The Athol Bears entered the MIAA Division 5 preliminary round as the 29th seed, facing a familiar foe in Norfolk County Agricultural. Both teams came into the game with modest records, but the stakes were high: a win would send the Bears to face fourth‑seeded Drury in the Round of 32.
A Thrilling Turnaround
Norfolk County struck first, opening the scoring with a 1‑0 lead in the top of the first inning. Athol answered quickly, plating three runs in the bottom of the first to take an early edge, but the Rams rallied in the second, extending their lead to 4‑3.
The contest swung back and forth, featuring a five‑run sixth inning that put Athol ahead, only for Norfolk to respond with an 11‑10 advantage in the seventh after Cayden Bruce’s RBI double. The game remained alive until Eli Wein’s fielder’s choice tied the score and sent it into extra innings.
Athol’s composure shone in the eighth. Alex Lavigne delivered a clutch RBI single, and Dominik St. Andre crossed the plate on a sacrifice that turned a 10‑10 tie into a 12‑11 victory. The walk‑off sacrifice not only secured the win but also highlighted the team’s resilience after trailing 9‑4 earlier in the game.
Pitching was a cornerstone of the triumph. Ethan Heuer opened on the mound, delivering two innings with five strikeouts before handing the ball to Alex Lavigne, who closed out the game with two shutout innings and two strikeouts, preserving the lead.
Key contributions came from a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent. Enyert Arias Cepeda’s speed on the basepaths proved decisive, while Oliver Johnson’s steady hitting complemented the offense. The Bears finished the game with 14 hits, including multi‑hit performances from Wein, St. Andre, and Arias Cepeda.
With the victory locked, Athol prepares to travel to face Drury, a team that finished the regular season ranked fourth in the division. The upcoming matchup promises another test of the Bears’ newfound depth and their ability to execute under pressure.
Other Tournament Highlights
Beyond baseball, the tournament saw other notable performances. Mahar Regional’s softball squad rolled past Lee, 14‑7, behind strong hitting from Carly Paluk and Lilah Paluk, while Frontier’s boys tennis team fell 3‑2 to Sturgis Charter School West after a marathon match by Xavier Fripp.