Crowley Ties Career HR Record as Owls Blitz Blazers, 11-6

Anthony Crowley (file photo)
Anthony Crowley (file photo)

Westfield, MA- Westfield State used a five run eighth inning to pull away to an 11-6 win over the MCLA Trailblazers this afternoon in MASCAC action.  The game was originally scheduled to be played in North Adams but was moved to Westfield due to wet field conditions.  The Owls (10-6, 3-1 MASCAC) will travel to Framingham State on Friday.  MCLA (6-13, 0-4 MASCAC) will host Fitchburg State on Friday.

The Owls started fast putting up three runs in the top of the first off Trailblazer starter Mike Urbanski (2-2).  Westfield's Anthony Crowley belted a two run homer to deep left for an early 2-0 advantage.  Crowley tied the Westfield State career record for home runs with his 24th, tying Dave Carlucci '85, who left school early to sign to play in the LA Dodgers system.  The Owls would add another run on Aaron Clancy's sacrifice fly which scored Nick Martin to make it 3-0 after one inning of play.

The Owls would add another run after a Trailblazer miscue put Tyler Beach on third, he came around on Sean Moorhouse's RBI knock to make it 4-0 in the second inning. 

MCLA got a run back on an RBI groundout from Antonio Archina in the bottom half of the second to close within 4-1.

The Owls would extend the lead again in the fourth on Casey Boudreau's RBI single to make it 5-1.

The Trailblazers would slice into the deficit with a pair of runs in the fifth inning.  Antonio Archina led off with a triple and would score on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.  Christian Seariac's RBI groundout scored Joe Toledo, who reached on an error to cut it to 5-3.

MCLA's Urbanski settled down nicely after the tough start, but the Owls finally got to him in the decisive eighth inning.  They loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk bringing Jake Gibb to the dish.  He was hit by a pitch and brought home Crowley to make it 6-3 and chased Urbanski in the process. 

The Owls would add two more runs on bases loaded walks to increase the margin to 8-3.  Casey Boudreau's single brought home the final two runs to increase the lead to 10-3.

MCLA would respond off the Owl bullpen when Dillon Maxon lofted a three run home run, his first in a Trailblazers uniform, to pull within 10-6 after eight innings of play.

Westfield's Alex Honey (3-0) earned the win tossing seven solid innings.  He allowed three runs (two earned) and scattered six hits.

Urbanski suffered the loss going seven innings and allowing 10 runs and 9 hits.