Toro delivers walk-off hit
WORCESTER – Still alive. Down two runs and standing three outs away from being eliminated from the American Legion Northeast Regionals, Upper Deck Post 14 mounted a serious charge that culminated in a walk-off win Friday. First baseman Nick Toro capped off the mad dash to the finish line with an RBI single that came after Franklin, Mass. issued an intentional walk to load the bases with two down.
With two down and facing a 1-0 count, Toro singled through the left side to score Andrew Mastin with the game-winning run in a 4-3 triumph that sends Upper Deck to the weekend portion of the regional that’s taking place at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. The thrilling comeback sets up a Saturday contest that will either take place at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.
Things were looking bleak for Upper Deck which trailed 3-1 through 6½ innings and only had two hits up until that point. The rally in the home portion of the seventh started with Post 14 loading the bases with no outs. Michael Clapprood started things off with a base hit followed by a walk to Charlie Tarara and a single by Luke Plumer. Back-to-back field choices by Anthony Martin and Mastin produced runs that tied the game at 3-3. Three batters later, Toro came through and helped Post 14 to see another day.
Michael Bradshaw started for Post 14 and provided six innings of tworun (one earned) ball. He allowed nine hits while striking out two and walking a pair. The righty gave way to Nathan Kelly, who allowed a run in the seventh but was credited as the winning pitcher.
Franklin took a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth before Upper Deck got on the scoreboard courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Tarara that scored J.J. Sanzi. Franklin pushed across another run in the seventh but ended up stranding nine baserunners.
Plumer collected two of Upper Deck’s five hits.