Warriors win 1-0 on Sanders home run

GABE SANDERS gets a hold of one for a solo shot in the 5th inning against Melrose on Saturday. It was the only run of the game as the Warriors beat Melrose 1-0 at Walsh Field. (Katherine Cruise Photo)

Published in the May 15, 2018 edition.

By NOAH GREIF

WAKEFIELD — On Saturday, only a day after their tough loss to Watertown, the Warriors came back clutch to defeat Middlesex Freedom division rival, the Melrose Red Raiders. Wakefield won 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel and with some timely hitting.

Southpaw Robert Shaw had one of his best starts of the season. The senior pitched a complete game shutout, only giving up four hits and striking out ten. While Shaw gave up six walks, he easily erased the baserunners with some pitches that caught Melrose sleeping.

Head coach Kevin Canty spoke highly of his starting pitcher, saying “Shaw was able to throw first pitch strikes and get ahead in the count. That is where he was at his best, being able to control the at-bat. Even when he faced trouble early in the game, he was able to settle down.”

After an erratic day in the field against Watertown, the Warriors looked sharp against Melrose, not committing a single error. The stellar play in the field was one of the key factors in the win, with Shaw being able to get out of some innings with clutch plays. In the fifth inning, Wakefield made a great play to get the first out, with a Melrose runner being tagged in a pickle by Cole Kraus, after he tried to steal.

Canty contributed the team’s effort in the field to, “Our motivation and drive to work every day. Even when we can’t win, we always learn something we need to do going forward.” Based on that, it was clear to see Wakefield’s drive to bounce back, and they know how to continue that momentum.

The Warriors’ offense was limited by Melrose’s pitcher, with the team only getting five hits. They couldn’t put a good string of hits together, leaving six runners on base.

The play of the game came at the plate, in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Gabe Sanders crushed a home run to left, leaving Wakefield with all the energy and momentum in the game.

“Gabe had been struggling the past couple of games, so it was really nice to see him bounce back with that big hit for us,” said Canty. 

Chris Coombs, Tommy Mottl, Jake Nardone and Brendan Coughlin were also able to tally hits for Wakefield.

Wakefield now sits at 6-5, and looks to continue their momentum. The Warriors have a second chance to take down Melrose tomorrow at Morelli Field and then head back home on Thursday to face Stoneham. Wakefield has a lot of things to look forward to this week, and they have the energy and fight to back it up.