Stoughton Legion Baseball Overcomes Early Deficit in Come-From-Behind Win

The following was submitted to Stoughton Patch:

The Stoughton Legion Post 89 baseball team overcame and early 4-1 deficit on the road to defeat Milton (Post 114) 7-6 on Friday night to move to 2-2 on the season.   

Jovani Pires overcame a rocky first 2 innings  where he surrendered 5 runs, to pitch solidly through the 5th inning.  

"Pires had good velocity tonight but had a little trouble with his release point in the early going and left some balls up in the zone that Milton hit hard.  Once he adjusted and got the ball down, he was rock solid," stated Mananger Jim Derochea.  

"He's a competitor and he kept us in the game and gave us a chance to battle back."

And Stoughton did just that, erasing an early 4-1 deficit to pull even after 2 innings.  

Stoughton fell behind 5-4 and later 6-5, but each time answered right back to tie the game.   

After tying the game at 6-6, Post 89 turned to ace, Mike Gallagher, to shut the door.  Gallagher retired the side in order in the 6th inning, striking out two Milton batters. 

Stoughton plated the eventual winning run in the top of the 7th as Will McGrath ripped a leadoff single to center field. Gallagher looked to sacrifice McGrath to second, but instead laid down a perfect bunt which he beat out easily to put runners on first and second with none out. 

After Stoughton couldn't get another sacrifice bunt down, Stoughton stayed aggressive as they pulled off a double steal.  The throw to third base skipped into left field allowing McGrath to score easily to give Stoughton a 7-6 lead.   

In the bottom of the 7th, Milton managed a one out bloop single, but Gallagher slammed the door to secure the victory for Stoughton. Gallagher earned the victory, striking out 4 in his 2 scoreless innings of work. 

All nine batters in the Post 89 lineup had a hit as Stoughton pounded out 11 hits in total.  Will McGrath and Jamie Connors each chipped in a par of hits and leadoff hitter, Pat Jackman, had 2 RBI to help pace the offense.  

"This was a solid team win," praised Coach Kevin McCormick.  "When every batter contributes at least one hit and 7 different guys score a run, that's balance!"

The win over Milton was a bounce back performance after falling to Braintree Wednesday at home.

Stoughton lost to Braintree Post 89 by a score of 7-3.  Again, walks plagued Stoughton as 4 of the 7 runners that scored for Braintree all reached via walks.  

Zach Gibb and Kaleb Ballou each had 2 hits for Stoughton and Pat Raeke threw 2 scoreless innings in relief for Stoughton.

Stoughton travels to Quincy's Adams Field on Saturday afternoon for a 1 p.m. tilt before returning home to face Weymouth at home Sunday at 5:45 p.m.