Reardon Leads Westfield Over Herndon 5-0
Westfield sophomore LHP Aaron Hoover pitched a gem on Friday night against the Herndon Hornets, allowing only two hits, striking out seven, and walking only one batter, enroute to the 5-0 shut-out...
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Westfield senior centerfielder Kevin Reardon is zeroed in at the plate, going 3-3 with 4 RBI's on Friday against the Herndon Hornets. Reardon was named the Best Buy Player of the Game on the Gameday Radio Network's Game of the Week.
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Herndon's senior shortstop, Stephen Kovarik, completes a double play in the 1st inning Friday night against Westfield. Kovarik was stellar with his defense in the loss for the Hornets.
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
CHANTILLY, VA - The last time the Westfield Bulldogs and the Herndon Hornets squared off on the diamond, at Herndon on April 13, the Bulldogs escaped with a 3-2 victory, and needed two runs in the top of the 7th inning to do so, after trailing 2-1 heading into that final frame.
The rematch Friday night saw the two teams heading in different directions. Since that scary April 13th night, Westfield rattled off 5 straight wins, all but one being close knit outcomes. The Hornets, on the other hand, have struggled to find their way, and have won only 3 of their last 6 contests. But Westfield head coach Chuck Welch was quick to caution prior to the game, "this is a scary team. These guys can hit!"
Westfield trotted out sophomore lefty Aaron Hoover, with Herndon countering with junior RH Daniel Shill on the mound. Hoover pitched a gem. After a scare in the 1st inning, with two long fly balls, deep to the centerfield fence, he would settle down and complete a two hit, seven strikeout night, blanking Herndon 5-0, and going the distance.
The scoring started early for the Bulldogs. In the top of the 2nd inning, senior SS Ryan Williams belted a lead-off home run over the tall centerfield screen, that the Herndon outfielder never even looked up at...knowing the ball was long gone as it left the infield. The Bulldogs scattered 3 more hits in the frame, by seniors Kevin Reardon, Nick Garifo, and sophomore Hayden Ferington, but after Reardon was caught stealing second, Shill induced a come-backer to the mound, and retired Westfield before any further damage could be made.
The Bulldog barrage began again in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Senior RF Cole McInturff led off with a seven pitch walk, and moved to second after Hoover lined to left. Williams loaded the bases with a line drive to left-center, and set the stage for Reardon, with two outs in the inning. After falling behind 0-2, Reardon blasted a double off of the left field fence, clearing the bases, putting the home team up 4-0. Shill then retired Garifo to retire the side.
After a scoreless 4th inning, the Bulldogs added some insurance in the bottom of the 5th...not that they needed it, as Hoover was now cruising. After junior 3B Aaron Scoville reached on an error, Williams hit into a fielders choice to SS Stephen Kovarik, but the double play relay to 1B was wide.
Senior 2B Tommy Verbanic followed with a sharp base hit to right-center field, allowing Williams to move to 3rd base. Reardon followed with an RBI single to right field, his 4th on the night. But that's all Westfield would plate in the frame, and the rest of the game, and the Bulldogs ended the night a perfect 10-0 in Concorde District play, with the 5-0 final score.
Both teams finish out their regular season play next week, prior to the Concorde District tournament set to begin on Monday, May 11. Herndon has one game remaining, at home, on Monday against Centreville. It will be Senior Night for the Hornets. Westfield has two more games to finish out.
They travel to Fairfax on Monday, and then return home on Wednesday to do battle with the Chantilly Chargers, who at press time trails Westfield by one game, and this outcome could decide the Concorde District regular season title. All game times are slated for a 6:30 1st pitch.
OTHER NOTEABLE PERFORMERS
HERNDON HORNETS
Nick Impellizzeri, Junior OF - 1-2; 2B
Chris Medina, Senior OF - 1-3; SB
Daniel Shill, Junior P - BB, SB
WESTFIELD BULLDOGS
Ryan Williams, Senior SS - 2-3; HR, 1-RBI, 3 Runs
Cole McInturff, Senior OF - 2 BB, 1 Run
Aaron Hoover, Sophomore LHP - 6 innings pitched, 2 hits, 0 runs, 7 K's, 1 BB
BEST BUY PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kevin Reardon - Senior OF, Westfield Bulldogs
Reardon accounted for 4 of the Bulldogs 5 runs on the night, going 3-3 (2 singles and a double), with 4 RBI's
