are athletic and have good speed,” he said. “They have been very coachable with the new staff. We simply want to see progression in our skills and execution as the season continues.”
Position players receive kudos from Coach Charette
Gallant has been excellent defensively, at shortstop for the Wildcats according to Coach Charette.
“Brayton is having a very good season with the bat,” Coach Charette said of Graham the Wildcats' catcher, who hits fifth in the lineup.
Valton, who plays third base, has also been good defensively, said Coach Charette and Avila who hits leadoff, plays second base.
The outfield has been a combination of Dylan Kirby, Boudria, Dane Leary, and Guild.
“Leary and Guild are showing much promise during their freshmen seasons,” Coach Charette said. “Kirby is very fast, is a good base stealer and is a major asset defensively.”
The Wildcats also welcomed new transfer players this season. Finn Hall is an infielder who transferred from Bishop Connolly. Gabe Botelho, a catcher, transferred from Atlantis Charter.
On the bench, Jaiden Oliveira pitches and plays outfield. Nick Olson plays outfield. Jesse Oliveira plays second base. Michael DeGagne, the Wildcats’ lone senior, has been out of the lineup due to an injury.
“Michael is expected back soon. He is an offensive presence in the middle of the lineup,” Coach Charette said.
