Northampton Legion Post 28 loses season-ending tournament game to Milford Post 59
The team finished its best season under coach Adam Krol with a 14-7 record and a state tournament appearance for the first time in nine years.
Northampton Legion Post 28 fell to Milford Post 59 in a 24-5 elimination game at the Senior State Legion Baseball tournament on Sunday afternoon at Fino Field in Milford. Milford scored five runs in the first inning and added 12 more in the second to build a 17-0 lead after two innings, with the game ending after five innings due to the run-rule margin.
The lopsided loss marked the end of what coach Adam Krol called the team's best season under his leadership. Post 28 finished with a 14-7-0 overall record and qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2017.
Northampton starter Andrew Gagne pitched 1 1/3 innings and gave up eight runs. Tom Moore, Matt Vassallo, Carter Styspeck and J.J. Scanlon-Dean pitched in relief.
Milford's early offensive surge was helped by Northampton's defensive struggles and walks. "We got down early, we weren't able to make some plays and it kind of was a snowball effect," Krol said. "It's not indicative of our season or the character of our team. Sometimes you get beat."
Krol praised the team's character despite the defeat. "There's nothing like our Post 28 family," he said. "It's a blessing to represent the community with this group of young men. It's really something special."
Post 28's tournament began Saturday with a 6-0 loss to Sandwich Post 188. James Lavallee took the loss after pitching four innings and allowing five runs. Harry LaFlamme pitched two innings and gave up one run. Carter Styspeck, Matt Vassallo and J.J. Scanlon-Dean had Northampton's three hits in that game.