Foxborough High School Baseball Suffers Loss to Mansfield, 7-0

One inning can make a difference. One inning can decide a game and give a team a win no matter what else happens. Unfortunately, Foxboro learned that the hard way. Giving up 6 runs in the 1st inning, the Warriors suffered a 7-0 loss to their rivals the Mansfield Hornets.

Warriors pitcher Nolan Clagg struggled from the beginning. Looking shaky against Mansfield’s batters, the young sophomore was rattled by the Hornet’s batters.

“They had 6 runs on 3 hits. We’re not going to beat anyone if we’re giving them free bases either by hitting batters, walking people, or making errors,” said Warriors coach Billy Sittig.

Mansfield got on the board off of a bases loaded walk to put the Hornets up 1-0. Alex DeSimone singled to drive in Bobby Brunelle to make it 2-0. Hornets second baseman Tom Brady also tried to score from 2nd but was called out at the plate. 

Despite preventing a run from getting in, the Hornets scoring attack would not be denied. With bases loaded and only 1 out, Bobby Brunelle smashed a grand slam to give the Hornets a 6-0 lead that they would not give up.  The early rally would prove to be important to the Hornets because they would score only 1 more run in the rest of the game.

“Thankfully we got those 6 runs in the first because we only scored 1 run after that. We’ve been off for about a week and half. That was a good way to come out so it worked out all right,” said Mansfield coach  Tim Graham.

It was a rough day for the Warriors. One of the few highlights came from catcher Jimmy Flaherty who went 2-3 at the plate.  

Getting the grand slam, Bobby Brunelle led the Hornets going 1-3 with 4 RBIs, and a run.  David Eberhart went 2-4 with a run and a RBI.

With the rain canceling most of this weeks games, the Warriors have not had many chances to get on the field and play. Despite this, coach Sittig is not using this as an excuse.

“One of our better games we played yesterday (against Bishop Feehan) so I think it wasn’t rust. It was a matter of them jumping on us from the beginning,” he said.

With the win, the Hornets will advance to the MIAA South Sectional Tournament. The Warriors will get another chance at a shot at the postseason. The Warriors game vs. Bishop Feehan was suspended after 5 innings, tied 4-4 yesterday. A win against Bishop Feehan will earn them a spot in the state tournament.

They will face Sharon on Saturday May 21st  in a makeup game. Game time is set for 11:00am at Sharon High School.  Mansfield will also be back on the diamond tomorrow morning against Attleboro. Game time is set for 10:00am at Attleboro High School.