Note: Both games are on Thursday August 8. They will be broadcast on NESN.
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| Courtesy of LISPN.Com |
New England Semifinal #1
No. 3 Lincoln (RI) (3-1) vs. No. 2 South Burlington (VT) (3-1)
This matchup all hinges on who Lincoln starts. If its Kyle Marrapese, they're the favorite in this one. If they try and save their ace for Connecticut in the final, then I think they're in trouble. Vermont is not a fluke. This team is legit with some big time arms and bats. South Burlington shut Lincoln down in its 8-1 victory with Sammy Premsagar on the mound. He is ineligible because of that performance. However, SBLL has Ben Tate. He has semifinal experience from last year when South Burlington pushed Fairfield American (CT) to eight innings.
Marrapese has only thrown two innings in the regional.
This game feels like a toss up either way. I'm going to guess that Lincoln goes with Marrapese, gets a big hit or two and pulls out a close one.
Interesting Stat: Vermont has just three extra base hits. Rhode Island has 16.
Prediction: Lincoln 5, South Burlington 3
New England Semifinal #2
No. 4 Saco (ME) (1-3) vs. No. 1 Westport (CT) (4-0)
Westport hasn't been challenged at all in the regional due to its dominant pitching. With each of its top pitchers available, Westport has a lot of options in the matchup with Saco. Maine on the other hand is going with one of its top pitchers in Luke Chessie. Brogan Searle-Belanger is unavailable, so Chessie will need to be on.
When Westport hits, they're unbeatable in New England. Chessie is a very good starter, but Connecticut should be able to scratch some runs across. Whether Westport goes with Chad Knight (who threw a perfect game against Maine), Harry Azadian, or a combination of the two... Westport has a serious advantage.
Interesting stat: Westport's staff ERA is just 1.57, and its staff WHIP is 0.91
Prediction: Westport 7, Saco 1
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