Stoughton's 14/15 B Team Comes Up Short in Bid for Hockomock Summer Baseball Title

The Stoughton summer baseball season has concluded and again the town’s teams did us all proud.

The town was represented from ages 8-18 at the ‘A’ (American) and ‘B’ (National) level. The 9-12 age groups were considered the junior age leagues and 13-18 were considered senior age leagues and played on the big diamond.

Teams from ages 9 and up played in the Hockomock Baseball Summer League. All the teams had fun and enjoyed success, playing a 12-game schedule over the past month. 

The 14-15 B team captured the regular season championship, but fell short in its quest for a postseason title with a loss in the semifinal round.

The team was coached by Mike Sammarco, who is considered the “Godfather of Stoughton Babe Ruth Baseball.” Sammarco has now completed his 41st season of coaching. He, along with a great supporting cast, also maintains the fields. Sammarco was helped by Assistant Coaches Tim Tullis and Dan Gover.

Stoughton finished atop the eight-team field with a 9-2-1 record. The team outscored its opponents, 130-79, averaging close to eleven runs per game and completing the season a half game ahead of second place Sharon (9-3).

Stoughton got a bye in the first round of the playoffs before hosting Walpole on Wednesday. Walpole was seeded fifth with a 6-6 record and advanced to the semifinals with a 12-2 win over Attleboro.

Unfortunately, for Stoughton, Walpole seemed to be peaking at the right time and again put on an offensive show, abruptly ending Stoughton’s season with a 12-1 win.

It was the worst showing for Stoughton all season and came at the most inopportune time, but it still can’t detract from a otherwise successful season.

“We never beat ourselves and every player on the roster contributed and helped us win at least one game,” Sammarco said.

“Our main strength is that we didn’t have any superstar and we were very balanced and played well together. It was a great bunch of young men and it was a lot of fun.”

The 14-man roster was headed by Sean Ellertson. Ellertson was the lead-off batter and shortstop, and had an exceptional year both at the plate and in the field. TJ Tullis was a solid pitcher and displayed his versatility as one of the team’s top hurlers and usually hit in the second spot.

Tyler Bates was often found batting third and had a solid year at the plate and in left field and first base. The cleanup hitter, Michael Sabanty, was also one of the aces of the pitching staff.

John Cresswell played first base and right field. John Eppenstein was another talented pitcher and also played the outfield.

The remainder of the roster included; Jim Gover, who manned the hot corner over at third base; Lucas DeAndrade at first base; Tyler Hardy in right field; Garrett McCormick and Derek Faria in the outfield.

Cam Williams was the catcher and did a great job behind the plate. Malachi Baugh played a strong centerfield and David Elmowitz patrolled the second base position.

While the 14-15B team had a disappointing ending to a great season, this was a very talented and versatile roster of players who represented Stoughton well.

Check back in the coming days for more photos of the 14/15 B squad, as well as pictures of the other senior and diamond division teams (age 13-18).