Loss in D1 state semifinal doesn't diminish the four-year run for Leominster

LYNN — The Leominster High baseball team exhibited energy, enthusiasm and encouragement from the first to the last pitch in its Division 1 state semifinal matchup with BC High.

But once the final out was made, thwarting a seventh-inning rally, the Blue Devils were overcome with emotion after their 3-2 loss to the Eagles on Tuesday night in a Division 1 state semifinal at Fraser Field.

“It’s a special group,” senior Angel Baez said. “These past four years we just competed. This team is special. I’ll miss these guys, man.”

The fifth-seeded Blue Devils finished 19-3, while top-seeded BC High (19-5) advanced to meet No. 2 St. John’s (20-4) in an all-Catholic Conference final at 6 p.m. Saturday at Polar Park.

The setback capped a four-year run in which the Blue Devils reached the Division 1 state final in 2021, finished first in the Mid-Wach A three times and captured three Central Mass. Class A championships while going 70-15.

“I told them I know it hurts, and I know it’s over for a lot of the seniors, but the seniors should really reflect on how good the last four years have been,” coach Rich Barnaby said.

“So don’t let the bounce of a baseball or one play against a really good BC High team take away from the legacy that they left with Leominster baseball where every time we step on the field we expect to win.”

In addition to Baez, the senior class also included four-year starting shortstop Nick Massa, three-year starting catcher Zack Casey, and reserves Jacob Paskell, and Domenic Swaine.

The Blue Devils trailed, 1-0, entering the fourth when they scored twice to take the lead.

Sophomore Mark Garner led off with a booming triple to deep right and scored on an ensuing, hard-hit single by Massa. Baez followed with a single, and then Casey drove a first-pitch offering to left to drive in Massa.

Those were the Blue Devils’ only four hits of the game, although they did draw five walks and had a hit batter. Double plays stymied them in the fourth and sixth innings.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” Barnaby said. “It was just a good high school baseball game. I think maybe they made one more play or got one more big hit, and that was the difference.

“I have a lot of respect for (coach) Steve (Healy) and his program. Those guys play hard. Their pitcher really completed.”

BC High ace Liam Kinneen, who is headed to Princeton, went six innings, allowing the aforementioned four hits, issuing three walks and striking out seven. Fellow senior right-hander Charlie Bushley walked two in the seventh and stranded the tying run at third with a game-ending strikeout.

Baez, who is bound for Division 2 power Southern New Hampshire University, went the distance for the Blue Devils. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound righty allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out eight. He picked off two runners, threw three wild pitches and hit a batter during his 105-pitch outing.

The Eagles regained the lead with two runs in the fifth, both coming on opposite-field hits to right with two out.

“He pitched well enough to win and had a good day offensively,” Barnaby said of Baez, who had a hit, a walk and was robbed of a hit by a terrific defensive play by senior third baseman Cole Bohane in the second. “He’s as good as it gets.”

—Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @RichGarvenTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Loss in D1 state semifinal doesn't diminish the four-year run for Leominster