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By Mark Andrick
PBR NE Scout

PBR New England is eagerly anticipating bringing the New England states the best high school coverage throughout the region.

We will have the 2016 Scout Blog, Spotlight Games, Inside the Recruitment Articles, Unsigned Senior Spotlights, The Recruiting Trail, All-State Selections, Full Coverage of the State Tournaments as well as numerous other articles throughout the spring.

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PBR New England Spotlight Game: Groton School vs Belmont Hill

An outstanding game by both teams came to an end in the 8th inning as the Zebras of Groton School were able to defeat Belmont Hill 4-2.

Freshman RHP Shane Kim went the distance for Groton and despite allowing a bunch of base runners (4 hits, 6 walks, 1 hbp) was effective with the help of a solid defense.

On the other side, senior RHP Armand DiFillipo was outstanding after the 1st inning and finished with 9 strikeouts but his teammates could not help him out enough offensively to get it done.

Senior second baseman Ward Betts had the big hit in the 8th that put the Zebras on top; it was the third time he reached base on the day to pace the offense.

Groton took advantage of a shaky start for DiFillipo out of the gate.

Sophomore center fielder Jay Montima was hit by a pitch on a full count to start the game and after a strikeout, he stole second. Betts then singled to left, putting runners on the corners with one out. After another out, Betts stole second and both runners would score on a two-run single to right by junior left fielder Eddie Uong to put Groton on top 2-0.

Belmont Hill would answer with a run in their half of the 1st.

Junior catcher Brendan Rocha led off with a walk and classmate Robert Cronin had a perfect bunt single down the third base line, however Rocha attempted to make it to third and was nailed. Cronin would steal second and with two outs he would score on a single by sophomore first baseman Bryan Gotti, cutting the lead to one.

DiFillipo was dominate for the next six innings, allowing just one single out of the infield, three in all and one walk. He was pumping the strike zone and it seemed only a matter of time that his team would put up some runs against the freshman pitcher.

Belmont Hill hit a bunch of balls hard against Kim but they were right at the Zebras defense, which was flawless in the game with two double plays, including one to end the game.

DiFillipo started the 4th with a double and moved to third one a ground out with just one out. However, a sharp line out and a ground out ended the threat and the game remained 2-1 until the bottom of the 6th.

Again leading off the inning, DiFillipo continued to help his own cause by drawing a walk. He would again move up a base on a ground out to the right side and following a fly out, he remained at second with two outs. Freshman center fielder Evan Sleight then laced a line drive to right then one hopped the fence, bringing home DiFillipo to tie the score.

Neither team managed anything in the 7th, so it was onto extra innings.

Montima started the 8th by reaching on an error at third, on a throw that pulled Gotti slightly off the base, a debatable call.

He then stole second and one batter later it was Betts lining one to right, scoring Montima on another close play at the plate, giving the Zebras the 3-2 advantage.

Betts then stole his second base of the game and moved to third after another error. Uong followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Betts and giving Groton the 4-2 lead that would never change.

Belmont Hill would manage one baserunner in the 8th but Kim shut the door and induced the game ending double-play to give his club the victory.