During last year’s state Babe Ruth tournament, Goffstown overcame an eight-run deficit to advance with a victory over Keene. This year, Goffstown made certain Keene didn’t return the favor.

Goffstown pounded Keene for 10 runs in the first inning and cruised to the 14-year-old Babe Ruth state tournament title on Saturday, July 26, with a 13-3 mercy-rule win in five innings.

“I would say that we were surprised to jump out to a 10-0 lead in the state championship game,” said Goffstown’s manager, Tony Shaw. “Obviously it took a lot of pressure off the kids. We hit the ball well and were very aggressive on the bases. It helped the kids relax a little.”

Shaw’s squad was aggressive from the first pitch, drawing two walks and stringing together four singles before Keene recorded an out; 10 of the first 11 Goffstown hitters scored runs.

Its runners stole nine bases in the first frame alone, with leadoff hitter Jake Glauser setting the tone. Glauser went 2-for-3 on the day with three stolen bases and three runs scored.

“We hadn’t played Keene this year, and last year they jumped out to an 8-0 lead on us,” said Shaw. “We knew after we turned the table last year that we wanted to keep being aggressive so they couldn’t do the same.”

Cleanup hitter Justin Macek was 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Ryan Smith chipped in four ribbies to pace a Goffstown offense that amassed 33 runs in three tournament games.

While the offense was impressive in the tournament run, the pitching staff allowed just five runs – two earned – in those three contests.

Ryan Beal pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and three unearned runs, fanning nine Keene batters in the process. “We got outstanding pitching throughout the tournament from our starters,” said Shaw, whose team held its opponents to a .140 batting average on eight hits. “We combined strong starting pitching and the ability to hit the ball and be very aggressive and smart when we did (reach base).”

Goffstown advanced to the final thanks to a 6-2 victory over Salem, although it needed a comeback.

Trailing 2-0, Goffstown scored one run in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth to advance, taking advantage of several walks and a wild pitch by Salem.

Tournament notes
After going 1-for-13 against Salem in the winners bracket finals, Gtown’s top three hitters were 8-for-14 with nine RBI against Keene.

Alex Wageling pitched a complete- game five-hitter against Salem, tossing 62 strikes among his 89 pitches for the win. He never faced more than four batters in an inning.

Kyle Bisceglia, Glauser, Beal, Connor Shaw and Dan Belleville keyed the five-run rally against Salem. Dylan Bisceglia and Macek were also perfect at the plate in the contest.

Belleville led the attack throughout the tourney with an .857 average and eight RBI, while Macek plated seven. Glauser hit .556 in the three games.