MILFORD — Sandwich Post 188 kept its Massachusetts American Legion Baseball State Tournament run alive Monday afternoon, outlasting Beverly Post 331 4-3 in 10 innings in a thrilling elimination game at Fino Field.
The victory sends Sandwich into another elimination game, where it will face the winner of Monday night’s winners bracket showdown between Franklin Post 75 and Hyde Park Post 78. Beverly’s season comes to an end with the loss.
The two teams traded blows throughout the afternoon. Beverly broke a scoreless tie with a run in the fourth inning before Sandwich answered with two runs in the sixth to take its first lead of the game. Beverly responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth to even the score at 2-2.
Neither team could break through over the seventh inning, forcing the game into extras. In the top of the 10th, Sandwich capitalized with two runs to take a 4-2 advantage. Beverly answered with one run in the bottom half but could get no closer as Sandwich held on for the victory.
Arty Figuerido paced the Sandwich offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while William Johnson collected two hits and drove in a run. R.J. Delcourt added two hits, and Connor Oliver crossed the plate once.
On the mound, Kobi Polisky earned the win after tossing five innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out two. Eli Bryant closed out the final five innings, surrendering one unearned run while striking out three to earn the save.
Beverly finished with nine hits, led by Michael Murphy, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Mark Bettencourt added a pair of hits, while Ethan Waybret, Matthew Stuart, and Shea Christel each contributed a hit in the losing effort.
Sandwich now turns its attention to another win-or-go-home contest against the winner of Franklin vs. Hyde Park, with a berth deeper into the state tournament on the line.
