Contributed by: HCAM Television (Hopkinton Local Access)
The 1st seeded Hopkinton Hillers battled the 7th seeded Westwood Wolverines in the Division 2 South Sectional finals. The game took place at the home of the Brockton Rox, Campanelli Stadium.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Ben Mckenzie put the 1st run of the game on the board with a solo shot. Westwood struck back in the top of the 4th and took a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th the Hillers plated 3 runs courtesy of a 2 RBI single by Conor Kelly followed by an RBI double by Drew Rancatore. The Hillers took their 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 6th and added 3 more runs, Tommy Ambrosone was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and then Conor Kelly struck again with a 2 RBI single to make it a 7 to 2 game.
Kevin McDonald hit a 2 run homer with 2 outs in the top of the 7th, but Brendan Kelly struck the following hitter out to claim the 7 to 4 Hillers win and help the Hillers advance to their 1st State Championship since 2004. Ben McKenzie went 1 for 3 with the solo homer and scored 2 runs. Steve Simoes went 1 for 2 with a pair of walks and scored 2 runs. Conor Kelly went 3 for 4 at the plate with 4 RBI’s and scored a run. Brendan Kelly pitched the complete game giving up 2 earned-runs and struck out 7.
The Division 2 State Championship will take place Thursday June 20th at Alumni Field in Lowell. The Hillers will face North Champion, St. Mary’s. the game will start at 7pm.
View highlights of the Hillers Sectional Championship victory over Westwood below!