Windham Little League’s Beacon Environmental ousts Westbrook

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Little League Juniors team Beacon Environmental defeated Westbrook, 5-2, at Windham Middle School on Monday, June 29.

Windham eighth grader Colton Kalakowsky hits a pitch
into left field during a Windham Little League Beacon
Environmental Juniors baseball game against Westbrook
at Windham on Monday, June 29.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Late in the game, Windham led, 3-2, but a single from seventh grader Jacoby Penney followed by an inside-the-park homerun from eighth grader Colton Kalakowsky cleared the bases. In the top of the seventh inning, Westbrook hit the ball to eighth grader Alex McGonagle who nabbed an incoming runner on his way to third base and then made the throw in time to eighth grader Noah Toothaker at first base for a double play as Windham claimed the victory.

“We take every game one at a time,” said Windham Little League Beacon Environmental coach Charlie Reiniger. “Coming off a loss, we talked to the kids about bouncing back as a team and doing the little things like cheering for each other, picking each other up, getting the balls that go (out of bounds), it’s all these little things that culminate to a win like this. When you do the small things correctly, you are going to have better results on the field. I thought our fielding was really, really good today, pitching was fantastic for us and cheering for each other (went well). We have a mix of guys who are trying to become friends and learn to play together. We proved that we could win a game that was pretty good competition.”

The first inning saw Windham’s Kalakowsky walk, and eighth grader Cody Devoid singled. Eighth grader Nolan Harvie was hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded. Kalakowsky put Windham on the scoreboard when he scored on a passed ball. After another walk, Devoid scored and Windham led, 2-0.

In the top of the fourth inning, Westbrook tied the game 2-2.

Windham was quick to answer back as Harvie singled and eighth grader Eli Souther walked. Harvie then scored on a wild pitch.

Penney singled in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kalakowsky hit a ball deep to left field and both runners scored to give Windham the 5-2 lead.

“That pitch I saw was right down the middle and I just sent it,” said Kalakowsky. “Westbrook was a good team, it was a tough win, we did a great job pitching too. Our defense was great; being stronger at the plate (needs work).”

A ground out got the first out against Westbrook in the seventh inning. Eighth grader Max Inzerillo came in to pitch for McGonagle who pitched most of the game and had eight strikeouts. Two Westbrook players got on base and then a ball was hit right to third baseman McGonagle who got the runner out and then made the throw to first baseman Toothaker for the double play.

“It was pretty fun pitching against them,” said Inzerillo. “I faced the top of the order; they had some pretty good hitters. I was a little nervous and calmed myself down by taking a few deep breaths to slow down a little bit. We pitched really well, played good defense, we attacked well and hit the ball well. We’ve got to be more disciplined ... at the plate.”

When Reiniger looks at this game, he sees more positives than negatives. The goal for the group is to come together, have fun and make the playoffs at the end of the season. Reiniger said it’s all about the players. His assistant coaches and he make sure the players know they are there for them and will support them.<