New Britain herald., 1928-09-17
WEST ENDS WIN OUT FOR
TITLE IN CITY LEAGUE
More Than 1900 Fans Witness to Battle ut Walnut
Hill Park-Carlson Outpitches Blanchard But Is
On Short End of Winners Score Their Tai
lies In First Inning Spectacular Catches Feature
Thrilling Contest - Pirates Unable to Hit In the
Pinches.

After bitter contest that was
filled with brilliant fielding and SUI
perb pitching, the West Ends cap
tured the championship of the City
baseball league for 1928 by nosing
out the Pirates Saturday afternoon
at Walnut Hill park by 2 to l
score. The battle was witnessed by
a crowd of 1900 and the fans were
treated to one of the best games
played in this city this season. The
game was played in an hour and
35 minutes. Both teams were even
ly matched and as predicted before
the game, the breaks" decided the
issue.
"Huggy" Carlson was on the
mound for the Pirates while
Blanchard threw them for the win
ners. Although Carlson was forced
to accept the short end OF the score,
he outpitched Blanchard through
out the battle. Carlson allowed the
West Ends only four hits and
struck out five. walking one.
Blanchard held the Pirates to FIVE
hits but was wild. walking five and
making five wild pitches. Blanch-
ard, however, offset his wildness by
on bases. The battle between the
pitching invincible ball with men on
bases. The battle between the two
pitchers was beautiful thing to
watch. both twirlers being aided by
the cloudy weather.
Two unfortunate breaks in the
first inning allowed the West Ends
to score two runs off Carlson. After
the first canto, Carlson pitched
'shutout ball and held the West
Ends to two singles. Both teams
accorded their pitchers wonderful
support and brilliant plays in the
latter part of the game by the West
Ends cut off Pirate rallies. Wojack
had great day at short for the
West Ends and made a beautiful
stop in the seventh inning with two
men on bases to draw Blanchard
out of a hole. The Pirates kept
men on bases in almost every in
ming but were unable to hit Blanch-
ard when hit would have broken
up the ball game.
The outfielders of the two teams
made number of sparkling
catches. Kelly raced to the ropes
in left field to smear Smiths long
drive while Zapatka and Matulis
made great catches in center and
right field. Begley covered short
in big league style making wonder
full stops.
The West Ends scored their only
two runs in the first inning. Basil
hit the first ball pitched by Carl
son for a single. Red" Campbell
forced him at second. Sreehan
walked, Campbell going to second.
At this point Wojack hit ground
er toward shortstop for what ap-
peared to be an easy double play.
At the last minute Carlson attempt
ed to field the ball. 1t glanced off
his glove into center field and
Campbell raced across the plate.
Sheehan attempted to go to third
on the play but Zapatka lined the
ball to Charlow and Sheehan was
caught between tho bases. He
darted back towards second and
was safe when Charlow's throw hit
him in the elbow. The ball bound
ed into right field and Sheehan
went to third. Cormier then hit q
weak grounder down to first and
Sheehan scored with what later
proved to be the winning run.
The Pirates put man as far as
third in the first inning but were
unable to score. Begley opened up
the game by grounding to Sheehan
who let the ball 60 through his
legs. Charlow sacrificed and Begley
reached second. 1t was close play
at first. Weir famed. Begley rae
ed to third when Blanchard made
wild pitch. Zapatka was victim
was left stranded.
In the second inning Matuiis
walked with one away but Smith
hit into double play, Sheehan to
Wojack to G. Campbell. G. Camp
bell reached first in the last half of
the second on an error by Charlow
but Carlson retired the next three
batters in succession.
| The Pirates put Blanchard in
| trouble again in the third but were
unable to score. Yankaskas open
ed the session with an intield hit
down the third base line. Mangan
sacrificed him to second. Begley
hit liner towards Wojack and
| Yankaskas was declared out for in
reference. Begley promptly stole
second but Charlow grounded out
to Wojack. Red" Campbell singled
to open the last half of the third
| but was left stranded by his mates
In the fourth the Pirates had a
good chance to take the lead but
Blanchard again arose to the task
and held them to one run. Weir
pounded a screaming liner to CEN
ter. Blanchard made a wild pitch
Weir going to second. Zapatka fan
ned. Carlson rolled out to Blanch.