Xaverian rolls into semifinals
Connolly fires complete-game gem as Hawks handle Wamps
WESTWOOD — Xaverian’s postseason run so far looks an awful lot like its regular season.
Henry Fleckner and Liam Foley collected a pair of hits while John Connolly fired a complete game as No. 3 Xaverian cruised to a 7-2 victory over sixth-seeded Braintree in the Div. 1 South quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon in Westwood.
The Hawks (14-1), who lost just a single game during the regular season, have now outscored their two tournament opponents by a combined score of 15-5.
“John pitched great today. He’s been awesome for us all year just pounding the zone,” said Matt Brinker, who caught Connolly. “We were ready to go and can’t wait to get back out there Friday.”
Xaverian will now host No. 7 Taunton in the Div. 1 South semifinals Friday night. The Tigers walked off Walpole in the opening round before upsetting second-seeded Bridgewater Raynham on Wednesday.
“Connolly was a strike machine,” Braintree coach Bill O’Connell said. “We were able to put the ball in play consistently but they have a terrific defense. All the credit to Xaverian.”
Connolly was efficient throughout most of his outing, consistently keeping his fastball down in the zone to go with quality command of a curveball. The right-hander threw 91 pitches, surrendered just one earned run on three hits, and did not issue a free pass.
The Hawks instantly pounced on Wamps starter Chase Cahill in the bottom of the first. Fleckner singled and Foley and Brinker both walked before Ryan Douglas laced a two-run single to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Moments later, Cam Grindle doubled Xaverian’s advantage with a two-run hit into the left-center field gap that pushed the Hawks’ lead to 4-0.
After Connolly recorded his second 1-2-3 inning to begin the ballgame, Xaverian’s offense went back to work.
Fleckner and Foley once again reached, Brinker lofted a sacrifice fly, and then Connolly helped himself with an RBI single to left to give Xaverian a 6-0 lead.
Braintree (13-5) scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but Foley countered with an RBI single to keep Xaverian in front 7-2.